Nurses and nursing assistants are all part of the same team and have the same goal: provide quality care to clients in need. So why is it that nurses and CNAs don't always see eye to eye? Here's what a few CNAs across the U.S. had to say recently: Alisha said, "I have a lot of respect for nurses but some of them are only nice to the CNAs who are their friends. Nurses and CNAs should practice teamwork and respect each other's rights. Otherwise we are not going to have a peaceful work environment." Shay said, "It takes communication. If we are not able to get to something that a patient really needs urgently (like a walk or to be turned), we should at least tell the nurse that we are busy so she can delegate elsewhere or take care of the patient herself." Barbara said, "I'm lucky. I work with nurses who listen to CNA input and thank us when we report problems with our clients. But, as CNAs, if we can't show our worth by being an important part of the healthcare team, guess who gets the axe when times get lean?" Lori said, "I love my job and will stick it out but when I'm doing a good job and don't get any good feedback-just constant criticism instead-that is when the going gets tough. Just a little praise goes a long way." Do any of the above statements sound familiar? If so, here are 8 tips for creating a "friction-free" team of nurses and nursing assistants: Avoid the "grapevine". Unfortunately, it seems that when humans get together in groups, gossiping and talking behind other people's backs is common. This is very destructive behavior! Try to keep your personal feelings about co-workers to yourself, and refuse to listen to gossip. You'll have a happier workplace! Say thank you. If you wish that the nurses or CNAs would express their gratitude to you more often, try sending some appreciation their way. For example try saying, "Thanks for helping me finish up with Mr. Jones. You really saved my morning!" Chances are, your kindness will come back to you! Praise yourself, too! At the end of each work day, tell yourself a few things that you did really well that day, such as, "I finished all my client care on time today." or "I really feel good about how I handled that disagreement with Susan." or "Mrs. Smith and I had such a good conversation during her bath today." Remember that being professional means that you admit both your mistakes and your achievements. Be willing to listen. People who choose to work in nursing tend to be sensitive to the needs of others. They are expected to be warm and caring people. Yet at the same time, they are expected never to make a mistake and to work as tirelessly as machines. It's a lot to ask of people-to be kind and sensitive and still get all the work done quickly! But, this is the goal for everyone in the nursing field. Help your nursing team by encouraging them to talk to you when they are stressed and by being willing to share your feelings with them. No one knows better what the stresses of your job are than the other nurses and nursing assistants! Stick to the rules. Don't ever perform a task that you know is beyond your training-no matter who asks you to do it! For example, let's say your supervisor is a registered nurse and she asks you to change the sterile dressing on Mr. Tucker's chest wound-just this once. You know it's against regulations but you want to make your supervisor happy. Don't do it! You could lose your job, as well as your ability to work as a nursing assistant. Be a problem solver! When talking with your nursing team, offer solutions not just problems. Your team will benefit from your creative ideas and your ability to solve problems. Don't be shy about offering your opinion about how to make things better for your co-workers and your clients. Keep it to yourself. Never say anything negative about another team member-especially to a client. For example, during her bath, Mrs. Miller says to her aide, Roberta, "Oh, that nurse, Sylvia...she's mean. She's always telling me what to do." If Roberta says, "You're right, Mrs. Miller. Sylvia can really be a witch!" what do you think that will do to Mrs. Miller's relationship with her nurse? Even if Roberta dislikes Sylvia, she should support her work with the client and say something like, "Mrs. Miller, you must get tired of all of us coming in and out of your room. But, we all want to help you get better." Remember your clients. Most people get into nursing because they want to help others, right? Sometimes, this fact gets lost if nurses and nursing assistants aren't getting along as well as they should. In the end, sharing information about clients is the most important communication for your nursing team. Whether you communicate in writing, with an oral report, during a meeting or one-on-one, it's all about working together for the best interests of the client. Don't let anything get in the way of that.
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