Horrible treatment

Horrible treatment

My last job as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) has the worst environment. I always helped everyone but the moment I asked for help, nobody wanted to help me and I barely got a thank you from my coworkers. I was surrounded by ungrateful and bitter people. I felt like everyone was against me. If someone forgot something nothing happened to them but if I did, my superiors and coworkers gave me an attitude. The people who are supposed to have my back are the ones who stabbed it every time they had a chance. One time we were understaffed and a nurse helped another CNA but didn't want to help me. People in that place like to point at people's mistakes instead of focusing on their own. On top of that I was understaffed and underpaid. Very poor management. I expected bad treatment from the patients/residents but not from the staff.

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8 Comments

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  1. Bosslady520080

    Find a new job.

  2. Bosslady520080

    Find a new job. Go back to school and work towards an RN degree. It may take a long time but you can do it step by step.

  3. Anonymous

    This is just an interim option because I agree you should go for your RN:

    You said, "my last job," so I assume you are no longer working there. Unfortunately, I saw this all too often when I worked in a hospital and later with a hospice organization. The CNAs often work harder than anyone else and get the brunt of the abuse from the patients and staff. Like others have said, getting an RN would be a great help, as you have more options and responsibilities, and with that comes more respect. In the meantime, you could also try a Certified Medical Assistant, which allows you to work in a doctor's office with many different options (billing, phlebotomy, checking in with vitals, etc.), depending on whether you want to focus on the patient care or administrative work. It also takes less time and expense than the RN. LPN would be another step toward the RN.

  4. Kat

    If you like health care and taking care of people, think about getting a degree in the field (MD, PA, OT, PT, SLP, RN, Social work) depending on your interests. Many of the issues you have with health care (stress, long hours, staffing issues, etc.) persist regardless of the type of job you have even with a degree. If you're not interested in staying in health care, check out other jobs at least temporarily while you figure out your next move. Food service, warehouse and retail are usually easy enough to get into and have high demand. Truck driving is in demand and pays well. You don't have to stay in low paying stressful jobs where you're not respected or treated well. Look at all your options and interests and find something that's a better fit.

  5. Anonymous

    And? the reason for your post? Are you looking for advice on how to function in this type of place? Not sure what you hoped for here but there is a way to get gratitude from people. Get to know who they are as individuals, find out what inspires them and ask them how they like to be helped and how they like to help others. When looking for a job ask the same questions. Let people know you are not perfect and that you may ask for others to guide you and that you are grateful. Often others looking in your mirror make them see themselves. Stop whining and find another place where that culture is the norm and move on if you are in a job search. Yes nursing is tough and sometimes you need to nurse yourself first. Take care.

  6. Jennifer L Smith-Clark

    Sounds like a nursing home. I'm just going to echo everyone else here. As long as you stay a CNA you will receive the worst treatment. Nurses (RN) take a lot of crap but at least they are better respected than CNAs, they are the whipping boys of the nursing world.

  7. Anonymous

    I feel you, I'm also looking for other work options. I think you're still young so go back to school and earn a higher degree.

  8. Anonymous

    I'm sorry to hear this. It truly sucks to be in a toxic work environment (I've been there more than once and empathize 1000%).

    Depending on what your homelife and responsibilities are there, I've heard that certain areas of the country have a need for traveling CNAs. I am by no means an expert but 4 of my closest friends are in medicine as PAs, a Dr, and a NP so I get to hear the ins and outs through them and the idea of traveling in their field comes up from time to time.

    Also, I feel like when you travel for work, you get more autonomy and you definitely get less face time with the people who "suck".

    Best of luck!

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