I am wondering what everyone has to say in this matter. I have been working as a Lead CNA on a geriatric long term floor for the last 5 years. Within the past year, a new nurse has come onto our floor as the other nurse has retired. This nurse constantly tells us (the aides) that "she didnt go to nursing school for that" and if you have someone on the toilet and you're getting someone into bed in that hectic time after dinner, and another resident needs to use the toilet, should she "tell them that they have to piss their pants?"
I am not sure how to feel about this. Since she has shown up, at least 4 people from her old facility have also showed up. These new people have attitude problems that effect not only me, but the residents that they are caring for. They are rude to the residents, and have little compassion for these elderly frail people, saying "I love to piss her off, it's fun." I find the RN to be lazy, rude, and condescending; she also ignores the bad behavior of the people who came from her other facility. I dont know if I am being upset because my other nurse that I have worked with for years has retired, or if this is just rudeness on her part.
She consistently sits with her feet up on the desk, reading resident newspapers, surfing the internet, and she also will come to you when you are eating on a working (unpaid) break, and interupt you to answer a call light, or tell you that someone has fallen and she needs their vital signs.
I manage the other CNA's, the paperwork, the VS, the patient menu's, the weekly weights, the assignments, and I have more patients on my own assignment than the other girls. I have done this consistently and successfully for over 3 years. Am I wrong to feel slighted, or unappreciated by this woman? Ultimately my goal is for the residents health, safety, and well-being, but I think that it's more to being a nurse than medications, treatments, and faxing doctors to write new orders.
Does anyone have a suggestion???? Please help. Thanks.
 |
|
|||||||||||
 |
||
search realityrn
sign up for weekly cartoons, tips, and blog posts
Register to win a pair of RX Medical Silver Fox Crocs
|
|
|
 |
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Wow. Well, first thing’s first, take some deep breaths. Sounds like you needed that off your chest. Unfortunately, this is a commonplace experience when you have someone who is burnt out. Off the clock, she might be a lovely person. I’d say she is not happy where she is.
Now, there are a few things you can do. Number one starts with you. Remember, in the world of nursing, we have a chain of command. The charge nurse, the floor supervisor, the house supervisor, the director of nursing — then you get into administration.
Be careful how you file complaints and try not to jump over anyone. Unless you feel they are not helpful. Your patients have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. And, you are part of the nursing team and therefore, just as much of a patient’s advocate as the LPN’s and RN’s.
Best thing to do is to make your complaint without stating names. Say…
I’ve seen some things that really go against “Infection control” There have been feet up on the desk.
Or say…I’ve heard staff talking to patients in a demeaning way.
When problems are explained in this way, direct and objective, they are usually addressed better. Usually the supervisor will address it in a mass email or at a staff meeting. Or those notorious flyers that appear behind the nursing station that says, keep feet off!
Truth is, the second you start playing the “name game” is when it will spiral out of control. If her name is used, if she is singled out, she will feel threatened and likely be even worse.
Trust me, if her behavior lasts like that…she will not last long. She needs correction, but leave it to her supervisor. Chances are, sooner or later, the supervisor will notice the behavior or a doctor will witness it or a family member.
Patients are the center of our work in nursing. Their safety is first and foremost. If she does something to put a patient in danger etc… you must interfere. Just don’t do it alone. Take your charge nurse or the supervisor with you. Two or three is the rule. No one will deny what they see with a witness.
Beyond this, don’t focus on her. You care. You are compassionate. You do your job well. Do not give this woman power to make you miserable. You’ll burn out if you try to do more because she does less. Just do what you can.
And here’s a note about this thing nurses can do…called delegation. When she says she didn’t go to nursing school to put people on toilets, answer a call light etc….
understand that this is wrong.
she did go to school for that. It falls under patient care. As a nurse she has certain responsibilities that she MUST do – that you could not do. If a patient must have their Digoxin meds, you can’t give that. If a call light is ringing on one room and someone must have their meds in another . . . it is the meds that she MUST give.
She cannot delegate when a patient needs something and you are busy. She cannot delegate just because she doesn’t feel like doing it.