How to lose your job as a CNA

It isn’t rocket science- keeping a job. But it seems, more and more, that some people really are clueless when it comes to certain actions that will, guaranteed, send a CNA out the door via being fired. These CNA’s act all shocked and awed. REALLY??

YES.

1) Be a NO CALL, NO SHOW. Don’t go to work on any given day you’re scheduled. Perhaps you have a doctor appointment, or you need to catch up on some much needed sleep. Or your kid is sick. Whatever: This action on your part will end your employment at every facility.

2) CALL OUT MORE THAN ONCE EVERY OTHER WEEK: Believe it or not, residents/patients depend upon YOU to show up for work, to assist them with the care and services they cannot provide for themselves. When you call out, someone ELSE has to pick up your assignment. Or as more often happens, your co workers will see their workload increase. They will complain about you. Even those who say they are your friend. The complaints will be bitter if you call out a lot (more that 3 times a year).

3) Be SNEAKY WITH your DOCUMENTATION. I have known some pretty sneaky aides who do things that are absolutely appalling. Taking shortcuts that are genuinely dangerous to good health, lying about cares given, documenting incorrect or made up data…falsifying records…writing in numbers for VS, making up percentages for meal intakes- it all falls under one category. If you’re doing this, your peers will catch you. The good ones will report you.

4) Abuse and or NEGLECT YOUR RESIDENTS: WHOA everyone knows this, right? No. As many media reports show us, aides get together and partake in terrible acts towards the residents. They use their cell phones to take pictures. They don’t realize cameras are capturing every moment.
People are outside doors listening. Bruises tell stories. Residents sitting in w/c’s not being fed are stark reminders of neglect. Large open areas are also evidence of neglect. When the residents you work with start having patterns of problems, it will be noticed. You stand to lose more than your job.

5) TALK LIKE A DRUNK TRUCK DRIVER: Swearing, tough talk, threats- we see this all the time in movies. Is is necessary? No. It is ever called for in the nursing home/hospital environment? No. It may make you feel better, or make you feel important or different. But it’s a sure fire way to get fired- and quickly. Foul language also diminishes the professional image we want others to have of us. When we cuss and swear, we deserve to not work in this field.

 

I swear, some people just don’t have the common sense needed to keep a job. Not to be mean to them, but many of today’s younger people seem to think it is ok to not show up for work without a call; many don’t understand the concept of tardiness and how it effects work flow. Cell phones and Facebook take up much time and attention to this generation, while actual hands on attention is a foreign concept. I worked with a girl with literally broke down and cried when I told her to put her cell away for the day.  Another new staff got jittery when I told him we have no Internet access- he wanted to check his FACEBOOK. What does all this have to do with getting fired? Think about it. When you’re more concerned about who is texting you than you are with providing a bed bath…you’re asking for trouble. When you would rather check your friends’ status updates then assist your resident with eating, you’re asking for trouble. Work is work. It’s especially hard work in a nursing home or hospital. Get it together or go find a career where you can tune in to yourself vs your customers.