what to do?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Specializes in Nursing assistant.

I am new at a hospital, and the people are great, the work is interesting.....

I really like working with the patients.

BUT, every one has been warning me about what it will be like when I am done orienting, and frankly, it scares me a bit...

Right now I handle up to 6 patients, but I will be handling more like 12. I like hard work, and staying busy, but I am afraid I am too slow. I get the impression the other NAs don't think I am up to it. They have been really helpful with advice, and I have no complaints. Couldn't ask for better co workers, just I can see their doubt, and I am losing the bit of confidence I have myself.

Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.

haven't you been in the biz for awhile?

Specializes in Nursing assistant.

Yeah, quite a while, but mostly SNF, and home hospice. I would have a boatload of patients in the nursing home, it was really physical. I dont know why I am worried.

Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

Over worked, understaffed comes with the job of CNA as well as Nursing. After all the business of health care is STILL a BUSINESS. That means many facilities are not willing to pay the cost of providing safe ratios when they can always blame the RN, who can delegate responsibility but NOT accountabliity! IMHO!

Yes, coming off orientation will be harder, but YOU will still be the same caring person. As long as you give your patients your best, then I say..Go home happy knowing that you gave of yourself for the benefit of others! Sometimes you will not get to turn patients q2h, sometimes you will not get to feed the three pts who are assit feeds until an hour after trays are delivered, but just do the best you can! I KNOW that I give my pts my all and if my facility ever questioned me about my care, we would definately have to talk about safe ratios and how many hands I have and minutes in an hour (as in, if it takes 30-45 minutes to feed a pt, and you have three patients to feed, that means you won't get to that third pt for one to two hours!).

Good luck Chadash. I believe you will be fine.

Sincerely,

Jay

Specializes in Nursing assistant.
Specializes in Wound Care , Foot Care,and Geriatrics.

HEY I AM RIGHT THERE WITH YOU!!IT IS NOT THE MOST SOOTHING REALIZATION THAT IT CAN COME DOWN TO NUNBERS,NOT ALWAYS CARE!i AM STRUGGLING ON MY PRSCTICUM AND SOME DAYS I THINK "WHAT HAVE i GOT MYSELF INTO?AND THAT MAYBE WAITRESSING WASN'T THAT BAD...PERHAPS I'LL GO INTO DOG GROOMING,FLOWER ARRANGEING LOL I THINK TO MYSELF THAT IT TOTALLY TAKES TIME AND LEARNING FROM MISTAKES,BAD DECESIONS...OR UNEXPECTED THINGS COMING UP TO SHOW US WHERE AND HOW TO IMPROVE.GOOD LUCK! I TRY TO WATCH THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE A]BEEN DOING IT AWHILE B] DO REALLY WELL.PERHAPS YOU CAN ASK YOUR CO-WORKERS HOW THEY COPE??OR DON'T LOL ,LET ME KNOW HOW YOU ARE DOING! /COLOR]

Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.
I get the impression the other NAs don't think I am up to it. They have been really helpful with advice, and I have no complaints. Couldn't ask for better co workers, just I can see their doubt, and I am losing the bit of confidence I have myself.

it's almost like a proving ground. yeah, it's hard and maybe some schmo off the street wouldn't be able to come up, but youre not that guy. once you get a feel for the routine, you'll be in there. and chances are you're doing just fine. i know i'm doing fine as a new nurse, and the questions i ask aren't out of line...but they still look at me like i have a third eye.

i want to say "HUH-LO! why are you looking at me like that?" what ever!

Specializes in Nursing assistant.
it's almost like a proving ground. yeah, it's hard and maybe some schmo off the street wouldn't be able to come up, but youre not that guy. once you get a feel for the routine, you'll be in there. and chances are you're doing just fine. i know i'm doing fine as a new nurse, and the questions i ask aren't out of line...but they still look at me like i have a third eye.

i want to say "HUH-LO! why are you looking at me like that?" what ever!

You have an interesting perspective, having been both an aide and now a RN. Is it a bit of a boot camp mentality in medicine?

The hospital management here has done a splendid job orienting me, I have never had a more thorough preparation. It seems to be an uneasiness among the staff though, they feel I should have been thrown in feet first early on. Hard to describe, just some negative vibes so to speak.

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