What the heck?

[ShayRN]

We have an aide who left a year or so ago because she wanted to get unit clerk training, however she still maintains per diem status. Her and I always got along well, but I know she thought I was too tough on her, which, I admit I expect everyone to work as hard as me. I don't mind sitting if my work is done, but my patients WILL be taken care of properly. I really expect my patients to be turned, back rubs given, mouth care, etc. I will do all this myself, but if I am passing meds and that isn't done, I will say something to an aide sitting chatting at the nurse's station. ANYWAY, when she left I gave her a hug and told her I would miss her (I do) and let me know what she thinks of me after a few months at the hospital, lol.

So she came in the other night, came up to me and gave me a big hug. Tells me, "Now I get it." She said there is a new group of nurses on their unit (not that it matters, because they will probably only get worse over time) but all new grads. She tells me that they sit in the nurses station bad mouthing their patients. She tells me that it isn't just one or two patients they complain about or talk about, but every one they have. She also told me a nurse threw a chart at her when she felt her orders weren't being taken off quickly enough. (This was reported to the unit manager by an observer, not this girl however who was afraid to say anything.) She said that 3 letters have been sent to the CEO about this behavior but it is only getting worse. What the HECK is going on here? I feel so bad for these patients, what kind of care are they getting?

I don't really need advice, just venting over my frustrations. So glad I don't work in that environment. Also, praying my loved ones don't ever need to be there. YIKES.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

That is sad and gives a bad name to new grads.

No wonder no one wants to hire us.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

ANYWAY, when she left I gave her a hug and told her I would miss her (I do) and let me know what she thinks of me after a few months at the hospital, lol.

Sounds like you already had your mind made up about what the nurses at the hospital are like, and that you may have perpetuated that in the aide's mind as well. If she went in there with a negative expectation, then the negative is what she will see. That's a shame, because for every new grad who sits on her or his butt and complains, there are two or three that are working their butts off at the bedside. :redbeathe

[ShayRN]

That isn't the case at all. I worked the floor she was going to and knew what would happen. Don't tell me we haven't all been on floors like this, I know better. I love working with students and grads. My point was this, they are new grads and would be getting worse over time if this is what they are like now.

[MedSurgeMess]

sounds like they need a director for that unit that has some cajones. If this has been an on going problem then someone hasn't been doing a good job of correcting it. This kind of behavior gives all nurses a bad name, and I hope the facility realizes it, but they are getting a bad name as well.