First day on the floor as NA...WOW

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I would just like to say that I have SOOOO much respect for all of you! I picked up this job to gain some experience before entering nursing school this fall. Two days ago was my first day as a nurse assistant, but I had a one-on-one, so I didn't learn all that much. Yesterday, however, I followed another NA on the floor who had been working there for 10 years. She was wonderful and a great teacher. I helped with things like changing patients, emptying foleys, feeding a patient, taking blood pressure, taking blood sugars, etc. I can't believe how exhausted I was and how badly my feet were hurting at the end of my shift (new nursing shoes not broken in yet?) I loved working with the patients, though. Most of them were so sweet, and seemed to really appreciate my help. I work on a step-down unit from the ICU. I have to admit that I was apprehensive to work with the elderly, because I haven't had experience in that before, but they were all so nice and truly grateful.

I am nervous to go in to work again next week because the lady who was training me is going on vacation, and I am afraid I will be stuck on my own! I totally do not feel prepared for that, especially only having one day on the floor. I get the basics, but I am sure I will still need help and will still have lots of questions. Last night there were only two of us, and we had 18 patients!! I am so worried that I will feel rushed and make mistakes.

Last night as I was driving home, I was feeling a little discouraged; can I really do this job, let alone nursing?? :uhoh3: I left teaching to pursue this new career, and am realizing how COMPLETELY different the two are. I would still like to work with children, in peds, but how can I be 100% sure this field is really for me?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Last night there were only two of us, and we had 18 patients!!
The CNAs at my workplace would absolutely love to split 18 patients between 2 aides! The CNAs at my place of employment typically have 70 patients split between 3 aides. On critically understaffed nights, they have had to split the 70 patients between 2 aides.
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That is insane!! Actually, we were working as "one person" because I was in training mode, so it's probably not out of the ordinary to have an 18:1 ratio. Also, I work in a hospital, I'm not sure if that makes a difference. I don't see how you can give proper care to each patient when you have that many in an LTC facility. It's just not right.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I don't see how you can give proper care to each patient when you have that many in an LTC facility. It's just not right.
Yes, I agree. :(
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don't get discouraged so easily. try to think about another job that you had where you didn't quite feel comfortable until after a week or so after you started. it will all be in the past before you know it and you'll be right into the swing of things. i can remember so many stupid things that i have done when i started new jobs, but it's expected until you learn. those things become history and you'll be a pro before you know it. think of this job the same way. keep a positive attitude and just get it in your head that this is the career change you've chosen and you just have to get it done... period! gitrdun girl!! you'll be fine!

i'll be going through the same exact thing in a week or so, and i'll let you know how it goes. i can almost guarantee it will be the same for me, but we'll get through it! i refuse to believe that i can't handle anything that comes my way, and you do the same.;) this is nothing...

good luck and let us know how your next days go. you can message me if you want too. i'm always on my computer!! until i start working that is.....:bugeyes:

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Thanks for the support! Yes, I would love to keep in contact to talk with you and discuss how the job is going; both mine and yours. Good luck to you, I'm sure you will do fine also! ;)

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Specializes in ICU. Med/Surg: Ortho, Neuro, & Cardiac.
Yes, I agree. :(

I feel the same way. I have 30 patients a night and I work in acute care where the patients seem to be a lot more needy than they were when we did clinicals in LTC.

To the OP, don't let this discourage you. As time goes on, you become better and better at caring for your patients.

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Thank you for your replies! Do any of you plan on going into nursing after working as a CNA?

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Specializes in ICU. Med/Surg: Ortho, Neuro, & Cardiac.

I do. I want to work critical care/ER and become a CRNA down the road.

For right now, though, it's much easier for me to do respiratory therapy and I've always had interest in that...so I'll try it for a few years.

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Jared, Respiratory Therapy seems interesting. What kind of schooling do you need for that and what does it entail?

I had my second shift on the floor tonight, and I felt sooo much better already about working with the patients. Just the feeling of walking into the hospital, knowing I have a support team, and seeing how much gratitude the patients have for me, makes me feel so much better at the end of my shift. You guys were right about the fact that it will come more naturally with time.

I am working on setting up an appointment at a children's hospital to shadow both a pediatric nurse and a NICU nurse. I am very much looking forward to it, to see if my interest lands in either of these specialties. Although I have loved my elderly patients so far, I really LOVE and have a natural tendency to gravitate toward kids. :heartbeat

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Specializes in ICU. Med/Surg: Ortho, Neuro, & Cardiac.
Jared, Respiratory Therapy seems interesting. What kind of schooling do you need for that and what does it entail?

I had my second shift on the floor tonight, and I felt sooo much better already about working with the patients. Just the feeling of walking into the hospital, knowing I have a support team, and seeing how much gratitude the patients have for me, makes me feel so much better at the end of my shift. You guys were right about the fact that it will come more naturally with time.

I am working on setting up an appointment at a children's hospital to shadow both a pediatric nurse and a NICU nurse. I am very much looking forward to it, to see if my interest lands in either of these specialties. Although I have loved my elderly patients so far, I really LOVE and have a natural tendency to gravitate toward kids. :heartbeat

The standard has pretty much became an associate's degree, but there are still some certificate programs that are 1-1 1/2 years. Like nursing school, you have labs, clinicals, and class time. It should be interesting.

I know what you mean about feeling better on your second shift. It definitely gets, well, not easier, but you become more comfortable and better at time management.

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