nursing assistant being used and abused

nursing assistants are the slaves that make many people become rich. They are used, and are paid next to nothing. They are paid as if they can't read and write. Might as well they get a good trade and become self employed. It's a shame!

I am a CNA in Tn. My employer usually schedules 4 cna's to take care of 109 residents. The problem is there's almost always 1 or 2 who call in leaving the ones who want to work stranded. I work third so the upper escilon (bosses) add more duties for us to do then they fuss because it's not done. They don't care if your taking care of 25 or 35 residents by yourself,getting 4 or 5 up and dress, changing the others, and whatever else happens to occur in an 8 hr shift. We had a resident passaway the other day and couldn't find an RN so we called our D.O.N. and she said he's pronounced over the phone and wouldn't even get out of bed to do her job. Now they've added more duties and we can't even take a lunch. I would like to find out the rules and regulations for the state of Tn. because I get off work at 0630a.m. and have to be back at 1023p.m. and they schedule a mandatory meeting for 1400 (2:00p.m.) like our rest doesn't matter. This happens every payday i understand we need the meetings but would it kill the D.O.N. to come in on our up time on Friday or maybe come in a little early and have it so we can sleep, get rested and be capable of doing our job with the best efficiency possible. Isthere a designated time you're suppose to be off between shifts.

Let me guess. During your course(s) of study, no one hinted about the abusive work environment? Work in the veterinary assistant/technician field is the "now" degree w/lies about the wages & not a hint that most veterinarians have a "how cheap can we get you/how little can we pay you" attitude, that the on site trained staff is permitted & encouraged to ridicule you for "wasting your money" on your Associate Degree. That your license won't get posted although it's legally required by the state licensing board. Just another kind of nurse . . .

K. Woodby said: I am a CNA in Tn. My employer usually schedules 4 cna's to take care of 109 residents. The problem is there's almost always 1 or 2 who call in leaving the ones who want to work stranded. I work third so the upper escilon (bosses) add more duties for us to do then they fuss because it's not done. They don't care if your taking care of 25 or 35 residents by yourself,getting 4 or 5 up and dress, changing the others, and whatever else happens to occur in an 8 hr shift. We had a resident passaway the other day and couldn't find an RN so we called our D.O.N. and she said he's pronounced over the phone and wouldn't even get out of bed to do her job. Now they've added more duties and we can't even take a lunch. I would like to find out the rules and regulations for the state of Tn. because I get off work at 0630a.m. and have to be back at 1023p.m. and they schedule a mandatory meeting for 1400 (2:00p.m.) like our rest doesn't matter. This happens every payday i understand we need the meetings but would it kill the D.O.N. to come in on our up time on Friday or maybe come in a little early and have it so we can sleep, get rested and be capable of doing our job with the best efficiency possible. Isthere a designated time you're suppose to be off between shifts.

Hi K:
What is your pay range for your job? I also live in TN?

Hi you are so rigth just no you are not by your self its like that every were and you dont get alot pay. I think we have the hards job then any one we work with like the RN LPN DON and the Doctors. There sit on they ass all day and want the cna to do everything like we dont have enough to do in a day we are human just like them. The same way they can get lunch breaks we should to.

Jettsie in Silver Spring, Maryland said: nursing assistants are the slaves that make many people become rich. They are used, and are paid next to nothing. They are paid as if they can't read and write. Might as well they get a good trade and become self employed. It's a shame!

OH SO RIGHT ON! We get yelled at by nurses, directors, and higher ups infront of everyone. blamed for everything, have to do everything anyone else does not want to do. (our job or not!) And are expected to just sit there and take the abuse with your mouth shut or take the risk of being fired. You have knowone to back ya up in my place because everyones afraid of being fired or retalliation even though they agree with ya!

i understand exactly what everyone is saying. its sad for the people who needs us most(the patients} because how can we do our job when were burned out. they work us to death and we get nothing in return not even a thank-you. we have families to support as well, some of us are single parents and trying to do what we can to make it.not only do the patients need help WE NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with you all that you are under paid and over worked. But we all are regardless of our title. I am a administrator for a nursing home in Saint Petersburg, FL and I see that several of my staff members are over worked and there is nothing that I can do about it.

I have to disagree with you about your DON and higher management sitting on their ass and expect the CNAs to do everything. If you don't think that your DON does anything but sit all day and do nothing, ask her/him if you can shadow her/him for one day. You will see that they are non stop just like you; it is just different stuff that they are required to do on a daily basis.

My DON must complete reports, audits, assist the nurses, educate staff, do facility rounds with me, deal with families, physicians, residents, staff and upper management. DONs do not have an easy job, they work just as hard as CNAs. I can say this because before becoming an administrator I was a CNA for 16 years.

The key to solving problems is communication, get together and create a committee where you can come up with ideas and solutions to your problems. Stop stirring the pot and do something about it.

Wow! Well said, Brenda.

Guys, she's right. The industry as a whole is broken. It goes back to the Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement. Most of the time, companies as a whole can't really afford to increase CNA pay across the board and still generate the kind of profit needed to remain competitive. Payroll is the largest expense. We keep up with the industry average and that's it. If, as an industry, we were able to significantly increase the salaries of of CNAs, would it benefit us? Absolutely! We would attract more individuals into our industry, have a broader range of applicants to choose from to hire, pick more qualified employees, and improve patient care.

There needs to be a strike. Nursing aids need to pull together. Throughout the nation. We need to show the places we work for what it is like to not have our help. Then maybe we will get the pay we deserve for doing a job that no one else wants to do.

Sorry to say but there is a big difference between dealing with patients 1x1 mentally and physically. I'm not saying that a DON or anyone else in the medical organization doesn't work hard. I am simply stating that Physical, literally back breaking work and mentally stressful work is harder than that of others. Why do you think there is such a turn over rate with CNA's? I don't see DONS quitting left and right. Dons know damn well what they are getting themselves into. CNA's make just as much as a walmart employee stocking shelves in some areas. How pathetic is that? Is a certification even worth it after that? Is it worth doing the dirtiest job for that pay? Working at a human compost center. Working with people, human beings, way more personal than any other. CNA's are the closest legal form of prostitutes.

Brenda in Saint Petersburg, Florida said: I agree with you all that you are under paid and over worked. But we all are regardless of our title. I am a administrator for a nursing home in Saint Petersburg, FL and I see that several of my staff members are over worked and there is nothing that I can do about it.

I have to disagree with you about your DON and higher management sitting on their ass and expect the CNAs to do everything. If you don't think that your DON does anything but sit all day and do nothing, ask her/him if you can shadow her/him for one day. You will see that they are non stop just like you; it is just different stuff that they are required to do on a daily basis.

My DON must complete reports, audits, assist the nurses, educate staff, do facility rounds with me, deal with families, physicians, residents, staff and upper management. DONs do not have an easy job, they work just as hard as CNAs. I can say this because before becoming an administrator I was a CNA for 16 years.

The key to solving problems is communication, get together and create a committee where you can come up with ideas and solutions to your problems. Stop stirring the pot and do something about it.

also some cna are being abused by the patient.I have been doing this job for more than 30 years.One day we will all be here needed some one to take care of us things sure have changed over the years for the worst I must say.
I have worked with some fine cna's,nurse's and doctors and let us not for get patients or residents. I have helped my nurses and learned from them as well, encluding my DRN, it's been a pleasure.I would of loved to have worked with you Brenda Saint!
I had a resident who was ringing the call bell I went to answer it he was not my resident, when I enter the room he said where the f*** have you been I explain to him that his aide is with someone and canIhepl him he wanted me to rub lotion on his arm and he had arouse (if you know whatI mean)

So I told him that I will be back he started cussing and stated to me you are a f***ing lair. I gave him the call light and left the room.I reported this to my charge nurse and went to my resident I took care of my resident and returned to the male resident and he wanted ice and his soda poured on the ice he is still cussing,after I gave him the ice w/ soda and his called bell. His roommate wanted grape juice and I went to get it for him before I left to go get the juice the frist male resident stated that she won't be back. I retuned w/ the juice he thanked me and I left.This was the 11to7 shift About 2;30PM my DRN called me and took me off my assignment and said that I was being under investergation. This is not the first time that this resident has abused the system and many workers have been fired! I do understand that they have to do the investergation, my beef is I only work 4 days a month and no benefits and when I go back to work I will not be paid for that day. My thing is please investergate some of these residents abuse to caretakers!!!

NO one should have to put up with abuse of any kind! Treat everyone like you want to be treated!!!!

All the best to you, Cna's,and nurse's.

I know what yall mean! this crap is insane! every day it's a battle to get through the workday! I get scratched n yelled at for trying to help. residents abuse their rights by constantly being on the light and thinking they the only one you have to take care of. I wish we had rights too. nurses take advantage and tell us to do the work they don't wanna do and speak to us like trash. If you want respect give me respect too

I dont know how you run your facility,but theres not much we can do about the nurses not doing their job accept report it to the D.O.N who in turn is always in cahoots with the nurses. We cnas are always being reprimanded on what were not doing but there never seems to be enough time to our job and theres. They take extended lunch breaks,smoke breaks and can Never be found when you need them.My patients dont get their meds on time, always out of diapers and limited on wipes.Which our wipes are limited to a pack a week!!I know when my children were little i went through more than that and these are bigger messes due to medications.Most of the time we have to search for supplies needed to do our shift because the ones before us didnt!I realize all facilities are different but you are now in a position to change things at yours. If you were a cna for 16 years im sure you experienced some of what we all go through now. Please dont be little us because you are in a higher position now.Dont tell us to shadow the nurses cause you know would never fly!!

HELLO DEAR, CNA`S AM UNENPLOYED FOR A YEAR. AND I USTO WORK FOR A NURSING HOME HERE IN COLORADO SPRINGS, THE RESIDENTS WERE ABUSIVE, BUT THEY ALWAYS BLAMED ON US, WE DINT KNOW WHEN WE GONA GET FIRED. IT WAS A CAOS. EVERY DAY WORKING LIKE THIS, IT WAS HELL. NOW I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACH, TO ANY NURSING HOME,I UNDERSTAND. THE WAY SOME REAL. CNA SUFFER. I PRAY TO GOD. THAT IF HE CAN CHANGE ALL THAT SYSTEM. BECAUSE. I DONT KNOW WHATS GONA HAPPEND. AM NOT PERFECT. BUT I ALWAYS CARED FOR ANY PEOPLE. BUT THEY DONT KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF NOTHING, AM TALKING ABOUT. RESIDENTS AND NURSES. HOOOOOOOOO BOYYY.HEEEEELLL

Hi, My name is Elizabeth I am a Tech 3, I was working at a hospital for 17 years, and got fried for something I didn't do, I kept my Title as a CNA,? I took classes united clerk, and Telemtry.that is how I got my Title, but I stay working as a CNA, the work is hard like u all say not only in a nursing Home,but in the Hospital to can u all believe this yes it truce, I work there for 17 years and lost my job over nothing behind a nurse that was picking,but I am not upset about it I am looking for something in the medical fields, I sign on with agency,and I decided to take classes on Line ,for Medical Transcripts, see u can do anything once U set your mind to it,What I am trying to say that I Felt Like I Was Abuse To, I felt like my word as a CNA didn't matter ,when I told the truth it did not matter, to my supervisor, she didn't not give me a chance to explain what happen at that time, u see I was off at the time, my Mother had pass with Cancer, so I was off and when it was time for me to go back to work My supervisor and I talk on the phone, I told her that I would be back to work that Thursday morning she told me to don't clock in , come to her office, I told her that I will there today I am not waitting to come in your office the next day,I will see u today so I did go up there, and we went down to talk with the head of staff and I got fried for something I didn't do ,No Compassion

lynn in Brockton, Massachusetts said: OH SO RIGHT ON! We get yelled at by nurses, directors, and higher ups infront of everyone. blamed for everything, have to do everything anyone else does not want to do. (our job or not!) And are expected to just sit there and take the abuse with your mouth shut or take the risk of being fired. You have knowone to back ya up in my place because everyones afraid of being fired or retalliation even though they agree with ya!

Yelled at!!!! No way! Here in my region of Ohio we do not play that...no one yells at me. You earn respect, and even iyou are a STNA or CNA no one has th right to yell an cream at you. Does your state have an Ombudsman? Do you have a FAIR LABOR BOARD? Yelling at you is a form of abuse to you, and they can get their point across without yelling and screaming...YOU ARE NOT THEIR CHILD, you are a worker, and should be respected as such....I would look for agencies that advocate for you rights....hope you find the help you need! Be Blessed!

These COMMENT SHOUULD REPORTED TO WASHINGTON D.C. HILLARY CLINTON MADE A
STATEMENT ABOUT HOW A NURSE treated her mother, she was very upset about this situation, she only seen the aid more in her mother room than the nurse she was very upset about this.so if this matter of abuse don't stop something can be done about this matter.

D O N should look into this matter this is very serious matter this woul affect not only the C N A Jobs it could effect all, in. The long run every one needs to work as a TEAM this go for all the medical fields.