Willl I ever be able to go fast enough?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Hi all... (waves)

I just started my new (first) job at a LTC a week ago, and I really would appreciate some input from others on how long it took them to get up to speed on their routines to the point where they felt comfortable with what they were doing. They only give three days of orientation at this LTC and I do NOT feel ready!!! I've had only ONE day on my own, and everything kind of hit at once, including an in-service that was supposed to be only half an hour and ended up being over an hour in the middle of the day. I share the wing with an experienced tech and she's great, but I hate feeling like I'm slowing her down. I almost feel guilty because we don't have nearly as many residents per tech as some places, BUT the families and residents do expect a LOT of us because they are all paying so much money for them to be there (everyone must be very nicely dressed and groomed at all times, hair and makeup, shave men every day, lots of service, lots of events, very particular and demanding about everything, dot the i's and cross the t's, etc.) For instance, at the end of that first day on my own (which was yesterday), we had to get everyone up and elegantly dressed and made up for the fancy barbecue dinner in the dining room!!

Anyway, I have 8 residents and 3 are total care; we also serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and we have one resident who is on the call light all day and needs to be taken to the bathroom about every half hour. It really seems that once I get into the routine it will be okay, and that's what the experienced tech says too, but it's hard because you can NOT skimp with these residents, their families will notice!! Right now it just seems so impossible to fit it all in and I feel like an idiot for even thinking it's difficult... anyway, I ended up going back to my car and crying at the end of everything yesterday. I just feel like, well, I will work as hard as I have to, I will NEVER fail out of laziness, but I'm so afraid that working hard isn't enough... what if I just never get the hang of it... words of advice please!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

It took me about a month to get used to things. Watch the other tech and ask for advice on how to multi-task.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, skilled nursing, hospice.

hang in there! it takes time to learn the routine. i know it took me a good 2.5 to 3 weeks to feel comfortable enough to really handle residents by myself. i learned quickly that your residents will be helpful if you have a question. just treat them like you would your grandmother or grandfather. you will figure out each of thier quirks and routines pretty quick. also talk to the family when they're there and they are usually very happy to give you pointers! don't give up! also, your dementia patients, just be very specific about what you're doing or what they need to do and don't give alot of details because they get confused...ie just say lift up your arms we're putting on your shirt etc. hope this helps! :up:

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

I was soo nervous when I first started at my job, so because of that I was slow completing my work & made a lot of simple mistakes. After awhile I got used to the residents & how to interact with each one. But most importantly, I learned what worked best for me. You just have to take it one day at a time, and believe that you'll get better with each day. Good luck!! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Alzheimers and geriatric patients.

Took me a month. It's a really hard job to get used to so just hang in there, and do your best. Anytime you are feeling inadequate next to your coworkers just remember they were new at one point to, and weren't always so fast.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Stop beating yourself up. Sounds like you have a gret co-worker who isn't expecting as much from you are you are.

Give it time. I started a new job in LTC a couple of weeks ago and have YET to hand off the keys to medications on time. Yeah, a couple of people are getting a little hissy but they can just deal.

:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks, y'all! :)

I think the most important thing for me is to stay centered, and to remind myself that I'm doing everything I can. I took a gazillion notes during the 3 day orientation (a very experienced nurse friend agreed with me that it was WAY! too short, which made me feel better)/ I've memorized the daily routine, all the residents' names, room numbers, breakfast, lunch, and dinner preferences, shower and bed bath days, everything I could find from their complete care plans, figured out a schedule by half hours (hopefully it will actually work!), and tried to mentally reheorifice the entire thing as much as I could. I can't think of anything else to do. So I know I've done everything I can. My first long work weekend is coming up and I am as ready as I am going to get! :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You'll be fine. Just be prepared for a lot of visitors this weekend wondering where their mom's glasses, new slippers, yada yada yada are.

:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You'll be fine. Just be prepared for a lot of visitors this weekend wondering where their mom's glasses, new slippers, yada yada yada are.

:)

Oh, THAT is the least of my worries. The location of residents' belongings-- THAT I know! I feel better now and thank you all so much again for all the great comments. ((hugs))

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I learned some really valuable timesaving tips from some of the NOC staff who were only there doing OT while I was in clinicals. These things (esp. bed changing tips should really be incorporated into the state skills they were just that sensible). Amazing how you can pick up little tips here and there, but maybe you'll never see these people to work with them and gain their insight.

First comes the task, and with time comes the speed. You've probably figured out the aides who know how to do their job well. Enlist their help. Tell them you feel like you're struggling. I know your main worry is keeping your job. So I would approach the skilled aides with compliments and see what you can learn from them. Flattered for their expertise, they may see you as someone who they will eventually be able to count on when they want a day off. Butter them up, get their tricks and tips, and even though you may be learning and still fighting to keep up, you'll have implanted the idea that you are someone to be counted on because of your positive attitude.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in cna /ltc/ltac hospital.

Dont worry, as times go by you will get use to your routine and be more familiar with your patients. Meaning how long you spend with each person, their needs and who does what etc.. one thing that really helps me was getting points from the cna who been there longer and doing a great job.

Lol i was so scare when i first started, with no experiences and Little english... LMAO..If i made it thru, u can too. It just requires dedication, hard work and LOTS of patience

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow... it's a LOT and very overwhelming. (I just finished working my seventh day, which was my fourth on my own, since there were only 3 days of orientation.) I'm learning more every day. I always volunteer to help everyone, and I arrive early and end up staying late! The nurses seem to really like me-- one especially is very supportive and told me that she loved the way I did the work she requested without complaining, and that this was very rare around there.

Now, a bit of venting... well, not really venting, but still... The main thing is that we only have 2 techs on our hall for the day shift, and everyone else on every other shift has 3-- and that's what makes it hard. No matter how fast I get, it will not really fix things. The other very experienced tech (30+ years) has been very unhappy with the situation since the third tech quit and management didn't replace her (five months ago), so I make a point of helping her with everything and being very sympathetic (she tells me that the last person who had the job didn't help much.) We don't have a full census compared to the other hall, but the thing is, that means that we only have about 2 fewer residents than they do-- so we'd be MUCH better off with a couple more residents and then getting one more tech. The reason is that most of our people need to be moved with Hoyer or Valaro lifts, and the facility rule is that techs who are caught using a lift by themselves can be fired then and there. So you see the problem with only two techs. Even if I was just as fast as the experienced tech, we'd still have the time bottleneck of being required to pair up on all the lifts (and then answering all of the call lights, too).

The HR person said that she'd working on getting that third tech, and the word is that a couple more residents will be moving onto our hall, so I do think we'll be getting the third CNA. If and when we do, I think this will be a very good job; with only 2 techs, it's very difficult. But it's a real learning experience! :) It's been good to find out that I'm up to the physical work. And I just LOVE the residents.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment