Want to quit my job, help please!!

Published

Hello,

I've been a CNA for about two months now. Alot of people say that getting to know the residents are a plus in this kind of work. Well, I have this one resident in predictular(spelling) who doesn't even want me to give me a chance. I think I messed up on doing something with her and now shes holding a grudge against me. I said that I really care for her and that I want to be able to help her off the commode. She said something like, "I don't care if I have to sit on this commode all day, I don't need your help." So basically I was supposed to get someone else. This broke my heart and I almost cried. It screwed up the rest of my work day and I even had trouble going to sleep that night. This pretty much started on my first week of the job. I don't know how I did it but I managed to get through about six more weeks of work. Everytime I see her, I would get chills down my spine because I knew she don't like me, Anyway, I slowely started to earn her trust back during that time frame. I kept trying and I didn't give up and finially she gave in and allowed me to help her. When I was finished, I walked out of that room with a big smile and I was really happy. That was about a few days ago. Today I was wiping her up after she was finished with the commode and all she did was urinate. She claimed that I was only wiping her sides and not the middle. I knew I was getting everything, I used four wipes and they all came out clean. Aparently I did something wrong and now shes going back to her old self. She told a co-worker to tell me that she doesn't want my help for anything anymore during supper time. My work day went straight down hill from there and im sure I'm gonna lose some sleep over this tonight. I wanted to quit again today. I already talked to my supervisor about this but all they tell me is to pass her to another aid. I'm not really happy at my job. This might sound like something small to most of you but its a big deal for me. What should I do? Am I just stupid and I'm making a big deal out of this? Any response to give me some comfort would be appreciated. I plan on job searching tomarrow.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

Wow - sounds so familiar ! I've worked as an LNA for 13 years and I've met many patients like this. It can be so hard to go to work each day knowing that you will face that. It's not a reflection on you. If it was, none of the patients would want to work with you. Sometimes you remind the patient of someone from their past they didn't like, or maybe she's just the kind of person who enjoys seeing the effect her scorn has on you. Speak to your supervisor about this if possible. Let them know that this patient often refuses your help and work out a strategy to deal with it. Maybe she'll be assigned to another aid, or have it explained to her that if she wants help, she's going to have to work with you and be civil about it. Either way, it's probably best that YOU say something before she gives people the impression that you are doing something terrible to her. Keep your chin up and hang in there and all those other annoying platitudes. LOL

Hope things work out for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How did you deal with that when you were faced with that situration? What was your strategy to set things right? Right now I'm finding it very difficult to deal with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN- Med/surg.

You're always going to have pt's/residents that don't like you. It just happens. Move past it.

When I was an aid I had a resident that brought me to tears more than once. I had been a CNA for 5 years..and should have KNOWN not to let it bother me- but she just didn't like me. If you're truly giving good care..and it's just a personality thing..don't let it get to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Chances are this resident is like this to other aids in the past.

Don't quit you are needed in this field.

Remember these residents are in a place that they don't want to be- no one chooses to be in a nursing home- maybe their relatives don't call or come to see them that much and remember they don't feel well-

and they have loss their indepence -

Just smile and do your best- :bowingpur

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Assistant.

I'm sure that most if not all aides have experienced this from a patient in the past. It's all part of the job. I had a patient one time refuse care from me because I had her walk into the bathroom and would not let her use the bedpan (she was 7 days post-op). It is going to happen, but try not to let it bother you. Don't allow one bad apple to ruin the bunch. There are those patients out there who do appreciate all you do for them!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

I think the most important thing for me was like the old deoderant comercial. "Never let em' see you sweat." Even if you feel angry and out of control if you present a calm face and a calm voice the situation isn't as likely to escelate. It also takes alot of the fun out of it if the patient is behaving this way on purpose to get a rise out of you. Know yourself and your own worth. Do your job in a way that makes YOU proud of yourself and to heck with those who want to bring you down.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

EVERYONE has at least one patient they don't get along with. This just happens to be your first. Don't let it get to you. Ask the other aides how they handle her and if necessary do some trading with the other aides so you aren't assigned to her care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well everyone has said what I thought and more. The fact of the matter is its going to be many residents or pt's that arent going to be very friendly. I agree with littlebitark, many residents are not always feeling well and have lost their independents. As well as not in their right mind frame. Just imagine if you were in that state you may even begin to question god. So you have to not take it so personal. Just remember to be professional watch your residents non-verbal communication as well as when they speak. Allow yourself to be friendly and gentle with them. When they notice you are only there to help them they will soon turn around for you. Don't allow one resident to tear you down. You are a great CNA otherwise this wouldnt bother you how she treats you when you are giving good care to your ability. Stick in there and stay strong!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the replies so far. Are you guys/girls suggesting that I play her little game and avoid helping her? I realized that we are very, very short staffed and that I'm needed which is why I lasted as long as I did. I just hate it when I need to go to work and see her. I know that I shouldn't let this stuff bother me but I'm very emotional about it right now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.
Thanks for the replies so far. Are you guys/girls suggesting that I play her little game and avoid helping her? I realized that we are very, very short staffed and that I'm needed which is why I lasted as long as I did. I just hate it when I need to go to work and see her. I know that I shouldn't let this stuff bother me but I'm very emotional about it right now.

We can not say for certain that it is a game that she is playing. The fact is these are grown adults that are dealing with the fact that life isn't what it use to be. They've lost a LOT of control and trust issues happen, sometimes due to mistreatment by those that are suppose to be there to help, be it family, CNA's, or RNs. Also, how is her mental state? I've had patients that would yell at me one hour and tell everyone that I was the best aide there the next hour, go figure!!!

I'd say stick it out and learn how to deal with it. Most importantly, DO NOT take it personally!!! You just can't!! I'm in the hospital now as a nurse, and I can tell you...not all of my patients are pleasant, but for those that are mean/demanding..I just assume it is because they are not feeling well. Now, of course, some of them were not pleasant before being sick (I'M SURE), but it is easier to deal with if I just think that it is because they are not feeling their best.

I wish you all the best,

Jay

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

Some residents look at staff and some might remind them of someone from their past that they didn't like. When it happened to me I used to let them know that I was the only one available. I understand that some residents are very particular regarding cares and everything else. Try to look at it as the only power over their situation they have. If it gets bad, tell your nurse manager to assign someone else to care for her. After she goes through enough staff, they will probably have a talk with her. I'm sorry this is happening to you, it makes for a bad day. Please don't let it bother you after you leave the place. Punch out and leave it there. The more you suck up to her, the worse she will be.

My nursing instructor told us of a patient who was mean no matter how hard she tried. Finally on the last day my instructor asked her why she seemed to dislike her so much. Patient replied that my instructor reminded her of the woman her ex left her for.....:bugeyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion