Starting first CNA Home health care job

allnurses Guide · Feb 5, 2015

Hi punkyisland!

I work in home care and with home health aides. This does not sound safe to me. I would not accept a job with a client as you describe as your very first experience. I can't say if the agency is sketchy but it certainly sounds that way to me.

Even as an experienced caregiver I wouldn't show up without any orientation.

You owe it to yourself and the elderly woman to insist that someone who cares for this woman to train you in all the aspects of her care..

Your instincts are very accurate. Wishing you all the best as you start off in the healthcare field.

mrsboots87 · Feb 5, 2015

Run for the hills. It seems as if you didn't even get a background check. They didn't care if you had experience. They likely need a Lott of workers because they don't have many. Rd flags all over the place. I am a new CNA in a LTC and got 5 days orientation, plus the facility pairs each CNA with another for each shift, so I will have support if I'm uncomfortable or lack experience in something. Being thrown to the wolves is not right. You don't know who to call if there is a change I. The clients condition, or who the family is, who the nurse is. Nothing. If anything were to happen you can get blamed and possibly lose your certification call and demand an orientation period or quit. This is just not safe.

IsmeAmanda, LPN · Feb 5, 2015

Right out oif CNA school I also had a home health job - for 6 months before I quit. They did the same thing, they go through so many CNA's that they dont have tome to interview and train.

This job will certainly put you at risk. I know you want a job but CNA gigs are plentiful. You need to apply at long term care or assisted living so you can learn to improve your skills more alongside other CNA's and nurses.

Did they even tell you emergency situation protocol?

PunkyIsland · Feb 5, 2015

I did fill out paperwork for background check, but who knows if they actually checked anything. They did not tell me any emergency protocol. They did give their number if i had any questions. They only went over how to clock in/out over phone, and how to write down mileage/ rules about using my car... which i thought i was only supposed to use a clients car? But they said I use mine.. in which i asked if they have insurance for that, and that said no... hmm.. I did not meet the nurse in charge or anything. As much as i would love to try and talk to them and back down from this case, and ask for less experienced based work, I dont think they wanna hear it.. because if they cared in the first place they wouldn't set me up with this case as my first client ever. Im just so nervous to call! I feel like a total jerk quitting before I even started.. they already made me a name tag, gave me gloves ect. I know it looks bad on me, and this is not normally how i would want a work experience to be. Its funny too, because i *thought* this was a decent reputable company, they have advertisements on tv and what not, but I am really just shocked at how I was hired on the spot with no real orientation ect. I do agree that maybe i should look into an assisted living facility first to get some more experience, and know that there is people there to help me if i need it. Ahh! im so stressed! I hate letting people down, and this is not how i wanted it to go, but if they couldn't understand and put it in a more suitable case situation then maybe its best i do not work with them.

allnurses Guide · Feb 5, 2015

This doesn't look bad on you. It looks good on you and bad on them. You may tell them that their client's safety is your first concern. I believe if I were you I would ask to meet with the nurse in charge. Office staff in particular many times have no idea nor care about the actual caregiver aspect. They want to fill their schedule.

People sign on and leave agencies all the time as well. It isn't like "job hopping" where generally you would have a pre-determined schedule and job description. Best wishes on finding a job you are happy with!

peachescna · Feb 6, 2015

Well in my case I will have only 2 days orientation and then I will be pairing another cna for 3 more days . Hope this does not bring me struggle to myself since I don't have cna experience at all. :(

Missingyou, CNA · Feb 7, 2015

You don't need to quit this agency. You CAN professionally refuse this assignment if you are very uncomfortable with it. That is the beauty of home care. Insist that they give you an easier assignment to start you off. The scheduler who assigned this client to you is very skilled at persuading someone to take on assignments...it's their job and is how the agency gets paid! They may hem&haw and make you feel guilty for not taking it but, I bet they will reassign you because chance are, THEY NEED YOU!!!

At the same time:

Keep in mind that you can only learn by doing. It could be good experience for you. All the things you will be doing with this client are the same things you learned in training as a CNA. You PASSED your state test. You KNOW how to do these things! True, you haven't done them often, but just like in a nursing home, you will do them and learn to get better at it. The best part about this whole thing is that you will have only ONE person to care for. You won't be running from person to person, speeding through your "skills" in order to get everything done...and wondering if you forgot something because you had to move so quickly.

If you only care for a client who only needs companionship and medication reminders, you will never get better at your job.

Yes, you will be learning on this client....you will be learning with ANY client you take on...whether in a private home or a nursing home......gotta start somewhere.

Be confident. You got this!!!

Missingyou, CNA · Feb 7, 2015

....and as far as doing a background check on you....they will probably have that completed before you even begin your shift on Monday..in the state I live in, all such agencies, LTC, assisted living, etc are required to have a copy of a background check on file for every employee. Also, it is an easy check to see where you stand with your state as far as your certification as a CNA.

When you get to the clients home, there will probably be a folder (written by their nurse) with more details about the client and the care needed...who to contact in case of an emergency (family member, agency....etc). It will list their condition, medications, what other household chores you are expected to do etc etc. ~Ask this agency if this is the case.

caliotter3 · Feb 7, 2015

There are agencies that sometimes do the same thing to nurses. Just after bodies, could care less if the new employee is capable of giving the best care. Unfortunately, you are going to have to take the bull by the horns at some point and start getting experience. Might want to ask for "sitter" type positions to get your feet wet. Or, you could go to a long term care facility, and really get your feet wet. Part of the difference there would be that you would have nurses and fellow CNA employees to ask when you have a question or need help. By the time you had put in any appreciable time at a facility, you would have a lot of hands on that would help you be more confident with only one patient in the home. Good luck.