What would you have done?

Straydandelion · Oct 28, 2008

I am assuming one petty thing maybe covers a lot of others also? I would suggest basically ignore, in my experience they will either eventually "settle down" or get in a lot of trouble on their own. :nuke:

SunnyAndrsn · Oct 28, 2008

By night needs--juices, sandwiches, etc?

We have a cart for this, perhaps this might be a solution?

She sounds like a real pain, I've noticed before that the non-nursing staff at our facility is very critical of the job we do, but is rarely willing to jump in and help.

At work (nursing home) we have this new dietary...I don't know exactly what her title is, but she oversees the dietary workers, but there is another dietician above her. Anyway, she seems to think she owns the place. I was back working the hall (I'm a nurse, 3-11) and about 4:30 one of the dining room workers comes back carrying "night needs" for our hall and says, "I was told to tell you that they called 3 times on the loud speaker for the CNAs to come get their night needs and they never showed up so you need to tell them to go see the DON."
I saïd, "Who told you this?"
It was this new...dietary worker.
Then I asked if this dietary worker thought the CNAs didn't have anything to do but stand around waiting for her to call them up to the dining room. They were busy in patients' rooms. I told the dining room worker to tell the dietary worker she could go tell the DON herself.
This seems kind of petty to dwell on now that I read it but I'll go ahead and post it since I've done all tihs typing.

jjjoy, LPN · Oct 28, 2008

Then I asked if this dietary worker thought the CNAs didn't have anything to do but stand around waiting for her to call them up to the dining room.

My suggestion is to act as if you assume the other people have good (albeit perhaps mistaken) reasons for their seemingly unreasonable behavior. So I don't see it's helpful to assume that the dietary worker "thought the CNAs didn't have anything to do but stand around waiting for her to call them up." If that is what she thought, then she can be politely educated about the reality of the situation.

The fact the CNAs didn't pick up the evening snacks is a problem for the dietary workers and it's her job to address that. Perhaps a new system of delivery needs to be developed or dietary's expectations of the CNAs need to be changed.

I told the dining room worker to tell the dietary worker she could go tell the DON herself.

It's reasonable for the dietary worker to take this up with the DON as opposed to going through you. You could oh-so-gracefully explain that the CNAs were unfortunately busy with higher priority responsiblities and that if she has a problem with the CNAs job requirements or performance that she's welcome to take it up with the DON.

ShayRN · Oct 28, 2008

I can't stand our kitchen mananger. She is lazy and incompetant. However, the administrator loves her. I keep hoping that she will leave, but Hey, where else can you get paid 40 hours a week for doing 20 hours of work. Makes me sick that she gets away with the crap she does.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 28, 2008

Oh, so, now, we are waitresses, too? It's okay to leave people soaked in urine and poo, not get their evening coverage and medications in order to answer dietary calls? Don't get me started...I would have ignored her as well.

rn-jane · Oct 28, 2008

I don't work in ltc, used to but I would address her as follows. "I'm sorry but right now all all cnas are in the middle of doing patient care. Maybe we can devise an aternative plan when dietary can deliver the nourishments such as when trays are delivered so this does not happen again."

luvkitties · Oct 28, 2008

Reading your post, I'm reminded of a similar situation that occurred when I was an aide. I had a lady who was a feeder and was also frequently incontinent. One evening after helping her with supper, I checked her undergarment--sure enough, she needed to be changed. As I was doing so, a person from dietary walked in the room without knocking, gave me a dirty look and got upset because the supper trays weren't picked up; then walked away. I told the RN what happened afterwards. The next day, I was asked to report to the DON. Apparently, dietary told the DON that I was "getting people ready for bed" instead of picking up trays, in addition to other disproportionate statements. I was in a position to be reprimanded; luckily, the RN I told all this to the night before was there and explained to the DON what really happened. Dietary got counseled about priorities that day :smilecoffeecup:

noc4senuf · Oct 29, 2008

In most LTC facilities, the Dietary Manager is a dept head along with the DON, Environmental Services Director, TR Director, and Social Service Director. This means someone in that position is on an even keel with the DON.

Since she is new in her position, maybe this is the timeframe of how it was done in her last position. All facilities do things in different ways and unless it is kindly explained, then emotions get out of hand.

TopazLover, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2008

Is this a new P&P not shared with nursing staff. I have found that communication of changes is often the culprit when it comes to interdepartmental problems.

Sometimes there seems to be a lack of sensitivity about when the CNAs are most busy. It would seem an alternative plan could be enacted. We have snacks sent with supper trays, also.

Nursing hands out trays and collects them. It is easier than fighting with dietary. Their shifts usually end before everyone is able to assist residents to eat. It is easier to keep track of food and fluid intake and, again, it works for us.

PopeJane3rd · Oct 29, 2008

Don't worry too much. Pettiness abounds in the workplace everywhere. The CNA's needed someone to speak up for them and you did just that. Do the best you can because some people, usually women, I've found get a huge kick out of being difficult.