[debbie_ann_tx]

errrrrrrrrrrr. i need some assertive advice or a good lawyer because the nurse aids are driving me crazy. don't they know their job and why don't they do it. plane and simple. what do you think and what is your secrets to getting them off their ----- and do their job.......... debbie

[Don]

Just sounds like the particular aides you are talking about are not really proud of what they do, that they are just there to draw a check. It is the supervisors responsibility to motivate the staff, and if any particular staff member is not doing their job, to talk with the employee and find out what the problem is and if it can be resolved, or to replace the employee. The same criteria should apply to all employees including the Nursing staff.
A supervisor should incorporate "tact" in the way they handle staffing problems.
Any Aide/Nurse/MD, that just sits around and does not do their job, is detremental to patient care! If a staff member does not care, how can they give the patient the proper and expected care that they deserve?
Sorry for rambling.
There are a number of really superior Nurse Aides working in the health care field and they deserve to be treated as a Respected member of the staff.
The Aides that are not performing their duties effect the quality of care that the patient gets, and should be dismissed or reassigned to another position.
I would recommend reporting any staff problems to your supervisor.

[debbie_ann_tx]

hey don....... let me try this again.. first reply i just sent back to the host.... ok so i am a little rusty on the comp...haha.. on the nurse aide issue... the problem pretty much lies in the nurse managers behavior.. they have been reported so many times and that is as far as it goes...i think i am just going to take some assertive classes and go from there.......... thanks for replying.....debbie_ann_tx

[All41]

Our hospital is very big on Corporate Compliance. Through this program, you can whistle blow if you have attempted to solve a problem and failed. Just remember: there is a solution to every problem....and....every body has a boss. As long as you are truthful and doing your job, then make like a pit bull and hang on until you get someone to listen.

I think the best way to get people to help you is to make them want to help you. If they like you, and you are friends with them, they may be more willing to help.

I think that alot of times, the aides get treated in ways like doctors treat nurses. Several of the women in my nursing class work as aides and alot of times they come to class complaining of the way they are treated by certain nurses or doctors.
I can tell whenever we have clinicals at the hospital where they work, who they are friends with and who they are not. And you can tell that they try and help those that they like moreso than the others. That's just my observation.

Hey DAT, shoot me an email when you get a chance.

[agnewRN]

I've been in all the positions you've mentioned- an STNA, a charge nurse and a manager. First to consider- Is there a union where you're at? If so they are probably in it which makes disciplining even harder. Have you provided backup documentation so that it can be used to discipline ? As a manager I am not always there to see the problems and rely on the charge nurses , but sometimes they're hesitant to provide the documentation that I need because it may be harder on them by that STNA. I hate to say it but when I've gone in front of union to present a disciplinary action to theSTNA , it's been one person say against the other and the union will defend everything and even question the action of the nurse . It is not fun in the managers position either. As an aide I can look back now and see where I may not have done the perfect job, but at the time I had tried to do the best I could . Be friendly to your aides but not their friends.It could be a very sticky situation if you had to use your authority over a "friend" because they weren't doing their job. They still need to recognize that you are their direct supervisor. Watch how you say things to them- especially under hectic situations that require them to do something. Many complaints from the aides are from the way they were spoken to by the nurse- disrespectful or childlike.( And no it does not work to respond that they may have been acting like a child- been there done that) . Supervisors alone are not responsible for motivating people. I've seen good workers leave because they couldn't fit in to the staff already on the unit. They were left outside the "cliche". This includes both nurses and aides. It also helps to pitch in at times with aides to get something done. They say they respect a nurse more that may pitch in when things are bad as opposed to someone who they see as "sitting on their ***" . Promoting teamwork among everyone and recognizing when someone has done agood job and saying it to them helps motivate. Nurses want the same. If things still continue even with your efforts than you probably have a bad egg. Make the paper trail needed to help get them out of there. Good Luck.

good post. I agree with what you are saying.

[timbrown]

[ QUOTE ]
debbie_ann_tx said:
errrrrrrrrrrr. i need some assertive advice or a good lawyer because the nurse aids are driving me crazy. don't they know their job and why don't they do it. plane and simple. what do you think and what is your secrets to getting them off their ----- and do their job.......... debbie

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Debbie!

First, I'd like to introduce myself. I just found this site. I am 50 and a former computer professional who lost my job, got a job in the health field and found I prefer this over my old profession.

This past October 14, I completed my CNA training (both classroom and clinicals) and did very well.

I can relate to what you are saying, Debbie. During my clinicals, we were at a local unionized nursing home. I remember one day I was supposed to be shown how to give a swedish bath. The two CNAs that I was with put an incontinence pad on the tub, put the female resident on the tub and accompanied me to the shower room. AFter telling me where everything was, they left. Oh, I forgot to mention that this poor old sweet woman has contractures. THey merely left after saying "If you need help, pull the string." I had told them TWICE that I had never done this before. After three attempts, I decided the call light was not going to get their attention.

22 years ago I worked for a local mental health facility as a mental health tech. (Basic nursing). I saw lots of patient abuse there. It was a union place. What I saw at the nursing home was much better but it really makes me question the wisdom of unionized nursing home staff.

Anyway, I take my state exam on Nov 11. I've been back to the nursing home to apply (maybe I can make a difference?). I stopped by to visit some of the residents I grew to know during my class time there. I know it's what I want to do; it's no effort at all.

Tim

[realundertaker]

well ladies and gentlemen it takes everyone of us working togeather to do a great job. if someone falls down we all must try to pick them up. " I CAN"T NEVER COULD DO A DARN THING" at my hospital im really listed as security officer, but i do my best to help everyone as i would want to be helped. I love and protect every nurse without question of their status or job or race...by the way I've been a patient with TBI disablity for over 30 yrs...so i've seen a little of both sides. So im proud to be a member of the staff now and wish each and everyone the very best blessings

[nursecurry]

I am usually in charge of some of the CNA's I work with. It's not that the CNA's don't know their job. It's that they don't want to work. One CNA in particular spends most of her evening on the phone or in the bathroom hiding out. She has also been suspended twice for theft investigation. She has stolen property and money from residents. She has stolen money from her fellow employees. Nothing has been done about it but an investigation. We have eyewitnesses. We have all complained about her not doing her job. Our boss tells us find stuff to keep her busy. You can't keep her busy if she's hiding out in the bathroom. The boss told us the other day that she caught her sitting in the nurse's station one evening and had to tell her 3 times to go get her showers and work done. HELLO!!!! She needs to be fired. She's obviously not there for the paycheck either; because, she calls in at least 2 days or more a week. FIRE HER AND GET SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A JOB AND WILL WORK! She's also very rude with the residents. What can us nobody's do about it when our boss won't do anything?