I got the job!.. and Now I'm freaking out :(!

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.

I haven't made that many posts, so I'll introduce myself first.

I'm Shannon, and I've been licensed as a CNA since last April 2006. I finally got the courage to be a CNA a few months ago. I've been very scared because I'm afraid of all the stress-- physical and mental-- that will go along with the job.

So, I applied at Hillcrest Baptist for several months and put in many applications. I wrote to HR and fortunately, that made them forward my application. I got my interview the next week. I was up against A LOT of people that they had been interviewing for 2 weeks. It was supposed to take at least a week to a week and a half for the final decision after my interview. However, somehow, the very next day I got the job :)! That was yesterday. Now I'm freaking out. I've never been a CNA before.

Can yall PLEASE let me know what to expect? I'm going as a PRN-CNA. I'm refreshing myself on BP's. I just need a quick refresher before I start. I start in a week or two. What all do you do? What can I expect as a PRN?

ALSO!!! Please remind me of all of the abbreviations.

I know that it sounds like I'm a know-nothing, but I'm a very fast learner. I can get the hang of it quick, I just dont want to show up on the job as a disappointment.

PLEASE HELP! :o :o

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Specializes in geriatric, hospice, med/surg.

Hi and welcome to the allnurses site!:welcome: I'm sure someone will read this and return a reply with a link to the abbreviations you need. I don't have the link but have them memorized forever! LOL (RN for 20 yrs.)

Be easy on yourself. You'll have a preceptor to train you and it will be easier than you think. You're putting too much pressure on you!

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Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.

Hi, and thanks for the reply :)

I guess I'm just really anxious because it's been so long since I had the class. Also, I dont know what to expect at the hospital, especially as a PRN (I wont have a regular schedule). I'm hoping I get a preceptor. I did my CNA clinicals at a nursing home and I overheard the older CNA's talking mess about the new CNA they got. (Even though they should have been thankful they received someone for as understaffed as they were.) I'm just afraid of initial impressions before I even get a chance to improve. I just dont want to get into nursing school without ever having experience in the field. And I think everyone should know what it is to be the small man on the totem pole so respect for them comes naturally when you move on up. That's just my philosophy :)

But any more help would be GREAT! Thanks yall :)

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Just stay calm! There will be alot to learn about policy and procedures, just take your time and go over your employee handbook, if you have questions go to your supervisor. Orientee paperwork may be long and very repititous but they seem to have reasons to need all of it, so don't feel bad when you need a nurse to sign off on it--as they had to do it once upon a time too!

You probably won't need a whole lot of abbreviations because most of your charting should be I&O and VS. There will probably be a list laying around there somewhere or in the front of every patients chart stating which abbreviations not to use, why not to, and what to use instead. Good Luck!!

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Specializes in LTC, AC, ER, Outpatient, Urgent Care.

Let me repeat: YOU ARE GOING TO BE FINE! :)

It's natural to be afraid, but you're not giving yourself any credit. You've gone through school, you passed, and now you're facing your first job. RELAX! (Ok, I know, I'll shut up about that)

To answer your BP question... pump up to 200. Slowly release the thumbvalve. The first beat you hear is the systolic (top number)... and just let the dial or mecury ride down, listening for each beat until you hear the last one... that's the diastolic (bottom number).

That's IT, Girlfriend!

As far as the abbreviations go:

V/S - Vital Signs

I&O - Intake and Output (there is usually a chart posted in the room detailing how many CCs are in a particular container, and a "hat" in the hopper to measure pee, vomitus and sometimes... the very unpopular liquid stool)

PRN - as needed

Stat - Right now!

ac - before a meal (I'm not sure, but maybe "pc" is after?"

BS - blood sugar

FBS - fasting blood sugar

qd - once a day

bid - twice a day

tid - three times a day

qid - four times a day

q2h - every 2 hours (Every three hours would be q3h, and so on)

Hope this helps

Chin UP! (Except when it rains... you get water up your nose :) )

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Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.

Just a little update for everyone: I started my general orientation this past Monday (2/5/7). For the first two days we did NOTHING but listen to speeches. The chaplain talked about the churches religous foundation, the guards talked about security, Medical Records Director talked about patient confidentiality, etc. It was pretty dull, but I'm past that now :)

Today we practiced good lifting techniques. Friday I will take my computer class to learn the hospital's electronic charting system on the intranet. Then next Monday I start my first "clinical" orientation. Everything after that is with a preceptor on whatever floor I'm on. :)

... So, in short, this hospital does as much as possible to orient new employees. I'm much more excited to start on the floor now :) Thanks for all of the help!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.
Just a little update for everyone: I started my general orientation this past Monday (2/5/7). For the first two days we did NOTHING but listen to speeches. The chaplain talked about the churches religous foundation, the guards talked about security, Medical Records Director talked about patient confidentiality, etc. It was pretty dull, but I'm past that now :)

Today we practiced good lifting techniques. Friday I will take my computer class to learn the hospital's electronic charting system on the intranet. Then next Monday I start my first "clinical" orientation. Everything after that is with a preceptor on whatever floor I'm on. :)

... So, in short, this hospital does as much as possible to orient new employees. I'm much more excited to start on the floor now :) Thanks for all of the help!

Glad to hear everything is going well. Enjoy orientation and keep us posted.

Regards,

Jay

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