Hello everyone! I'm pretty new here, but am a long time lurker. I am a CNA 1 student who just started clinicals at a long term care facility. My class does clinicals from 17:00-21:00 Tuesdays and Thursdays. My class has 8 people in it. I decided to become a CNA because I am interested in working in the healthcare field and I enjoy helping people.
Anyway, I have noticed that the nurses and CNAs (especially the nurses) at the facility we do clinicals at are so darn rude! My instructor has given us strict guidelines to follow (such as only performing patient care once we have gotten in checked off AND only doing patient care once we have permission and are under supervision). I am fully aware that as students, we most likely get in the way of the nurses and CNAs. In a way, we probably are somewhat of a burden to them. I have truly done my best to stand back and stay out of the way, and ONLY perform patient care when I have the full authorization to do it and full supervision. I have also tried to only ask questions that are necessary, as not to get in their way.
However, they are just so darn rude! A few of them are pleasant, but 90% of them sigh and roll their eyes whenever we have a question. I was even sent away by a CNA when I asked her where the blood pressure cuff was located (my instructor told me to practice blood pressure). They were even very rude to my instructor. I don't know why they so rude. Their rudeness has made me start to re-consider this profession. I enjoy healthcare, I enjoy helping people, and I can work at a fast pace while also being effective. However, if my coworkers are just going to be so rude and unprofessional, then I definitely don't want to work as a CNA.
Is their rudeness a standard within the healthcare field, or was I just unlucky to be doing my clinicals at a facility with rude staff?
In the years I worked LTC, the nurses were wonderful, but the CNAs, save for maybe 4 or 5, were the laziest, most disrespectful, and rude people with whom I have had to work. It didn't help that one was the DON's niece and the ringleader of the group, and none of them received any punitive actions for their behavior.
It appears from what I have observed, smaller LTC staffs function like high school cliques: The ones who brown nose the administration get away with everything and those of us who abide by the rules, give good patient care, care about our patients, are punctual, don't miss work, and try to be the pillar example are the ones who become the facility whipping boys.
I finally had enough, left, and found a job where I am respected and valued as an employee. Negative attitudes, burnout, favoritism, and disrespect does not breed a work environment conducive to high ranking, high quality patient care.
I do agree, usually it's the CNAs who have issues on the few occasions I've had
Sorry you had such a bad experience but please don't make generalizations about people who work in long term care. 90% of the people I have worked with in the past 20 years in long term care have hearts of gold and love their residents. I have made several lifelong friendships with co-workers. We are all very busy and maybe that is why you think the majority are rude but I assure you that is not the case from my experience.
It depends on the facility. Many nursing homes are severely understaffed and the nurses and CNA's probably feel like they can't be bothered, still shouldn't act that way. Sometimes people forget when they started and what its like to be new. Just hang in there and know not to apply there when you're done with your CNA clinicals.
It all depends on where you work, how you handle yourself at work and your work ethic and not letting others get to you. Unfortunately it is everywhere, even outside of the medical field. I have worked with great people who are willing to teach and for people who do not tolerate that type of behavior! Don't let them discourage you!
Hoosier_RN, MSN
3,968 Posts
I do agree, usually it's the CNAs who have issues on the few occasions I've had