Can a shy person be a good CNA?

[Angela89]

Hey everyone

I haven't really posted here before, but I read all the time. I just started my CNA course last week and we had our first clinical yesterday. It was just an orientation showing us how to change/shower residents, make beds, read charts and stuff like that. We also had to go into the dining room during meal times and sit/talk with residents or help them eat. I am a really shy person, I can't just start up conversations with random people, so I just chose a resident who couldn't feed themselves or really talk so I just fed her the entire time and I was watching most of the other students with their bubbly outgoing personalities going from table to table talking to all the residents with a huge smile on their faces. This really worries me. I am just not that type of person and it really makes me feel I will fail as a CNA. Our next clinical we get our own resident to care and I am so scared.

Any advice?

[NurseAgatha]

As a practicing nurse who supervises CNA's on a daily basis, I can assure you that these are the most important qualities of a good CNA:

-Prioritizing safety (this includes promptly reporting to the nurse any concerns about the patient)

-Following infection control practices

-Upholding patient dignity

-Cooperating and communicating with the nurses and other CNA's

-Working efficiently and punctually

-Having patience, compassion, and integrity

The only problem I can think of with being shy as a CNA is if it hinders your communication (patient-related) with the nurses and other CNA's. Otherwise---YES, a shy person can be a good CNA! Your biggest focus should be on meeting their safety and other physiological needs. If you're not good with small talk, that's okay. Just remember to smile enough :-)

[funtimes]

I think shy CNAs do just fine, it's just harder for them starting out. It terms of competence, attention to detail, time management, etc, a shy CNA can do just as well as anyone else, and sometimes better(time management usually. I remember its annoying working with really outgoing CNAs who ignored call lights because they were always talking or chatting with someone.