A brand new CNA needs advice

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I just got my CNA license 11 days ago, and I started working a brand new job 12 days ago. I'm a full time college junior who is not doing nursing but doing something in Child and Family Studies I got my CNA license because there are a. jobs and b. I love helping people. I'm a little slow at my job which is to be expected as I was just licensed 11 days ago.

Most of my work has been pretty good so far. Except for yesterday, I was made to feel like a complete dumbass. I was 12 minutes late to work because where I lived completely iced over so the roads were like a skating ring. This was not predicted. So I'm driving to work at 6AM and had to pull off the road as it was too bad. I pulled over and called my work and asked said that I was going to be late and I get told "we are a 24 hour facility, nobody is here to fill for you, your patients need you, and I'll TRY to find somebody to fill in for you". So I said well I will try to make it there as fast as I can. I get off the phone and start crying and have my mom and dad drive out to come take my car and me to work, I get there 12 minutes late and it was all down hill from there. I was told "you need to take driving lessons and your dad some how made it (like I was trying to avoid coming to work). The rest of the day it was my fault things were late, my fault things were bad, my fault god forbid the lazy ass nurses couldn't get off their asses, and my fault because I'm still new and learning where everything is and how to do my job. I was also asked to work a double and declined because I have studying to do that I couldn't do yet and need to do and was treated terribly because of that.

At the end of my lousy day, I feel as if everybody was completly unprofessional. I also feel bad because I'm going to ask my boss on Monday to cut a shift from my schedule, if I don't do this I will fail and since I'm paying for school I do not want that to happen. Can anybody offer some advice? I feel completely discouraged. Thanks.

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I get the feeling you work in long term care. I have worked in three different nursing homes and all of them have wanted to eat the newbies. I cannot speak for all but that has been my experience. I have learned working in these places that you have to build up a thick skin or they will walk all over you. Anyway, try to put your focus on your residents and do the best job that you can. That all you can do.

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Specializes in LTC.

Honestly I would have been annoyed with you for coming in late too. It's winter; you should leave earlier to allow yourself more time to get to work in case things like this happen. Maybe they were unprofessional for getting mad that you set them back but it was also unprofessional to be late.

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The more I read about being a CNA the more worried I am about looking for a job in a few weeks. I don't expect to be coddled, but honestly, a little compassion goes a long way.

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Honestly I would have been annoyed with you for coming in late too. It's winter; you should leave earlier to allow yourself more time to get to work in case things like this happen. Maybe they were unprofessional for getting mad that you set them back but it was also unprofessional to be late.

It was unpredictable; meaning that the news did not predict it was going to happen. I check the weather everyday and live about 5 minutes from work but give myself 30 minutes because it's winter. I gave myself 40 minutes yesterday morning. There were several accidents in the area and no bus service on weekends; I did the best I could and they knew it. I apologized and there was no reason for them to be that rude. But thanks for the support, really.

Oh and by the way, I didn't take my full lunch, second break, and worked 20 minutes over; it's not like I didn't make up my 12 minutes.

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant.

I'm sorry you had to experience such a bad day after being late. It was unforeseen and you obviously didn't plan that to happen. I've lived in a place with icy roads and bad winter weather and you can leave way early and still end up late to work. Your safety is important and sounds like you made an effort to get there as fast as you could. Your morning sounded hard enough than to show up at work and get the 3rd degree all day long. Very unprofessional and childish. Just focus on your residents and doing your job.......and I wouldn't lose sleep over that whole ordeal. It may be one of them next week that is late due to unforeseen circumstances. Bless you for being so caring.....I'm sure you're a very compassionate CNA and do a great job!! ;)

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant.

Kitsey - Don't let some of these things you read about discourage you from being a CNA. I believe it's all in the attitude. I'm a CNA because I want to help people and take care of residents with utmost compassion and care. I refuse to get wrapped up in workplace drama, backstabbing and games. I get along with everyone and just show up to work with a smile and a desire to do what it takes to do my job. Another thing I have drilled in my head is not to take things personal! I'm sure there will be bad days and there will be good days, but that's part of the job. I hope you find a job at a great facility where it can be a positive environment for you! Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC.
The more I read about being a CNA the more worried I am about looking for a job in a few weeks. I don't expect to be coddled, but honestly, a little compassion goes a long way.

I can understand how terrible it feels when coworkers are mean to new people. It happens to all new CNAs, including myself, and I would sympathize with this girl if she were only talking about that. I expect new people to be slow and clueless and I don't give them a hard time about it. But as I said, I DO get annoyed when people are late, and honestly, this girl had to call her mommy and daddy to bring her to work and then told everyone about it, apparently- my eyes would have rolled right out of my head. Especially living 5 minutes away, and especially if everyone else made it on time. Yeah, it sucks when people are mad at you but don't whine about how unprofessional they are and refuse to take any responsibility for your part.

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corinth13 -- We all go through this same thing when we start out as CNA's!! Almost shocking how much the same it is for every person....those first few weeks on the job and how bewildering they are. Don't worry though, the very fact that you took time to talk about it on this forum means that you care about what kind of CNA you turn out to be. And don't feel apologetic about asking to be cut from one of your shifts so you can keep up with your schoolwork. Being a CNA is sometimes a very selfless job, but that doesn't mean you alway shave to put yourself last. :smokin:

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corinth13 -- We all go through this same thing when we start out as CNA's!! Almost shocking how much the same it is for every person....those first few weeks on the job and how bewildering they are. Don't worry though, the very fact that you took time to talk about it on this forum means that you care about what kind of CNA you turn out to be. And don't feel apologetic about asking to be cut from one of your shifts so you can keep up with your schoolwork. Being a CNA is sometimes a very selfless job, but that doesn't mean you alway shave to put yourself last. :smokin:

I meant.......'always have to put yourself last.' Clumsy fingers.

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I can understand how terrible it feels when coworkers are mean to new people. It happens to all new CNAs, including myself, and I would sympathize with this girl if she were only talking about that. I expect new people to be slow and clueless and I don't give them a hard time about it. But as I said, I DO get annoyed when people are late, and honestly, this girl had to call her mommy and daddy to bring her to work and then told everyone about it, apparently- my eyes would have rolled right out of my head. Especially living 5 minutes away, and especially if everyone else made it on time. Yeah, it sucks when people are mad at you but don't whine about how unprofessional they are and refuse to take any responsibility for your part.

Okay, well screw you. Ovbiously you don't live in a place where the weather gets bad and I apoligized profusely so way to be a *****. I'm sure you're so educated and perfect. I'm not clueless either.

Oh and by the way I had to let them know someone else was going to come get me; sorry not all of us are 40 and still working CNA jobs, some of us are still in school and oh yeah the only people who are up that early are my parents.

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Fuzzy wuzzy wasn't fuzzy...... maybe fuzzy feels like belittling someone who's in the very same spot he/she was at one time. corinth13 did everything she possibly could to get there on time and be responsible. Lighten up, fuzzy.

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