Strange question / Vent thread.

[Starletta]

Okay, please don't laugh...lol :) I'm an older student going back to school for the first time since College 30 years ago!

I honestly have not used basic math skills in a long, long time, ummm 30 years? Especially multiplication. And was never good at math in the first place.

Seems like today everything is "Spell check", calculators...etc.

I carry a small pocket calculator in my scrubs pocket. 2 x 4 inches. My Clinical Instructor looked at me like I had two head if I asked if I could use it. Obviously, she was against it. I saw sooo many students trying to figure out vitals today in their heads. Whatever the vital x 4.

Wouldn't it be a lot faster and accurate to use a small calculator as opposed to spending the time figuring out the sum and possibly come up with the wrong number?

What could I say to her to let me use it????

Tonight two students followed around our assigned CNA for a very hands on experience. Our CNA constantly yelled at us to move faster, cut a lot of corners, (restrained a patient's hands to change her briefs), dropped pillows on the floor and used them anyway. Laughed when we used gloves as instructed my our Clinical Instructor.

During shower time a Resident had several bowel movements resulting in it getting all over the floor, which was okay, but when my fellow student and I asked about disinfecting it, the CNA said she had no idea.

Basically, she didn't want to hear it. She just used the shower head to rinse the waste off the floor, and shower chair.

Not very hygienic nor fair to the next patient who has to use the chair.

For what CNA's get paid, I'd rather stock shelves in Walmart to be honest. This is not the career path for me.

I enjoy taking care of patients, but just can't bring myself to tidy them up and toss them back into bed like they aren't human beings.

I'll be doing vitals next week, and honestly would like to use my pocket calculator... How am I going to do this?

I DO understand that in order to finish, you have to keep moving, but I didn't learn a heck of a lot as she just cut corners anyway possible.

Why can't LTC facilities hire the right amount of CNA's to give quality patient care? What a huge mistake I made thinking this would be a good fit. Ugh!

[Future_Lpn]

Just my input, as a student u will see things way different than u do after ur certified and get out on the floor. Yes your preceptor sounds lil harsh but she was prolly giving u reality. Reality u need to be quick do whats important and get on to the next person. I feel using universal precautions is the most important and using compassion. The thing about the shower chair, i woulda asked housekeeping for disinfectant spray at the very least.

As far as restraints,, just cause the woman was an angel at mealtime, maybe she became combative during changes, holding back her hands may have been safer than her grabbing a handful of the aides hair or scratching at her or whatever, these aides are with these people likely 5x a week and know what their behaviors are.

We as aides can be compassionate, give good care and still be quick and have to cut some corners. If u stick with it u will see what we all mean.

Yes in a perfect world ltc places would have full staffing and we could do everything textbook, but thats not reality, people come in out of class and find it wasnt what they expected and quit, or get hurt and are out for along time, leave for a better paying place, or we get alot of call offs because people are burned out from too much o/t or just plain tired, etc. its a nonstop cycle. and prolly will never change.

As for the calculator thing just brush up and the math becomes pretty repetative when u get out there. but for states just brush up u will b fine. there are reasons your instructor is telling u, u cant use the calculator, she knows what the state testers look for and is trying to help u.

Good luck, its a rewarding career if u decide its for u!!:heartbeat