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| |  Just starting and already discouraged.
I started working as a CENA (In Michigan) at a LTC two weeks ago. I enjoyed my classes tremendously, but once I was done orientating it seemed there were a dozen new things to learn that no one had told me. For one, they put me on a different wing that I had been orientated on, the hardest wing. And now that I'm not orientating, my coworkers get upset when I ask a question, saying things like " I already explained that to you, can't you remember?" and "I learned how to do that my first day."
Now I'm under a lot of stress, in the workplace and out. Raising my 9 month old, dealing with a needy boyfriend, living away from my parents for the first time in my life, plus my first serious job. I'm trying to remember everything that I'm taught but it's so much to take in. And now my coworkers are making me feel incompetent, and slow. They talk about me behind my back, and occasionally smile to my face. Plus my wing is understaffed (Only me.) and the only reason the other girls can complete the job is because One) they don't follow infection control Two) Resident's rights are largely IGNORED even by the nurses. I had one lady slapping me across the face because she didn't want to get up, when I told the charge nurse, she told me I still had to get her up, otherwise day shift would complain. Despite having the crap beat out of me, I still had her up and ready, but then I was in trouble because I clocked out a half hour late. The other girls don't use the lifts because the lifts are too slow, so they practically throw the patients into their wheel chairs. Then they laugh at me when they see me coming with the lift.. I started this job because I wanted to provide quality care, focusing mainly on resident's rights not what would make it easier on the next shift, but now I feel discouraged from the attitude I get from my coworkers and my charge nurses... Any encouragement and advice would be greatly appreciated.
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| | Advertisement Sponsored Links | | | | No. 2 | 
Jun 19, 2008, 07:32 AM
Re: Just starting and already discouraged.
I second the run comment above, run as fast as you can.
Most LTC facilities are begging for help. Keep looking for a better job, it's people like you that make a difference. You're doing the right thing, they are being child like in behavior and in health care there just is NO room for that behavior.
Good luck and keep us posted!
| | No. 3 |
Jun 19, 2008, 10:25 PM
Re: Just starting and already discouraged.
The hitting/screaming thing, that all depends on the patient. I had one lady with Alzheimers. No matter what time of day, how quietly, sweetly, smiley, you approached her, she was combative. And trust me, I tried every single trick I could think of. If I had left it up to her, she would have never gotten out of bed (ever). And on top of that, she would have laid on a wet breif/chux all day, never wanting to be changed.
Sometimes you just do what you have to do. The best thing was, once she was up in the wheelchair, clean and dry, I'd hand her her little teddy, get her a drink and by the time I wheeled her out to the nurses station and gave her a kiss, she had forgotten about the whole thing, and told me she loved me =) 
Did I mention she was 90 lbs soaking wet? How come it's always those little ones you have to look out for? 
But anyway, about the facility. It sounds like their concern was not about the patient, but making it easier for themselves. HUGE difference. I'd run from that place as fast as you can. They sound like nothing but trouble.
| | No. 4 |
Jun 21, 2008, 01:51 PM
Hi there,
I was very discouraged for the first 8-10 weeks that I worked at my job. I passed my CNA exam in February and started working there immediately thereafter. I was treated the same way as far as being told that I was slow and being given the cold shoulder. Four months later, I am now a regular and everyone has adjusted to me. For the most part, people enjoy working with me.
I am on the night shift but I come in early quite often to do patient care. There are things that my coworkers do that I would never do. Such as leave the residents dirty clothes on the chair, not use the wash basin, use that nasty smelling periwash to wash the residents, see a ***** draw sheet and bottom sheet and leave it under the person, not put any barrier or dry skin cream on the people, etc.
When I come in from 7-11...I take my time and make sure my people are clean. Most of my co-workers are done with care by 9pm. I am usually done between 10 and 10:30...just in time for last rounds. I suppose I could be done sooner but I like to make sure my people are smelling clean, that they are relaxed, and that their rooms are clean. I love my residents.
So...anyhow, my point is if you love what you do...do not give up. Either give it more time at your place or go to another nursing home. But just dont give up.
~Button
| | No. 5 |
Jun 21, 2008, 03:07 PM
 Re: Just starting and already discouraged.
I believe like the above posting to run from that LTC!! Not all LTC are like that, you will find one that fits you!! Keep smiling it will get better!!
| | No. 7 |
Jun 23, 2008, 03:32 PM
Re: Just starting and already discouraged. Originally Posted by Egwana  I started working as a CENA (In Michigan) at a LTC two weeks ago. I enjoyed my classes tremendously, but once I was done orientating it seemed there were a dozen new things to learn that no one had told me. For one, they put me on a different wing that I had been orientated on, the hardest wing. And now that I'm not orientating, my coworkers get upset when I ask a question, saying things like " I already explained that to you, can't you remember?" and "I learned how to do that my first day."
Now I'm under a lot of stress, in the workplace and out. Raising my 9 month old, dealing with a needy boyfriend, living away from my parents for the first time in my life, plus my first serious job. I'm trying to remember everything that I'm taught but it's so much to take in. And now my coworkers are making me feel incompetent, and slow. They talk about me behind my back, and occasionally smile to my face. Plus my wing is understaffed (Only me.) and the only reason the other girls can complete the job is because One) they don't follow infection control Two) Resident's rights are largely IGNORED even by the nurses. I had one lady slapping me across the face because she didn't want to get up, when I told the charge nurse, she told me I still had to get her up, otherwise day shift would complain. Despite having the crap beat out of me, I still had her up and ready, but then I was in trouble because I clocked out a half hour late. The other girls don't use the lifts because the lifts are too slow, so they practically throw the patients into their wheel chairs. Then they laugh at me when they see me coming with the lift.. I started this job because I wanted to provide quality care, focusing mainly on resident's rights not what would make it easier on the next shift, but now I feel discouraged from the attitude I get from my coworkers and my charge nurses... Any encouragement and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Egwana, I hate to say this... but that is the norm for LTC, from my experiences (in nursing school while working as a nurse tech). It was all of those things. It's a hard job and very few stick around and those that do are naturally burned out and probably a bit disgruntled. I just don't think that environment will change - not answering lights, what's new... you'll find the residents with family members there get more TLC because they're going to go to the manager if their lights aren't answered. That's usual.
Are you in nursing school? I'd say try to find a job in a hospital or on a rehab wing, where you're likely to have less total care patients. It's hard, I know it's a hard job. I lost a lot of weight having 15 patients to take care of, get them all up, put them all back to bed... twice. Uggghhhh and not to mention you get pretty stinky after a shift! =)  Good luck. Maybe you'll get into a routine and find a partner that can really work well with you and you two can tackle the transfers together. I know they scoff at the lifts, but after a while, you really do need to use those because it makes your job safer, less likely for patient accidents and hurting your back. They may always feel that way about the transfers, but grab the lift and hopefully someone will come help you and they will see you making faster progress. Sorry you're going through it. I'm glad that is behind me! That experience was helpful for my nursing knowledge of how NOT to be as a nurse - that every staff person is responsible for each patient and that my family members will have a private nurse before they will ever be in a LTC. Just my opinion.  | | No. 8 |
Jun 25, 2008, 01:17 PM
Re: Just starting and already discouraged. Originally Posted by Egwana The other girls don't use the lifts because the lifts are too slow, so they practically throw the patients into their wheel chairs. Then they laugh at me when they see me coming with the lift.. I started this job because I wanted to provide quality care, focusing mainly on resident's rights not what would make it easier on the next shift, but now I feel discouraged from the attitude I get from my coworkers and my charge nurses... Any encouragement and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Good for you for using the lifts. Remember though, even though nobody practices it this way, most lifts (at least Hoyer-style) should be operated by two-people. It's really tough to get a dependent patient situated correctly in their wheelchair while trying to operate the lift at the same time...I've tried. Sounds like I'm in the same boat as you in terms of work situations, good luck, and try to find a better place to work at, if you can.
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