Third day on a new unit and told I am too slow...

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

I was told that I do not know how to manage my time.

I am too slow.

I need to prioritize.

Sheesh, knock me when I am down.

It was a rough day.

:crying2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

These criticisms are common to new employees. Do not take them to heart, but yet don't ignore them. Ask for assistance in identifying what you can do to speed up the process and make a genuine effort to do things a little more efficiently each shift. You will gain speed with time and practice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Who was it that said it- another CNA, an RN, a manager?

Ask the person who identified it for suggestions of how to save time, and exactly what you need to be prioritising. Try not to take it as a personal attack, but as an issue you may need to address. You are new, and learning, so you're not going to be working a hundred miles a minute yet!

Some things that I have found to help me at work:

-Be Organised! Start a round with EVERYTHING you may or may not need- don't keep walking for linen, cloths, towels, pads, etc.

-Try to anticipate needs. When you round, ask the resident if they want to use the bathroom whilst you are there- I've found that quite a few decide they do, and it saves you from then answering that call light in 10 minutes time. Check water jugs, etc whilst you are in the room so you can refill then and there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I remember when I did my clinical a few cna told me that I am slow, well that's b/c am still new to this setting, skills and everything. I know that we can be as fast as the other long times working cna once when get use to everything:). I'm sure when they first get started they are slow as well:p I hate when ppl said that I'm slow they could of say that I need to speed up my pace which sound better, right:lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It was 3 RN's that told me as well as the PT person. The PT person told me that because I did not walk a resident that the resident is experiencing breakdown. Wow :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMCU.

Sounds a little mean. You shouldn't be getting feedback in this way -- not that kind of feedback, if true and justified (I doubt it is at 3 days on the job).

You will get faster as you get comfortable. You may need to push past your comfort zone just a bit?

Talk to your immediate supervisor, the nurse, and get concrete suggestions.

If someone ever says stuff like that to you in passing. Don't get mad/upset/depressed...thank them for the feedback and ask how they would do it differently. Charm and disarm them. The best time to use this is when you are the new person -- use your newness as an asset to learn learn learn.

What a bummer of a first week. Keep your chin up! Keep positive and work hard.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

Are you familiar with the facility and just not that particular unit... or are you a new employee? If a new employee, did you recieve any orientation?? regardless, three days is not enough time to work at lightning speed...I know CNAs who have been working the same unit for 11 years and still have "slow" days :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the uplifiting responses. I really enjoy this forum.

:flwrhrts:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMCU.
It was 3 RN's that told me as well as the PT person. The PT person told me that because I did not walk a resident that the resident is experiencing breakdown. Wow :(

Well unless you worked 72 hours straight it is not possible that you are at fault...even then you still aren't at fault. You are not an island and you are not unsupervised. Also, there is much more at play when it comes to skin breakdown, than just walking -- like nutrition, age, hydration, bladder/bowel control of patient, scrupulous attention to clean/dry skin, positioning...I could go on and on. What is important is being honest if you don't get to walk someone (or do something else) -- your nurse must know so she can get it done.

I was taught to make a shift plan:

15:00hrs report/initial round

15:30 hrs make the plan

Essentially I made a template in 15 - 30 minute sections that ordered my shift. I included position changes, continence check, preemptive bathroom offering (note...very useful to do about 15 minutes after the patient eats or drinks). Getting patients up and in chair, putting them down in bed.

I checked off stuff as I went. I just can't keep stuff in my head.

15.30

Initial rounds

Mrs P's walk

16.00

Mr G's shower

16.30

Position changes Mr T and Ms L

17.00

dinner prep & dinner

17.45

end dinner clean-up and offer bathroom use

Something like that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Ugh! This is what makes me soo mad. Instead of trying to help new people by making constructive criticism, they just say "you're too slow". How is that going to help someone by making remarks like that? And people wonder why it is hard to keep CNA's in facilities:banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Of course you're slow after only 3 days. Everybody is. If you're still slow after 3 months, *then* I think people have the right to complain. Time management comes with knowing the residents, knowing the routine, moving fast, being really organized, and thinking ahead.

Obviously the 1st item going to take some time. It's easy for a long-time CNA to forget just how overwhelming all the little details about a person can be-- brief, underwear, or pad? jobst stockings or not? alarms or not? what kind? do they need butt cream? etc. Then once you finally start getting their clothes on, you discover that they're too small. Time for a new outfit. You get them dressed and ask another CNA to help you get them out of bed and she informs you they were supposed to have a shower. Or the resident is alert and they wait until the last minute to tell you they wanted to use the toilet! The routine can be tricky too, but I would tell another CNA that you know you're slow and you think that if the routine was broken down for you, it would help. I don't know what shift you work but say if you work 7-3 ask how many people you should try to get up before breakfast, what time you should be finished with AM care, when to start bring people to the dining room for lunch, when are vitals, snacks, and waters passed, etc. Then ask her what she would do specifically if she had your assignment. Like who gets up first and in what order. Then you can watch the clock and you know what to shoot for.

Also you should probably move faster than what is comfortable for you. Much faster. We would all like to take our time with each of our residents, but it can't be done or we wouldn't have time to bother at all with half of them. So imagine your alarm never went off and you have to be out of the house in 10 minutes. How quickly would you rip through that shower? Go that fast. lol. And no moseying down the hallway. I always kind of gallop. And if someone asks you for help with a transfer or something don't let them get away before you ask them to help you with your next person. It's always nice when you and someone else can work together and keep agreeing to meet in the next room because then no one wastes time searching for someone to help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health/Geriatrics.

I'm sorry you had such a crappy day! Like everybody else has said, give it some time and soon enough you'll have left over time to twiddle your thumbs and answer nurse calls!

How long have you been a CNA? I've gotten used to being told nasy things by patients, but not by other CNA's and coworkers. They're expecting way too much! Next time they say something, ask how you can improve. I wouldn't go out of my way in a separate conversation . If they bring it up again, ask them politely. You don't want to accidentally **** off the wrong person.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment