First Job Orientation help!

[peachescna]

Hello everyone , I wanted to share soon in a few weeks ,I will start my orientation and do not know what to expect , since this is my very first job as a cna . and i get nervous when i approach to people to introduce myself and more with the patients. I'm not very good at talking and interacting I feel like if I'm gonna say something wrong .they do orientation once a month . And I guess I will not be alone . but can you guys give advice or share what did you do your first time. Do you have to knock each patient s door to introduce them as their new caregiver or CNA ? and how best to keep it short and professional. Thanks in advance.

[Missingyou, CNA]

Your first day or 2 will be sitting and reviewing policy/procedures and various required inservices.

The next few or several days, depending on the facility where you work, you will probably shadow another CNA. You will meet many of the residents you will care for. You can introduce yourself or the other CNA will introduce you. It's simple, just do what you did in clinicals!

I use to be a bit shy and not good at conversations, but you will get to know your residents. If you're working in a nursing home, think of it this way, many of the residents will either not be able to carry a real conversation or won't remember what you've said in a short time. Some won't be able to communicate at all. Just do what you are comfortable and at a minimum tell them your name and why you are there....to help them. A smile is worth a thousand words in a nursing home setting!

As far as conversations with your co-workers, you will have very little to NO time for any conversation other than asking for help with 2 person assists and planning out a routine.

I have seen many times on here other new CNA's talking about how the other aides don't help the newbie out, so be ready for that, and just keep being professional and helpful to them... It wouldn't hurt to look through some of the posts here about being a new CNA and what advice is given. It's pretty typical unfortunately.

In a month or so, you will wonder what you worried about.

Good luck.

YOU GOT THIS!

[peachescna]

Thank you MissingYou !!!!

for taking your time giving me your well explained advice. I do really appreciate it. Blessings

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

You'll do okay!!! I had the exact same worries as you, even after clinicals. My mind was so worried about the residents not liking me or really having a care about me like they do other staff. I moved to a very small town, it was my first CNA job, and everyone knows everyone. A lot of the staff grew up knowing the residents and their families. I felt like an outsider, especially since I'm a minority. It is really nerve wracking at first, I'm not going to lie. I was nervous for about the first week but then I started to get to know the residents and they started to know my face. Three weeks in, I know most of the residents by name, have even given some of them nicknames, can go up to the no problem and joke with them. It really grows into a good relationship, I love all the residents and they make my day every day. Even if you don't grow a bond with them like that, I guaranteed your fears will dissipate. You will get comfortable :)

[Rodrinka]

Yup orientation is the easy part lol, at my job they do an overview of the facility, a tour of the facility, different staff members came and talked to us, and took pics for our badge...it lasted 3 days and then we shadowed a cna for 9 days.

[Nursing24/7, LVN]

Tons of paperwork signing, going over the facility policies & procedures & employee handbook. Then depending on where you work, you'll shadow a CNA for a week or two to get you acquainted with the patients. That's it. Easy peasy. The hard part is getting through those first couple weeks working a shift on your own but with time it will all become second nature :-) you'll be fine.