Am I right or wrong

3 I just had a conversation about a new job with my dad. This is my first ever job and I'm already discouraged. I'm just curious about how you guys feel about the situation and if I'm wrong.

When I had my interview they only asked me why did I want to be a cna. And hired me on spot. Without calling my references or anything. I expected them to ask more and really determine if I was a true patient advocate. today was mine and another girls orientation. The other girl was 30 minutes late. Texted. Had a couple phone calls. Fell asleep. Didn't take out her tounge ring or cover her tattoos. I don't think there is anything wrong with piercing or tattoos but i believe they should be covered or removed just because its the Code of conduct. Then the girl and I were talking and she was like ya I only want this job for the money. & that's what she told them when they interviewed her. & when we went on the tour she would stop and talk to people she knew. & wasn't paying attention to the lady giving us a tour. When you work as part of a team it isnt only about yourself. its about everyone. My dad thinks I shouldn't worry about other people because when I get money they're not sharing it with me. All I need to worry about is myself. But I don't feel like that. In a healthcare team or any team, it isn't about you. It's about everyone involved. I want to work with people who care about the patients. Not the money. It's not about the money.its about the patients health. He said if I continue to think like I'm not gonna have this job for long. I'm just upset about what my dad told me and how orientation went. he thinks i'm looking to deep into it. Has anyone else felt like this, is this common? I'm just so upset about what happened and my dads comments. Last edit by CNAEB on Apr 9, '13
It's true that healthcare teams should be working as a team, and your new coworker's behavior was reprehensible, but your dad has valid points. Her intentions may be less than honorable, but people get into a number of jobs for a variety of reasons, and sometimes those reasons change over time. It's wonderful that you want to be a patient advocate as a CNA, but as your dad said, focus on yourself. If at the end of the day, she hasn't harmed patients, and the shift went without incident, leave your coworker alone. While your intentions for yourself and your patients are honorable, they are also idealistic and come across as self-righteous. If you're seen as self-righteous, there's the likelihood you'll rub your other coworkers the wrong way, and they'll want to work with you less.

I don't get what you are saying by appearing self-righteous. Do you mean me acting as if I'm perfect? If so thats not how I feel at all. i hope I don't appear to be that way. I have a lot to learn and I know ill learn a lot from my coworkers. I do think she's a nice lady and I like her. Im not that upset about what occurred today during orientation, just a little taken back. I just expected it to be different. The comment that I won't last, is what got to me.

Sounds to me like you are young, and were raised to respect certain values. And going into the work force with those values, you are confused by the lack ofthose values, as you see it. I have no answer to your issue, but it will happen in any line of work, even though it may dsitress you.

Quote from CNAEBI just had a conversation about a new job with my dad. This is my first ever job and I'm already discouraged. I'm just curious about how you guys feel about the situation and if I'm wrong.When I had my interview they only asked me why did I want to be a cna. And hired me on spot. Without calling my references or anything. I expected them to ask more and really determine if I was a true patient advocate. today was mine and another girls orientation. The other girl was 30 minutes late. Texted. Had a couple phone calls. Fell asleep. Didn't take out her tounge ring or cover her tattoos. I don't think there is anything wrong with piercing or tattoos but i believe they should be covered or removed just because its the Code of conduct. Then the girl and I were talking and she was like ya I only want this job for the money. & that's what she told them when they interviewed her. & when we went on the tour she would stop and talk to people she knew. & wasn't paying attention to the lady giving us a tour. When you work as part of a team it isnt only about yourself. its about everyone. My dad thinks I shouldn't worry about other people because when I get money they're not sharing it with me. All I need to worry about is myself. But I don't feel like that. In a healthcare team or any team, it isn't about you. It's about everyone involved. I want to work with people who care about the patients. Not the money. It's not about the money.its about the patients health. He said if I continue to think like I'm not gonna have this job for long. I'm just upset about what my dad told me and how orientation went. he thinks i'm looking to deep into it. Has anyone else felt like this, is this common? I'm just so upset about what happened and my dads comments.

My personal rule of thumb is to refrain from getting concerned with my coworkers' motivations for showing up to work. My coworkers do not share their earnings with me or pay my bills, so their reasons for working are purely up to them.My reasons for working are not all altruistic, either. I work because I have needs that must be met, too. These needs can only be met with the help of a steady paycheck. I work because I wish to be paid for the services that I render. I work because I need some cash flow to keep my bills paid. Working for free will not generate the money needed to keep a roof over my head, food on the table, or gas in the tank of my car. The moment my bosses wish to stop paying me for my labor shall be the same moment I stop showing up to work.

Being a CNA is not easy, it is tough work. If you get yourself all twisted around about other's motivations and/or behaviors, you will burn out in no time. Hence why perhaps your Dad felt that at that rate, you would be stressed and discouraged pretty quick.Do what you can to learn what you need to. Work to make your patient load comfortable. What others do, don't do, why they are there is left up to them.That is wonderful that your work ethic is a good one. Your Dad, I am sure, is proud of those things he instilled in you. Look at this as a stepping stone to really be in a place where you can look at all of the different ways one can advocate for a patient. You may want to go to nursing school. You may want to go into social work or case management. Or you may be quite pleased with the patient interaction that a CNA has, and be happy in your own duties.Whatever you decide, make a pact with yourself that you can not change someone else's behavior. Go in, do what you can, and leave the rest.

Concerning yourself with what co-workers do is one sure way to burn yourself out, especially if you don't think they're there for the right reasons. I've been guilty of having high expectations out of my co-workers. I think everyone should work as hard and take things as serious as I do. However, that's not the case and it can be frustrating. She was being honest about needing the money, and they hired her anyway. Hopefully she won't mistreat/abuse the patients, or put you at risk when you work with her. Really that is all you should expect from a co-worker.Your dad knows you best. He's telling you that you may need to lower your expectations because of his own experiences. I wouldn't get too upset about that, he's trying to keep you from setting yourself up for disappointment.

Since this is her first job, the OP may have an idealized perception of how health care operates, so it can come as a shock to find out that it really functions like other businesses. The vast majority of employees are motivated by salary, not committed to a vocation. It's all OK. Patients really don't care as long as their treatment is unaffected.

Quote from CNAEBI just had a conversation about a new job with my dad. This is my first ever job and I'm already discouraged. I'm just curious about how you guys feel about the situation and if I'm wrong.When I had my interview they only asked me why did I want to be a cna. And hired me on spot. Without calling my references or anything. I expected them to ask more and really determine if I was a true patient advocate. today was mine and another girls orientation. The other girl was 30 minutes late. Texted. Had a couple phone calls. Fell asleep. Didn't take out her tongue ring or cover her tattoos. I don't think there is anything wrong with piercing or tattoos but i believe they should be covered or removed just because its the Code of conduct. Then the girl and I were talking and she was like ya I only want this job for the money. & that's what she told them when they interviewed her. & when we went on the tour she would stop and talk to people she knew. & wasn't paying attention to the lady giving us a tour. When you work as part of a team it isnt only about yourself. its about everyone. My dad thinks I shouldn't worry about other people because when I get money they're not sharing it with me. All I need to worry about is myself. But I don't feel like that. In a healthcare team or any team, it isn't about you. It's about everyone involved. I want to work with people who care about the patients. Not the money. It's not about the money.its about the patients health. He said if I continue to think like I'm not gonna have this job for long. I'm just upset about what my dad told me and how orientation went. he thinks i'm looking to deep into it. Has anyone else felt like this, is this common? I'm just so upset about what happened and my dads comments.

you are only responsible for what you do. I agree, the other party sounds like trouble, but it is not your trouble. HOWEVER, if the management allows people to act like this then the behavior will only get worse and you will be miserable in that environment. My advice is to set a good example, put in time there, and if the culture of that job is totally against your values, then look for work elsewhere. It will be to your advantage to have experience.

You sound like you are going to be a good, caring CNA. And it is a bit disappointing to find out that not everyone is as motivated as you. But I just want to point out that every nurse, unless they function as volunteers or as nuns who practice as part of their vocation, are at least in part motivated by money. I love my job. Really and truly love it. But if they stopped paying me tomorrow, I'd have to move on. So yes, I do come to work for the money. But also for love, responsibility, and dedication. Go, do your job, and be a patient advocate. The rest will just drive you crazy if you let it.

As everyone else has said, worry about yourself, not her. In a perfect world, everyone would care about the patients, but you will come across coworkers who are only in it for the money. It's a shame, but that's how it is.