Hate my new CNA job but I want to be a nurse... please help!

Students CNA/MA

Published

Hi all, I'm hoping someone can help me with an issue I'm having at my new job. I just started a job as a CNA after passing my state exam, and the first couple days of training went pretty well. However, on my third training day, the aide I was training with essentially had me do all her work. I've only been an aide for about a week, and I have no idea what I'm doing. I don't feel like my coworkers are willing to help me, and I'm afraid to hurt my residents by performing procedures incorrectly. I'm becoming stressed out and dreading going back to a job where I'm expected to do things I don't know how to do. For you CNAs, how did you learn all the things a CNA is expected to do? Did you have better training, or did you pick it up as you went along? Not sure if I'm just at a bad facility, or if it's like this everywhere...

roser13, ASN, RN

6,504 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

You've passed your state certification exam. What are you being expected to do that is unfamiliar to you?

Who is the CNA supervisor? Have you told him/her that you feel inadequately trained?

all23nurses

4 Posts

Performing care on a mannequin and a real resident are quite different. But in addition to that, I'm being asked to use machines like sit-to-stand lifts, Hoyer lifts, etc. that I've never been trained on as they are not a part of the state exam. There is only one supervisor who is not present during my shift since I work afternoons. I don't want to leave residents without care, but I don't want to handle them incorrectly and hurt them...

Specializes in Critical care.

You are going to have to find a way to reach out to your supervisor(s).

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

What type of workplace setting is this? I assume you work in the LTC/SNF/nursing home setting or an assisted living facility.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities generally do not offer ample time or money for new hire orientations. Training new employees is just not in the budget at the majority of these types of places.

In other words, a few days of on-the-job training is all you will ever get, regardless of whether this is your first CNA position. Your learning will occur via baptism by fire. Good luck to you.

lindseylpn

420 Posts

You mentioned practicing on mannequins, did you not have clinicals? When I took the CNA program, we had like 4-6 weeks of clinicals in several different facilities. It was all hands on training and although we didn't learn how to use all equipment, the hoyer lift was one of the first things we learned to use. By the end of our program we were expected to know enough to be able to essentially work on our own.

I'm sorry you're having a hard time at your facility but, maybe your trainer is in the same mindset that you should already know these things from your CNA course? Maybe look up some videos on YouTube, I'm not sure about CNA stuff but, I know there are some great info on nursing procedures on there, it couldn't hurt to look.

all23nurses

4 Posts

My state only gives 16 hours of clinicals, and we were only allowed to watch, not participate in patient care. Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely look up some videos. I got the facility to give me a comprehensive list of procedures I'm expected to perform so I can practice and try to feel more comfortable.

all23nurses

4 Posts

It is a LTC/rehab facility. I kind of got the idea from administration that training isn't really a priority, so I guess it makes sense. I did manage to find an aide who really knows what she's doing and seems willing to help, so hopefully I'll pick up some tips from her. Baptism by fire sure is an accurate description!

berdawn, ASN

30 Posts

Can you start looking for a patient care position at a hospital? You will likely have much better training.

Ms Petite 93

250 Posts

I was only trained for literally one day and half of that day I was on my own !! I didn't even have a CNA license either..I was waived in as a tech for passing my first semester of fundamentals in nursing school. Anywho I was trained for probably two to three days before I was let go on my own. I had to learn very quickly on my own and ask questions despite the nurses rolling their eyes to perform at the adequacy of where I'm at today. I would suggest youtubing and just working your tail off. Should you need help with equipment ask for help from your nurse or another aide if possible. Most likely the nurse. It's the nurses' patient too. Do not be afraid to ask for help and avoid injury to yourself as well as your patient. You got this!! Just keep swimming ..you'll be fine.

verene, MSN

1,790 Posts

Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

As a new CNA in assisted living I got about 5 days of very spotty training and then was on my own. It felt like trial by fire. Each shift felt so difficult and half the time I had no idea what I was doing. Sometimes it felt difficult to ask questions because everybody else was super busy too, but I still asked. About 2-3 months into it, everything started to feel more natural, and I came to generally enjoy work.

Unfortunately a lot of CNA skills you learn best from doing, so until you have done something a number of times it is hard. Same with time management - as you go on and learn a routine, you start to pick up more efficient ways of doing things, knowing which tasks would be good to combine, and which ones aren't. You also get to know your residents better and that helps a lot, as well as improving your ability to work with the other staff at your facility.

Try to stick it out for a little while. Give yourself a time frame to hold to - maybe a couple of months. If at the end of that time everything still feels like a mess, and you hate your job - look for work elsewhere.

Newbie93017

14 Posts

When I first started 2 months ago that's exaxtly how I felt. I felt underprepared and scared to hurt people. And even 2 months in, I sometimes still feel that way. Clinicals for me was 6 days at a LTC facility. And I had used a hoyer only one time. Given one shower. Mostly fed and changed people. Bed baths with my lad partners help.

When i got on the floor the very first day alone, I was a mess. I cried a little. I thought Man maybe I'm not cut out for this or man I suck at this. 2 months in, it's getting better but I am rethinking things. This particular facility is not exactly good and fellow aides don't want to be bothered even when all you want is a spot for a hoyer resident. Idk, I understand where you're coming from. But hopefully it'll get easier for you.

Me, I'm rethinking my career path if it doesn't get better by March.

+ Add a Comment