What in the world? Your thoughts please?

[Cherry2000]

I went on an interview last week for an aide position on a med-surg floor. I was so surprised how the interview went. I spoke with HR first and everything went well.

Then I was taken up to the floor and spoke to another person. We went through and I answered a bunch of questions. One was: if you see a coworker not doing what they should be doing, what would you do? My answer was that I probably would leave it up to the RN to deal with it. In my mind, they are the ones in charge, right? Well that was the wrong answer. The interview went on in that manner. So I am aware of the fact that I am giving off a non-confrontational vibe.... and that isn't what was wanted. But I know that when pushed, I do push back. I wasn't sure how to explain that I stand up for myself without sounding aggressive. (Which I generally am not.)

I knew my interview was tanking but I couldn't quite figure out what I was doing wrong. So I ended up tripping over my own tongue and more or less making a mess of it. I wasn't given a clear picture of what the expectations were. So I am scrambling and felt like a bug under a microscope. This painfully ended and my hopes of getting the position fell.

Then an employee holding the position that I was interviewing for came in to talk to me. She told me how she has been treated and how things are needed to change on the floor. After she told me what was going on there, I couldn't believe it. Apparently over half of the people there don't do their jobs and this severely impacts patient care. So now I see why I was asked what I would do. If hired I would be a change agent of sorts. This person liked me and I was able to expand on my former experience. But I was surprised that this responsibility was being asked of an aide.

So now I have 2 out of 3 that liked me...and 1 of the 2 doesn't really count. I have no clue if I will be offered the position or not, but I would really like the opportunity. I know many people would think I was crazy and not to get involved in a thing like this, but honestly I like challenges.

I felt like I was really surprised with the direction the interview took. My questions are this: Is there anything I could have done differently? And what do you think of what they are asking?

[Jolie, BSN]

I think the question you should consider is this: If offered the job, do you really want it?

The unit sounds like a disorganized mess with little leadership. If you are an experienced CNA, you may be able to hold your own in this type of setting, but unless you absolutely need this job to pay your bills, I would think long and hard about taking it.

If you are a new CNA or someone looking to work in this field as a preparation for nursing school, I would recommend against it. I doubt that you will have the skills, experience and fortitude necessary to survive in this setting, let alone thrive and learn.

Please don't take this next comment the wrong way. It is not meant as an insult to you. But it is not the job of a new CNA on any unit to be a "change agent." That is the turf of the administrator, manager, educator and experienced staff. If they haven't managed to bring about positive change in that department, you, as a new employee at the bottom of the totem pole, certainly won't be able to and shouldn't be expected to.

Unless you have no other options, I don't think this job is worth it.

[ernursen]

I think the question you should consider is this: If offered the job, do you really want it?

The unit sounds like a disorganized mess with little leadership. If you are an experienced CNA, you may be able to hold your own in this type of setting, but unless you absolutely need this job to pay your bills, I would think long and hard about taking it.

If you are a new CNA or someone looking to work in this field as a preparation for nursing school, I would recommend against it. I doubt that you will have the skills, experience and fortitude necessary to survive in this setting, let alone thrive and learn.

Please don't take this next comment the wrong way. It is not meant as an insult to you. But it is not the job of a new CNA on any unit to be a "change agent." That is the turf of the administrator, manager, educator and experienced staff. If they haven't managed to bring about positive change in that department, you, as a new employee at the bottom of the totem pole, certainly won't be able to and shouldn't be expected to.

Unless you have no other options, I don't think this job is worth it.

I agree. Take it from someone who has been there......you do not want to be their change agent. For anyone, this role sucks and you end up being miserable. Grown folks don't usually change unless they want to. For a whole floor to change, you would first need to get rid of the folks not doing their jobs and the pot stirrers. And then hire in new folks. This, in my opinion would send a better message to employees that if they want employement, they need to make some improvements. I can understand if you are in a position that you have to take the job...but I too would question if it's worth it. Just my 2 .

[oramar]

They expect an AIDE to straighten out this mess. I never heard of such a thing.

[leslie :-D]

they're using this "change agent" as a scapegoat.

they're trying to assign their responsibilities to who they perceive as a doormat.

run like hell.

leslie

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

Well, first and foremost.........it does sound like you are being brought in to help change things. With that said, dont take that as you are to watch, monitor or manage the other CNAs in any way shape or form. The way to encourage change is by leading with actions. Refuse to partake in the laziness and ignore the others who do. I only say this because, well.....if you go in there thinking you are going to put these slackers in their place or anything........you'll be eaten alive. People who work like this make a career out of dodging work and dealing with people who try to "change them". Dont put yourself in that position.

Second, if that is the expectation of you......to be an "agent of change", do so only by being the best CNA you can be. Dont let this manager dump her responsibility on you. She is paid......handsomely.......to manage her workforce. If she cant do it, hit the road jack cause a lot of people want to be management. You are there for pt. care, not to monitor others. Let that manager earn her paycheck.

I wouldnt walk into this position at all if I truly though being "an agent of change" was expected of me. Unless there was some sort of compensation in it for me. I have worked in places where there were Senior Assistants. They trained new assistants, helped make the schedule and were the first contact in the case of an employee complaint (by a CNA). They were paid more and actually had better school reimbursement benefits. Now, in a case like that, I'd allow a manger to place the expectation of being "an agent of change" on me. Otherwise..........they can go chase cars with the rest of their kind cause I'm not doing their job for them.

[towntalker]

this job seems like a bad fit for anyone...don't take it unless there is absolutely nothing else available

'change agents' are usually resented and wind up being blamed for anything and everything

maybe there is a different floor or different facility where you can work and not having too much dumped on you

[Cherry2000]

Well, first and foremost.........it does sound like you are being brought in to help change things. With that said, dont take that as you are to watch, monitor or manage the other CNAs in any way shape or form. The way to encourage change is by leading with actions. Refuse to partake in the laziness and ignore the others who do. I only say this because, well.....if you go in there thinking you are going to put these slackers in their place or anything........you'll be eaten alive. People who work like this make a career out of dodging work and dealing with people who try to "change them". Dont put yourself in that position.

The manager realizes she isn't going to change the floor without bringing in new blood. But the thing she is trying to guard against (my opinion) is bringing on someone new that will see what the others are doing and fall right in line with them. She is looking for someone to actually do their job, although there are many others that aren't. Plus, the way it was explained to me, if someone's call bell is going off, but it isn't your patient, what should you do? Answer the call bell. But if that person who SHOULD be answering it is just standing there ignoring it, what do you do? My response would have been to rely on the nurse to correct it, but the nurses aren't doing what they should be doing either. So bringing the call bell to their attention is the next step. And that is what she is looking for...not someone to take charge exactly.

I think that right now the staff is being given the opportunity to change. Then if they don't, well it will suck to be them.

I agree that they way to create change is to set an example. It is not my job (or any aide's job) to put anyone in their place. I have no problem going into a place and just doing my job. I don't know if this is the way to start out though. I have never worked in a hospital before and was really looking forward to it. I have to say that the people that interviewed me were pretty forthcoming with the situation and I have to give them kudos for that.

On the flip side, I need a job, yesterday. This would get my foot in the door and allow me to transfer within the hospital. It is only per diem for now. And that is if they even liked me...because I'm not sure.

This whole situation is just chewing on me. I can't stop thinking about it. Any more thoughts?

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I think conclusion might be being jumped-to here, maybe. Asking "what would you do if you saw someone doing something wrong?" is a rather common interview question.

[sunray12]

I think conclusion might be being jumped-to here, maybe. Asking "what would you do if you saw someone doing something wrong?" is a rather common interview question.

Yep. It's standard in e.g., retail pre-screen tests. The wrong answer is "I'd do nothing".

[ToxicShock]

I would be really uncomfortable working for a company that relied upon a newly-hired aide to help them straighten out their mess and unprofessionalism.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

This type of management philosophy is one of management avoiding confrontation at all costs and passing the buck big time. I've seen this type of thing. They want you to be assertive, pretend like they are empowering you, but don't be surprised if they turn it around on you when you don't do it to their liking, or do it to one of their pets.

I got burned once by buying into this trap. It's called management having their cake and eating it too!