Walkthrough before shift

[CelesteR903]

I really upset the CNA before me yesterday and I kinda feel bad but at the same time don't. When I got to work yesterday the weekend nurse told me to be sure to do a walk through because they were having hard time with the aide doing things that day. Walk through and it was the same things she ignores every single day. One resident wasn't laid down and was waiting by her bed to be laid down. Another who does not get up in the evenings was laid on her covers (even the nurses have told her not to do this). Our most combative resident was asleep in her chair and hadn't been changed. I pointed these out and even offered to help with the combative resident since she was a lift. While putting the resident down the aide flipped out on me. Started yelling that I was picking on her and we didn't have as much to do on the 2-10 shift so it didn't matter if we had to put a few people down when we got there. I tried to explain to her that things like that put us behind the whole rest of the day. Anyway I pretty much walked off after we finished that resident. She didn't do anything else but go to the time clock and cry about how mean I was to her. The nurse informed me that she had been doing that all day whenever someone asked her to do some work. Anyway during dinner one of the other aides on my shift jumped all over me for making her cry saying it wasn't in the combative residents careplan that she had to be laid down. I pointed out rather or not she had to be laid down didn't matter nearly as much as rather or not she needed to be changed and we couldn't do that sitting up. That aid shut up after that. I'm not looking forward to facing the aide before me today as she is still going around whining about how mean I am. I want to yell at her "The whole point of a walk through is to be sure everything is done!!!"

[Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN]

As long as you are there when you are supposed to be and are offering to help, then there shouldn't be a problem. There IS a lot to do on day shift and sometimes it's impossible to get everything done. When it comes to quitting time, I know I am ready to get out of there. It's her responsibility to get as much done as possible, but at least try to look at it from her perspective. That's why the next shift comes in to finish up what the previous shift didn't get to.

On the other hand, if they have been having problems with her then it isn't your fault if she has to stay a little late to help finish up. If it's consistently the same things over & over, then stand your ground and let her know what you expect of her. She will either start getting it done before you get there or find another hall to work on with someone who doesn't care as much. That kind of behavior is uncalled for. We're all adults. Woman up and get the job done.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

I've been on all sides of that issue before and it sucks no matter what. Yes, everyone should be accountable for their work, but there's no way of pushing for that accountability without offending people, especially since you don't know if the person was just being lazy, forgetful, or had an awful day. And chances are, given the nature of this job, they had an awful day.

I know how it is to have to tell the previous shift they need to do something before they leave. I'm pretty non-confrontational and would rather do it myself, but I don't enjoy getting picked on by the nurse or supervisor because of something that was not my responsibility because I "accepted the floor like that." I have also gotten really defensive when the next shift starts harping on something after I've spent a whole day working my tail off and picking up slack that OTHER PEOPLE, whether on my shift or not, have created. If something bothers you it's better to bring it up in a more relaxed way and say, "next time would you mind doing this or that because it's really hard on me when you don't." But when the nurses are bugging you about some issue and telling you that you have to make inspections and be the bad guy, just say, "I am asking you to do this before you leave or my nurse will be picking on me." Then it seems less like you're bossing them around and more like you're working as a team. If you think your approach is good but there's still a lot of drama at shift change and it's an ongoing thing, then the facility needs to make shift change more streamlined.

[northernguy]

The aide who flipped out does have one good point, 2-10 shift IS a lot easier shift. I dont know if you have ever worked the day shift, but if you have youd probably understand how annoying it would be to have the following shift nitpicking. If you complained to the nursing staff about the way things are when you come on, its a pretty safe bet the day shift aide is well aware of that, and therefore isnt going to be particularly keen on your advice or help, just sayin.

[caliotter3]

There is a difference between getting everything possible done and getting a reasonable amount done before the end of the shift. Sounds as if this CNA has attracted negative attention because she is not getting a minimum amount of work done. That is her problem, not your problem. Continue to do as you are told and tune her whining out. Tell her to go whine to her charge nurse if she needs to whine.

[Thujone]

You did your job, if you keep seeing things wrong then keep saying something about them, maybe she will eventually pick up that you are trying to help her and improve.

[kids]

The aide who flipped out does have one good point, 2-10 shift IS a lot easier shift. I dont know if you have ever worked the day shift, but if you have youd probably understand how annoying it would be to have the following shift nitpicking. If you complained to the nursing staff about the way things are when you come on, its a pretty safe bet the day shift aide is well aware of that, and therefore isnt going to be particularly keen on your advice or help, just sayin.

I've worked both day and evening shifts and I disagree that evenings is "a lot easier", evening ratios are typically higher and they don't have the support staff that day shift does. Regardless, people still need to be changed and laid down, evenings shouldn't have to come in and deal with the same issues left by the previous shift, day after day. The Aide's behavior throughout the day as reported by the day nurse just reinforces that she didn't want to do more than the minimum. One shift doesn't get to decide to dump stuff off on another shift just because they think they have time, if you aren't willing to do your job then quit.

While putting the resident down the aide flipped out on me. Started yelling that I was picking on her and we didn't have as much to do on the 2-10 shift so it didn't matter if we had to put a few people down when we got there. I tried to explain to her that things like that put us behind the whole rest of the day. Anyway I pretty much walked off after we finished that resident. She didn't do anything else but go to the time clock and cry about how mean I was to her. The nurse informed me that she had been doing that all day whenever someone asked her to do some work. Anyway during dinner one of the other aides on my shift jumped all over me for making her cry saying it wasn't in the combative residents careplan that she had to be laid down.

Did this yelling at you and jumping on you happen in front of residents?

If yes...Write. Them. Both. Up.

I don't care what the issues is, pulling that crap in front of residents is abusive.

Oh, and if the 'combative resident' often falls asleep in her chair after lunch, care plan her to be put down after lunch. It will also help ensure s/he isn't sitting wet for 3-4 hours.

[yousoldtheworld]

When it comes down to it, whatever shift you work, you are responsible for your residents being cared for. At my facility, 2nd shift is actually a lot harder than dayshift, as we have less staff, more showers, and limited time due to many of our residents being gone during the day.

I often come in at 2 p.m. to find the kids on my wing all soaked through, sitting in urine and bm. It is obvious that they have not been changed since they were gotten up that morning, usually between 5 and 7 a.m. This is completely unacceptable, and yes, I usually do say something to the charge nurse about it. I am not allowed to leave the floor at night unless my residents are in bed and changed. Similarly, the other shifts should have to follow the same rules, and if you don't do your job, you should be prepared to face the consequences.