I worked hard to get my license, and even harder to find a job. I actually found one really close to my house! Who would've thought right? Some of the staff were really calm and patient with me, especially since I'm a brand new nurse.
However...the hostility and disrespect doesn't come from any of the nurses...its from the CNA's! Even when listening to a conversation between some of the CNA's and the LPN's or RN's, they are very disrespectful. When asked to complete a task, there is constant eye rolling, sucking teeth, and sarcastic responses. If you pass a CNA in the hall and ask a question, they'll keep walking and act as if they didn't hear you. I didn't realize I'd be working with so many unprofessional people. I'm very kind to all of the CNA's because as far as I'm concerned, they work hard. To have to clean 10-15 people, feed them, toileting them, and documenting on time? Their jobs aren't easy. But come on...quit being so rude.
However since I've been here I've heard many mumblings about how some CNA's are upset because the new LPN's are young and inexperienced, and they don't appreciate someone younger than them telling them how or when to do things. I think with some, its a cultural thing which is understandable but there isn't any excuse for the disrespect. At the end of the day, its the patient that suffers as a result of the poor work ethic existing in my facility. The supervisors have been aware of the disrespect for some time, but are slow moving to handle it because its such a touchy topic. Anyone else out there, new and experienced, know what I'm going through? Any advice on how to deal?
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down and the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of fire
The ring of fire
That's what I called LTC when I decided that was the direction I wanted to go towards.I was working with CNA's who were my mother's age and most of them believed that working for 15 yrs as a CNA qualified one as a nurse.Bottom line for me-you have to GIVE respect to EARN respect and be consistent. You can't sit around and laugh and carry on one minute and expect everyone to respond to you inn a professional manner then next. Teach as you go, make yourself available to help when you can and address each situation of in-subordination behavior immediately and professionally with your policy.
I worked as a CNA for a while before i worked as a LPN. And yes, the work is hard BUT what I found having worked as both a CNA and LPN is that the CNA work is hard, but the running around is what is done all shift. What I found working as a LPN is that the nurse works hard too but at the same time the nurse is having to use her brain more causing mental and physical tiredness. The nurse is responsible for EVERYTHING on that shift not just what the CNA's do on their shift. And I have seen CNA take 3-4 smoke breaks in one shift when the nurse has been running from start of shift to end with no break - forget about lunch MOST days in LTC. I found when i worked as a CNA I was physically tired but did nto use my brain to really think.But when I worked as a LPN - well you nurses know what I mean. I would like to see a CNA do a horrendous 8AM med pass, then treatments including wound care of A LOT of pts, then blood glucose, then insulin, then giving out pain narcotics and documenting in med book, then more meds, then calling Dr for high blood glucose, then checking labs and calling Dr. Waiting for new orders THEN carrying out that new orders, then dealing with pt. family, then more meds and more Dr orders etc etc. And assessing pt. pain PRN tehn more narcotics.Or the kitchen sent up the wrong diet for a pt hat has diet restrictions, so the nurse must handle that too. CNA's shift is is NO WHERE near a nurses responsibility!! There is a reason CNA take their scheduled breaks ON TIME, EVERY TIME and the nurse barely gets to use the bathroom some days!! Then there is charting too! And all this nursing responsibility MUST be doen in a timely fashion!
This is the reason why charge nurses need some consideration. If you actually do get time to wash patients they should thank you for this. I do not think you owe it to CNAs to do their work for them.
Nurse Medicine Woman, ASN, RN
71 Posts
Sorry for the typos. it IS 4:41 AM!!