Training Other People

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

Has anyone had to train new employees?

I have to train someone on my hall tomorrow. She's already been working at our facility for a while- all I'm doing is showing her the ropes on this particular hall so she can get to know the people and the general routine. People who have worked with her before complained that she's lazy and slow. If that's true, then I don't want her bringing those bad habits over to my floor... we already have a few who are horrible to work with. I'm wondering what the best way of going about this. It sucks having to follow certain coworkers around all night, turning their people, doing mouthcare, etc. or putting half their people to bed (on top of my own assignment) because they're so slow that like 4 of their residents will end up sitting in urine for hours before they finally get to them . But since this girl isn't brand new, I feel like if I tell her that she needs to do these things I'll just be talking down to her.

I have a hard time bossing people around, and last time I trained someone I figured I would lead by example. I'm very conscientious about a lot of things that my other coworkers don't bother with. And I also like to be helpful. If I'm done my assignment I go find something else to do instead of sitting around doing nothing. So when i was training I think I just was like, "okay you can do this and then I'll help you with that, and then we'll do a shower together" because I didn't want to just dump everything on this girl. Now she follows me around like a puppy all the time, wanting help with *everything.* Since her training ended I've had to get on her case about stuff like repositioning and all that, and also etiquette stuff, like not starting your assignment before a single dinner tray is picked up. Luckily she didn't seem offended when I said something to her, but she's very laid back.

So to make a long story short, I need tips of how to train someone right.

[greeniebean]

I usually make lists for them if I have time. Just simple things like who's incontinent, how many aides they need to transfer, what color brief they wear, adn whether they eat in dining room or in their room. That seems to help some. I also let them follow me the first day (if they are relatively new) and then give them their own tasks the next day. It generally works well. I tend to give "suggestions" rather than barking commands, but that doesn't always work with everyone. You should be able to suss out what approach you should take with this girl. Hope all goes well for you!

[justme01]

Well I'm not a CNA yet so my two cents isn't worth much but I will share it anyway. When I was a cashier in training at WalMart my trainer was patient and kind. She was close by but not on top of me. She encouraged me to ask questions and gently corrected me when I made mistakes. She wanted to teach me, not intimidate me.

Last week I had CNA clinicals. It was obvious that the CNA I was working with did not want me there. She huffed and sighed. She kept pushing me to hurry which only made me more nervous. We only had six residents to care for. She had time to help me, but she did not want to. Whenever I had a question she would move me aside and do it herself instead of telling me what to do. She laughed at my mistakes. I had a bad experience and now I am very nervous about my skills test.

In my experience as a trainer I have found that most people do not want to be trained. They do not listen. They do not watch. The only questions they have are about break times. They are hell bent on doing the job their own way, not the company way. They are lazy and looking for short cuts.

You are probably a great trainer, but you have to have something to work with. I hope the CNA that you will be working with will appreciate all of the valuable tips that you will be giving her.

[ohiogyrl]

I think just leading by example like you said. If she sees you doing it - she'll think it's the norm for that hall. I know cna's who are training always try to do extra stuff that they don't normally do but that's good b/c the trainee doesn't know that.

That's how I pick up things anyway...watching ppl do it first.