I love being a CNA, but....

It takes time to get into the groove of a new job and become a member, and then sometimes it just isn't worth it when everyone you work with seems to be as aggravated by the work conditions as you. Your new, they are gonna try to pick on you.

Are all nurses as mean as the ones you work with...NO. The environment you work in affects your mood, it just seems that some are willing to put up with more than others and then take it out on those around them instead of trying to make the team they work with strong enough to solve the problems they ignore rather than fix. That is life...you have to decide what is right for your life at this minute.

Are the nurses singling you out to do all this stuff, or do they just inform the nearest CNA that so-and-so is wet, etc.? And are the other CNAs only ignoring you or is there no teamwork at all?

You kinda have to expect that kind of stuff when you're new, even though it sucks, because people are trying to break you in. Most of them are not the nicest at first either, because these workplaces are all really cliquey and no one knows if the new girl is even going to stick around, so they won't warm up to you until they feel like it's worth it. You really do have to prove yourself. It takes time to do that, just like it takes time to get used to the job, develop time management skills, and get faster. So hang in there. If you've only been there a month and you have 130 residents to get used to, getting them all done and dry at 9 pm sounds like you're doing pretty good. When do the others finish? Also if people are asking you for help and not reciprocating, then when they ask you for something, say, "Okay I'll do that if you do this for me." Also, try to be more specific with your requests. And try to "bundle" them so you can get more stuff out of one request. For instance if you have 2 people who want to go to bed at around the same time and you need help with both of them, wash them both up, get them all set up for the transfer so literally everything that you can do by yourself is all done (like drag the chair right up to the bed, walker in front of the person, gait belt on), then go get someone for help. Say, "Will you help me throw A and B into bed? They're both ready right now. Then I can help you with C right afterwards." That's better than washing A, getting help, washing B, then finding help again. And the person you ask will be more willing to help you again the next day if she knows you won't be taking that much of her time.

I only had 30 residents to get to know, and for my whole first month (at least), I dreaded going into work. I had anxiety 24 hours a day, and I honestly thought I was going to get fired every day. I'm shy, high strung, sensitive, and I get flustered easily around people I don't know well (in other words I'm a huge wimp). So I screwed up a lot. And I went through the same stuff that you're talking about- not getting any help, nurses riding me for every little thing, everyone talking sh*t about me behind my back. I knew if I gave up and quit I would have to start all over again with the same crap I was dealing with then, so I kept telling myself to keep on trucking. Go there, do my job the best that I could, and keep getting that paycheck until they fired me. Well then they hired a new girl and I felt like the attention was off me, and everything suddenly got a lot easier. And I never got fired. Now I feel like I get as much respect as the next person there.

I know exactly how you feel! I was hired at a LTC facility as soon as I recieved my certification. I worked there for 6 months and then finally resigned. I couldn't take it anymore. I loved my Resident's and some of the people I worked with but my other co workers made it so difficult for me. No one helped me and every time I asked for one of the other CNA's to spot me with a lift they would give me the biggest attitude and then make me wait forever before they finally came to help me. I would always have to answer their Resident's call bells because they never did. They would speak another language to one another when I was in the room and I knew they were talking about me. I was a good CNA and they didn't like that. I was assigned a unit to work on but I floated on that unit. So when one of the other CNA's had off I would have their list and their Resident's loved me.They loved me so much, they would ask for me all the time and I guess that ****** the other CNA'S off. I worked the 3-11 shift 5 days a week and some nights I left there in tears, that's how bad they treated me. So I finally resigned a year ago and I've been out of work ever since. I regret my decision to leave. I really miss my Residents and I'm mad that I let those people run me out of there! Just hang tight and don't make the same decision I did because like myself, you might regret it. I do have to say that my experience working there has really changed my mind about being a CNA and that's why I haven't returned to work yet. It's so hard to work with people who make you miserable and treat you like dirt! Good luck to you!

Hate to say it, but it sounds like normal stuff for a new cna.
I'm new at it and have gone through what you're talking about, but you just have to hold tight to the great moments and let the bad ones go. I always say to new cnas, rent GI Jane. You have to be tough to survive this.
A few hints that have helped me:
Nurses often they seem like your worst enemy but never ever ever go after them either by talking bad to another coworker, getting in their face ect. You think the nurse is on you now, they can make your day a million times worse. Whatever a nurse asks I do, no matter how impolite, how rude ect I smile and say yes mam. If I can't do it right then I let them know when I'll get it done. There have been times I wanted to blow up, I didn't. Almost every time the nurse came to me later and said sorry her day was really bad. I've made friends with them now and realized their stress is so much worse. Meds, wounds, doctors, call lights ect. When you go to them with an issue be polite and recognize how hard their job is, it goesa long long way.

Other CNAs it takes time. First learn to do the lifts yourself. Thats the whole idea of lifts. We never have two people on one lift unless its a maxi. Make learning the residents as important as passing the nursing boards thats how vital it is. Go home study name sheets ect. Eventually they will lighten up. Many cnas who have worked their jobs for years are sick of seeing new cnas come in and then quit. Stay around don't give up, it'll get better.

And I know I'm going get crit for this but your fiance is living in your car? Move him in with a friend, quick. Get married only after hes got a job and is in college.

I went through the same thing when i started at my LTC 2 years ago. The girls were hateful, never helped me, and would complain about me being slow while they were sitting on their butts! It drove me crazy and i wanted to cry all the time. i stuck with it though and now i love it. Most of those immature girls got fired, and for some reason when more new people get hired the other ones accept you. It's like they haze you until they think you belong!
Eventually it should get better and just remember- those girls that are calling you slow were slow when they started! It took me about 3 months to get as fast as the other employees.
A CNA is like no other job! You have one overall job to learn but with 130 residents you have 130 other little jobs to learn!