Cynical after 3 Clinicals :( Is there another career choice?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Specializes in CNA.

I started my CNA program. Class room is great! But after 3 Clinicals, I'm already feeling frustrated and cynical.

We had hands on training last week for the first time and were each assigned a Resident to feed. I had a wonderful woman Resident (bedridden), who was not cognitive, but could manage a few words that I could not understand, but of course pretended to.

She was also on a pureed diet. Our instructor did not tell us how much time we should take to feed. I proceeded to feed her slowly, held her hand, stroked her hair and told her how pretty her hair was. She still looked confused, but I was sooo ecstatic when I finally got her to smile over and over by making silly gestures about myself. :)

She dozed off for a few minutes, so I waited until she woke and proceeded to feed her. Honestly, I just bonded with this Resident. Perhaps empathy? As I knew this is probably how she spent her entire day? In bed, without any visual stimulation (except her TV), no hand holding? :( I was told she never had visitors.. :(

My instructor came in rather upset because it took me so long. My class was already down stairs taking their break! Secondly, as I was giving my Resident juice from a plastic cup, I was leaning over her as I could not see from eye level if she had her mouth open. (Didn't want to spill it on her)

Instructor was upset because I was standing above her. Even though I explained why.

Just reading this board which is great, by the way! (Thank you all for sharing.) It seems like there isn't enough time to give a Resident quality contact time, which seems to be so important for them and for my self satisfaction.

You all seem to be over loaded with so many patients - (Bless you all) Can you even spend quality personal time with your Residents?

I'm not so sure this is the right career path for me... Is Assisted Living a better suit? Can anyone recommend a career with more one on one time, but still make a decent salary with benefits?

Thank you so much for reading my "Book". :)

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well i start my cna/stna classes monday !

maybe home health care? you just deal with one person at a time at their house you would get more one on one time

im not sure tho im new to this too but good luck :) !!!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

In my experience there is just way too much to do and not enough time. You may want to look into home health, private duty, or hospice care. At least it's one to one care.

Being a CNA is a challenge. I wish you lots of luck.

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Specializes in CNA.

Thank you the State Forum tip! :)

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

A lot of assisted living facilities in my state are now requiring that the caregivers be CNA's. I agree with the others, you should look into home health or hospice. Good luck!

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant.

I would consider giving home health care a try if I were you. I gave it a try at a LTC facility right after becoming certified and it WAS NOT for me at all. :eek: I too wanted to spend more time with the elderly and found I was in "rush, rush" mode taking care of 12 to 16 residents on any given shift. I left LTC and was hired the same day with a home health agency that found a client for me right away. I now work a little over 30 hours a week taking care of a couple clients in their home. It is so rewarding and I actually look forward to going to work! :yeah: I just love my clients and love getting my experience as a CNA working in home health care. Good luck with your decision!

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Specializes in Student VN | Critical Care.

I'm sorry your instructor was such a pain.

And to be honest CNA's don't get enough time to spend with their patients unfortunately. But as a CNA you spend much more time with patients than nurses do. I love to take care of people but I wish I could be a CNA for a bit longer lol. I always loved taking care of my patients and giving bathes and spending that little extra time while doing vitals to chit chat =P

Anyway I really do hope you continue. It seems like you are passionate about caring for people and that's what makes the best CNA's!

Also consider this.. There is a reason why patients call CNA's their nurse and not the nurses lol.

Anyways good luck!

you can message me if you want to ask me any questions :)

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I work in home care, and you will have time to bond with a person. Most CNAs would probably love to spend the time doing all the extras and getting a chance to learn about the lives of the alert and oriented patients, or read to those who get no visitors, etc.

If you decide the job isn't for you, you could still be a volunteer or work as a sitter to accomplish the same thing. Best wishes to you!

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Give clinicals more time. Ask questions, such as how do you feed this resident, what do you do if she falls asleep. Is this the right way to give fluids.

It sounds like you need guidance from the CNA who takes care of this pt.

Your instructor could have been instructive, rather than critical. Ask the instructor for advice and direction, you need to put the instructor in teaching mode when they become critical. Sometimes the instructors forget to teach.

Good luck and try to enjoy and learn as much as possible.

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Specializes in CNA.

Thank you all for sharing and offering different ideas. I think Assisted Living, or Home Health might be a better fit.

I'm 50 years old, so this is all new to me. The only medical background I have was working in a major Clinical Laboratory for 20 years. (Quest Diagnostics)

Does Home Health pay a livable salary? Are you an independent contractor or work for an agency?

Nursel56 mentioned a "Sitter". Could someone tell me what that is?

Thanks - I'm sure I'll have a million more questions... :)

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Specializes in Student VN | Critical Care.

A sitter is basically someone who sits in the room with a patient who assists w/ ADL's, keeps them safe and keeps them company. I think you can be hired to do this by a family or agency.

Whenever I was a sitter at the hospital I worked, It was usually for patients who are confused and pulling IVs, NGTs, Vent tubes, etc. or people on suicide precautions.

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The instructor may have been frustrated as you will have to learn to be efficent and manage time when you are a CNA. In the real world of a CNA if a patient falls asleep during a meal you have to wake them up and continue feeding... if you do not you will never get done and in real life that means that another resident isnt getting to the bathroom, or getting their brief changed, or getting repositioned.....

see the issue?

Being a Cna requires you making the best of your time with residents, and there is a lot of multi tasking. You can communicate while you are working- you have to multitask to be sucessful.

Think of it as you are there to get a job done and provide smiles and companionship along the way... but you can not give one resident 2 hours to feed them and completely ignore the other 10 that need help. It is a balancing act.

While you are doing your clinicals just think of how you can be efficent and caring at the same time!

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