cna is hard work

[la mama 310]

I did two weekends of clinicals so far, it's really hard because during the diaper change for one lady she who could

speak only a little bit, she was crying and mumbling "I am not here, I am not here". i feel alot of empathy for people and I can understand how extremely hard it must be to have someone help you with you ADL's. I don't like

or understand why some CNA's don't even bother to cover the bottom part of a resident while cleaning the top

part, and vice versa. I understand that we don't have alot of time with 7 or 10 to get ready, but it's doesn't take

extra time to cover someone up in one area while you are cleaning another area. We are running around and probably feel hot, if they are bed bound, old they probably have poor cirulation and will be colder. DUH.

[texastaz]

With experience things will come second nature to you and your classmates. Team work is also very important. Just about every home has The Chanter (One who repeats a phrase over and over), The Princess (one who constantly needs their pillow adjusted and feels the sheet is not smooth under them), The Biter, The Pervert, true heartbreakers and so on. :hrnsmlys: Good Luck!

[bigbadduck]

:yeahthat: Too funny texastaz!

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

Don't forget about the Screamers, the Jumpers, and the Persecuted Ones.

[yousoldtheworld]

And, as for not covering the residents?

Just wait. You'll find that most of those residents are so used to it, they could hardly care less and in fact are likely to throw their clothes off before you could even reach for something to cover them with.

Everyone's idealistic and "appalled" during clinicals. Everyone.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

Or they'll start to undress themselves in the middle of the hallway when no one is looking.

[Equinox_93]

And, as for not covering the residents?

Just wait. You'll find that most of those residents are so used to it, they could hardly care less and in fact are likely to throw their clothes off before you could even reach for something to cover them with.

Everyone's idealistic and "appalled" during clinicals. Everyone.

... Just because someone is "used to" poor treatment doesn't mean one should provide it. One should make the effort and if the resident prefers it differently (not to be covered) that is up to them- they can throw off the cover or throw their clothes off if that is their preference.

[la mama 310]

Yeah I think so too. And talking to them while you are doing tasks... "Just lift up

this arm for me, I'm just cleaning your underarm area...there you go , now lift it

down" Little things like that. I haven't seen other people really talk to the residents while they are helping them get ready. We forget that they can listen

because they can't talk.

[texastaz]

When I took my state - part of talking to the patient was a big part. Covering the patient properly is also part of the test. My question is - after clinicals do you have class discussions about observations and struggles? Also-did you or did you not address it to the other student in reference of the patient not being covered? I know the instructor doesn't see everything and I am sure you don't want to be a tatal tale. I do know sometimes in clinicals-you just miss it and if it isn't pointed out you -you don't even realize it. Sometimes you might realize it after the fact when reflecting back on your own work when reading over you text. I don't think you want for your classmate to fail the state exam - or vise versa. - So truely my point is you could have told your classmate without saying it to them in a judgemental, bossy or know it all attitude. I am sure they would be grateful and in return watch your back, too.

[texastaz]

PS-I hope you don't take my above post negetive. That is one of the best things about this board also-is to let off steam, laugh a little and knowing we are all in the same boat navigating through the ice bergs at times.:heartbeat

[whodunit]

CNA is hard work and a lot of times unappreciated.I think what all the other posts say is true and yeah , after awhile it is funny at times but you are on the right track:yeah:.As corny as it may sound, keep on doing" unto others as you would have them do unto you".It sounds like you will be a great cna!keep up the good work !

[la mama 310]

no not all, thanks for your input. Yes we have post conference. All of us students share the same view that the residents should be more covered .. (one

of the 6 principals of care) and about talking to our residents while doing ADLs.

It's not us, it the staff we are learning from. Of course our instructors are wonderful and tell us that in the real world sometimes people get into routines and don't do things by the text book, but we should do it the right way. I think

what it comes down do is... CNA is hard work, it's hard enough to get the job

done right, how many of us can do a perfect job. It's hard enough to help these

folks who don't have family, living off a feeding tube, and can't do their ADLS by

themselves. It's hard to talk to people who don't talk back. But if you feel nursing is your calling, and you have true empathy for these folks than I think

you would want to to the extra mile and always give them as much privacy and

keep on talking all the time, because they can hear us.