New CNA still in Highschool! HELP!

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Hello everyone! I'm new to the world of nursing and allnurses.com :)

Here's a bit about me,

I'm a 17 year old male senior in highschool from Iowa! I'm active in my highschool's jazz band, drama department, speech department, National Honor Society, and concert band. And I'm also involved in TaeKwonDo twice a week, my youth group, and a weekly bible study :)

Basically, I started working at my current (first) facility about a month and a half ago, after taking my CNA class in June. And may I just say I WAS NOWHERE NEAR READY FOR IT.

My facility is a 60 bed facility, generally having 45-50 beds full (I think) and most often only with 4 CNAS ON STAFF (unless someone is orientating in which case there are 5 (#heaven).

I only had two weeks of orientation, if that. That consisted of four 5-9 shifts on Hall 2 (At our facility Halls 1 and 2 are the more difficult, 2-transfer halls and halls 3-4 are easier, helping the hall directly across the facility (1&3, 2&4)) and one full 2-10 shift on that all as well...

And then I was on my own, fresh out of school still barely hanging on for dear life, trying to keep up in my facility. And I was put on Hall 3, which I had never trained on before.

The first two weeks were extremely stressful and disheartening, (having a resident end up on the floor my first night alone (only to later find out she was a 2-transfer I was not informed of)).

Now, I feel as if I'm possibly starting to get my bearings straight until someone mentions tonight "Just enjoy it buddy. You'll be on Hall 1 or 2 before you know it!" and I about threw up right in their face. I can barely handle the easy halls on my own LET ALONE a hall full of 2 assists and Hoyers (which I cant operate).

Sorry for all of the rambling, basically my current dilemma is that I have no self confidence whatsoever in my nursing ability. I'm a big ole' softy and my residents always give me nothing but praise, telling me how good I'm doing, but I never believe them, because I don't think I'm fast or good enough. Every day before I have to go to work I nearly have a full on panic attack (my past anxiety issues not aiding in this at all). And not only working two 4 hours a week and a full weekend every other weekend. I tend to have to give up things I used to do like Sunday night youth group, Wednesday youth group, Tuesday bible studies, etc.

So I guess I'm just wondering if anyone could spread some comfort? I'm having so many frustrations already that I'm doubting that I am cut out for nursing. Also I would appreciate any advice other CNAs past and present could share. I'm just crossing my fingers until the day that I turn 17 so I can finally work at the hospital instead of a nursing home.

Please help!,

Stressed Senior

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It'll take time, but you will get there eventually.

One day you'll look back and think 'I can't believe I used to stress over _____'

I started in community, then moved to a facility similar to yours finishing in the hospital setting. I now have a new grad job in the operating theatre. It's been an amazing work life so far and very rewarding!

It'll be hard but if you stick at it, slowly but surely you'll get quicker/better. I think alot of the older staff sometimes forget that they once knew nothing too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Long term care.

First, you MUST give yourself more credit. Confidence is very important. It takes time to learn and to get the hang of it...you WILL get there with a little more experience under your belt!!!

Second, you are still very young...if this job is causing you so much stress and you end up missing out on the things you enjoy like your youth group and bible study, I think it's time to step back. You are only this young once. Enjoy your high school years! You have enough time to get any needed "experience" AFTER high school! While it's good to plan ahead, you don't need to rush things.

You shouldn't have to be so stressed out over a job while in high school. It will take a toll on your grades and on your desire to be the awesome nurse that you will be someday!

I'm not sure if you can do home care, being 17, but I'd look into it, at least while you are in high school anyway. You can get your 6 months experience in later. If you really want the experience of working in a nursing home and learning what a nurse can do there, you may be better off just volunteering there.

Seriously, this nursing home does sound pretty typical for a CNA to work in. Do you REALLY need the stress right now? I don't think you do.

P.S. EVERY SINGLE new CNA that I have ever come in contact with (myself included) has said, "I was no where near ready for working in a nursing home"! So, you're not alone in that thought. It's normal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Try not to get discouraged. I think it is very commendable that you are getting your feet wet in the nursing field at your age. I certainly wasn't so mature at that age! Keep in mind that you are doing a great thing. The way I see it is being a "softy" isn't a weakness, it is a strength because you care greatly about your residents. They see that! Also keep in mind that being fast is not everything, being thorough is! I'm definitely not the fastest CNA where I work, but I always walk away knowing that my resident is okay and that I did the best that I could. When residents praise you, that means something! You're doing a great job, oftentimes you can be your toughest critic, though. Speed will come later, but earning residents' trust and respect comes first. Nursing certainly isn't an easy field to get into, but if you have the heart and the work ethic you're well on your way. Don't doubt yourself, follow your dream.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with the others that it just takes time, and try to look at the positives things that you can do and are comfortable with MORE then the things that get you wound up into knots. Try to find that moment in your day that you know you did a good job, or that moment when you seen that greatful smile from one of your residents, and know you can be a good CNA and that you can make a positive differance at your work place.

Talk to your fellow CNAs and don't be afraid to ask for helpful tips and how they do things. They might give you advise that will make all the difference in the world for you and all the sudden a certain tasks becomes much easier and it will be one more thing that you can feel comfortable with.

Hoyer is scary when you first start off, but thank you lucky stars that you always have another pair of hands and eyes that will be able to help you hoyer. I work as a Home Care CNA and right now I have one client that I have to hoyer from her bed to bath chair every morning on my own and yes it is scary and enought to make me want to throw up. The key though is to NOT RUSH and do things slowly and methotically so you don't forget a step that will hurt your resident.

I think one of the reasons that the other CNAs are practically drooling over the idea of you in the halls with the 2 people assist is that you are a guy. Lets face it even a 17 year old guy can be stronger many times then us 30 year old women and can be very helpful in certain transfer situations.

Also I agree as well that as a high school student you seem to have a lot on your plate, and I hate to see you under so much stress when your last year of high school should be a memorable and enjoyable time. If it becomes too much for you maybe you could talk to someone about it and that perhaps they might even hire you back this next summer after you graduate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You'll build up the confidence for it over time. It really depends on where you work and what department you work for. LTC from my experience is hard and the hoyer hall (all hoyer transfer) is really just breathe taking, hahaha.

I used to stress about working alone in the preop and recovery unit of an outpatient surgery center because it's back and forth in two different units, and one patient goes to the OR and suddenly there's two patient coming out of the OR and one patient ready to leave the recovery unit. After a couple of months working there, I got used to it and it's now less stressful on my mind and body. You'll just have to deal with the fact that you can't please everybody even though you are doing the right thing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Home Care, Dr Office/Clinic.

I'm a new CNA too & have anxiety issues as well, so I know what you mean but this is what has helped me. Just breath & go in there every night with the thought of I CAN do this. You're only as good as you think you are. Be the best you can be. The first month is always the hardest because you are learning the ropes of your facility. But hang in there! Take it 1 day at a time, 1 patient at a time. The being fast part will come with time...CNA work is all about time management. Learn as much as you can about the patients & use that info to your advantage. Once you know the patients well, go in each shift with a game plan...ie if most people start their end of shift rounds at 1:30 start yours at 1 until you get faster & develop your own routine.

Give it time. Don't be so tough on yourself the job is not easy. But with time it will become second nature & you'll be a pro!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I'm surprised you can work in a nursing home as a CNA at only 16. In my area you must be 18 to work home care, hospital or LTC due to liability and legal consent issues (a minor child cannot consent to a HIPAA confidentiality agreement, among other issues with labor laws).

Perhaps step aside, enjoy your high school years and wait until you graduate HS or even summer or holiday breaks to work more hours. You are only young once.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi StressedSenior!

May I ask why you are working so much? Is it due to finances?

If not, you should really try to tone down the working and get back to living your life as a Senior in high school.

You shouldn't judge being a nurse in general with the work of a CNA in LTC. I salute them as my mom is in a dementia unit and I work as a team with our hospital's CNA staff but you do not have to be a CNA and work as a CNA to become a nurse for the most part. Some programs are asking students to take the CNA course, but most do not as you learn bedside care in the beginning of the program.

I am also concerned about the lack of time for being oriented to the job you do - if you are expected to use the Hoyer lift, you should have training and feel safe.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello everyone! :) Just a quick update!

I'm finally (knock on wood) starting to get into the groove of things! I see myself picking up my pace a little bit while still taking good care of my residents :D I'm personally satisfied with how I treat people and do my job :)

Don't get my wrong, I still have some issues, but they aren't as more centered on myself as on others and my facility. For instance, this past weekend one aide that I really like(d) called in Saturday because she was fighting with her husband and her kids were sick..... and her husband didn't have to work, and then on Sunday she didn't even call in, she just didn't show up! It upsets me when people do this because it makes everything harder for everyone! More stress on us CNAs because we're spread thin (3 CNAs left to put a 4 hall facility to bed, 2 of us unable to operate Hoyers), more stress on the residents because we can't get them to bed as quickly or efficiently, and further increases the staffing issue! We've already had two aids who were new get fired because they would always call in to work or show up several hours late!

I'm just now frustrated with the staffing situation, but hopefully I'll be out of this facility by May (after they finish reimbursing me for my class)!

Thanks all :)

-StressedSenior

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice.

I'm just now frustrated with the staffing situation, but hopefully I'll be out of this facility by May (after they finish reimbursing me for my class)!

Thanks all :)

-StressedSenior

I'm impressed to see someone so young, and doing so much already, take on such a tough job and stick with it. I'm a mom of teenagers and you're my kind of kid! :)

One thing, though, are you sure the tuition assistance isn't causing you to owe them more time working there? My employer is paying for my LPN program, but using that assistance means I have to work for them full time for at least one year after I am done. Did you check for any clauses like that in your tuition assistance paperwork?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Cardiac ICU.

I'm impressed that you've accomplished this at such a young age. In Georgia, you need a high school diploma or GED to take CNA classes. I became a CNA at 18.

The medical field will be stressful and hectic at times. As a young CNA in school, it's always helpful to remember that everything is an experience. Yes, you may feel overwhelmed but you'll find yourself constantly realizing how far you have come. Every surprise, good or bad, is an experience you can learn from. Next time you're in a similar situation, you'll know exactly what to do and how to handle it. You could sit at a quiet office and take blood pressure readings all day long, but you wouldn't grow at all. So while we're still developing into the nurses we will one day become, embrace the chaos and fear of the unknown. You will be one of the more competent individuals within your team. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment