About to Start Certified Nurse's Assistant Class

My name is Bridget. I am about to start my CNA class and I am very scared about clinicals. I have never worked in medicine before and I am very shy. I love medicine though, have taken numerous classes but no clinicals before. I am scared that people are going to be hard on me and I am very sensitive. Can anyone give me any tips about how to get through clinicals? Thanks.

[kahumai, RN]

Don't worry...instructors usually start by doubling people up 2 for each patient/resident because they understand that most of the other people are in the same boat and have never performed patient care before. I'm sure you'll learn alot from the class itself to help prepare you for when you do start your clinicals. I went to a nursing home for my clinicals, and believe me, the residents there were *tickled pink* to be able to get all the individualized attention they do from students....some routinely ask to have students the following week! Plus, as an added benefit, I had a lady who was so used to having her BP taken that when I nervously put it in the wrong spot on her arm, she helped me move it to where it needed to go and winked at me...made me feel alot better. :)

Don't worry so much; this is a **FUN** class that will teach you alot about patient care, and you'll find as you go along that you know some of it already! (like how to make a bed, wash your hands, take an oral temperature, etc.) You'll do great...let us know how it goes!!!! :)

[moonbunnie]

i was nervous when i started cna class too, because i had never worked in health care before, but now i am really glad that i took the class and started working as a cna. you really get good experience for going on to nursing school. i know when i start nursing school clinicals, i wont be so nervous. and i dont think anyone was ever hard on me in cna clinicals. everyone was really nice and helpful. dont worry, youll like clinicals. :)

[stephera]

I start my CNA class Monday. I guess I am only excited. It will be an easy class!! Don't worry.. Are you taking this to get into nursing?

Steph:)

My name is Bridget. I am about to start my CNA class and I am very scared about clinicals. I have never worked in medicine before and I am very shy. I love medicine though, have taken numerous classes but no clinicals before. I am scared that people are going to be hard on me and I am very sensitive. Can anyone give me any tips about how to get through clinicals? Thanks.

[WaltzJmp]

Thanks guys for your input. Makes me feel much better. I am taking this class to get into an LVN program.

[WaltzJmp]

Also, I am nervous about helping people in the bathroom. Do you get used to it? Thanks.

[stephera]

That is my biggest fear also!!!! But, I will get used to it, hopefully. I think after doing it once , I will be alright!!

Steph:)

Also, I am nervous about helping people in the bathroom. Do you get used to it? Thanks.

[moonbunnie]

oh yah, you get used to it, and most of the people that you are helping are used to it too, so they arent bothered at all. they are usually glad to have you there to help.

[stephera]

Yea, probably so but You don't have to do it the rest of your life!! You can get other jobs with a CNA.. It won't be bad to just get through the class!!:)

Steph

oh yah, you get used to it, and most of the people that you are helping are used to it too, so they arent bothered at all. they are usually glad to have you there to help.

[lehua]

With skills lab before clinicals you will have practice, practice, and more practice. The first time I made a bed in skills lab it took me 1/2 hour to make it properly. Remember to introduce yourself to the resident/patient as a student and all should go fine.

[kellisdomain]

I love being a CNA... I think you will do a great job at it... we practiced on each other with vitals and how to make beds, all that fun stuff then the last week we actually got to do it.. I had 5 skills i had to do and i passed 4 of them I had forgotten to put a bedrail up on a patient ARGH!!!! lol nerves will get ya but just remember there are others there that feel the same way

Good luck!!!:)

[AmyLiz]

It's not as bad as it seems. Taking people to the bathroom, changing depends and showering people...it just seems weird when you're talking about it. Once you're in the facility it's like a switch is flipped within you & you just do it without really thinking too much about it. At least that's the way it was for me.

You'll do fine. :)