Brand new CNA - tips?

Clarifier S'il vous · Sep 24, 2016

Congratulation on landing your first CNA job! BTW: We both have the same ultimate goal of becoming a CNM. Pretty cool!

Always carry a good pen, your staffing sheet (if your facility has these), a pocket full of clean gloves, and some breath mints (lol).

Ask your facility manager about pumping breaks for nursing moms.

Plan your day around what the nursing and other staff, such as PT & OT, need most. The nurses often need to know vitals right off the bat, so they can issue the proper meds first thing. They also need to be made aware of anything out of the ordinary that you notice. On that note, be sure to get vitals done as quickly as possible at the beginning of your shift and enter this information into their chart and inform the nurse of anything that doesn't seem right to you immediately.

Have your patients ready for PT & OT as early as possible, if this is an issue on your unit. This means having their new PT/OT schedules written out on the white board right after vitals. It also means hustling to get everyone up, fed, showered/bed baths, clean clothes, combed hair, brushed teeth, etc. After all of this is done, you should be able to take a 15 minute break. After that, get your rooms straightened up, beds made, do some charting and get ready for the next meal (if you are on day shift). We normally stagger our lunch breaks so that each CNA is back from lunch before the patients are served their lunch trays.

Be sure to check on everyone at least every two hours and keep them clean, fed, hydrated, changed, turned, etc, as needed. Chart when you can and take your breaks on time. There will always be something else to do but you need your breaks so you can keep going.

That's not all! LOL. Keep those laundry & trash bags emptied. Be sure everyone has fresh water and anything else they may need. It's a never-ending job but as you go along, you will find a routine that generally allows you to get everything done that needs to be done.

Remember that it is all about team work. If someone needs your help and you are not in the middle of something you can't stop, drop what you are doing and help them as soon as possible. Go the extra mile and it will be appreciated.

Good luck and keep us posted! :)

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Sep 26, 2016

What tips do you have for me?

Work hard. Don't get lazy, people will notice. The harder you work as a CNA/PCA the better people (Fellow PCAs, nurses, management, etc.) will view you and rely on you. It'll definitely help you get a job once you become a nurse as well as any letters of recommendations you might need for school.

What I should carry in my pockets?

Bandage scissors. Pens. I also carry gum and lip gloss but those are not necessities.

How can I best organize my work so that it flows efficiently and also gives me adequate time for patients who need it?

This is hard to say because every facility is different and it'll be even more different for you working as a float employee on multiple units. You'll go through orientation and learn other people's ways of doing things but once you're actually working by yourself you'll find your own way to do things as well as your own routine. I try and make call lights a priority, but I work in the ER so that is hard to do sometimes.

How can I make myself stand out as a great employee?

Again, work HARD. Don't get lazy!!! Make small talk with your coworkers. I am not a talky type of person but I noticed that people like me more when I do talk :)

I'm breastfeeding my 6 month old daughter... what about pumping breaks?

At my facility, breastfeeding mothers let the charge nurse know that they need to pump, so they go pump. It may be different at your facility but I doubt it.

How can I keep from making clumsy or stupid newbie mistakes?

You'll make mistakes. It's normal. The best way to avoid mistakes during orientation is to ask questions, clarify things, etc. To avoid mistakes once you're out of orientation, ask your coworkers for help. Ask another PCA, preferably, because I've learned that the nurses don't know too much about our work :)

Laura_G_in_ID · Sep 27, 2016

Thank you for the excellent tips! I start orientation next week. I'm super excited and a little nervous. I am no stranger to hard work, and I'm an outgoing person who likes to make friends of everyone I meet. I hope float pool ends up being exactly the right fit for me. I think it will be. I'll keep everyone posted after I attend orientation. It's a 3-day orientation, professional dress... time to raid my stay-at-home-mother closet, lol!