Already struggling as a cna

[Sammiegurl87]

Hi everyone,

so earlier this year I decided to go train to be a cna so that I could be a good nurse. Last week was our first full week of clinicals. I know i need to gain more muscle because transferring has been difficult. But that's something I can and will work on. So far I'm comfortable with the bathing, toiletting, cleaning, giving food trays, etc. but I am not doing so well with taking vitals. They put me to work Friday morning by getting 4 vitals. I was so slow. It took me a minute to untangle the equipment and figuring out which vital sign to get first. I also had a hard time putting the blood pressure cuff on the patients because they were lying down and I couldn't do it right. My instructor gave me some feedback and said that I need to be more assertive and be quicker taking vitals. I'm going into nursing school in the fall and I'm worried that I'm too slow for this work. I don't think my instructor has any faith in me because all the other students are right on top of the work. I'm a slow learner, but I'm book smart and got almost all As in my prerequisites. Is this something I'll get better at or is being a slow learner going to hurt my nursing school clinicals and my cna job? Also any advice on putting the cuff on? I'm also worried I'm too shy and insecure but I work at a group home and have been able to take care of others. I'm just feeling like I'm not good enough right now. Any advice would be great. Thank you

[elephantlover, BSN, RN]

Other CNA tips:

• Establish rapport. introduce yourself to your patients. ask your patients how they want to addressed (what is their preferred name)- this helps to establish rapport. Ask your patients how they are. let them know what you are doing. try to give them options when appropriate. You do not want to phrase everything as a choice, however. Simply say I am going to check your blood pressure right now. Does it matter what arm? If you have the flexibility on certain tasks you can ask, would you like to go for a walk now, or in an hour? Remember patients always have the right to refuse, but how you word things can make a big difference.
  
• Use purposeful rounding. Think ahead, what supplies do I need to clean this patient up? If the patient is incontinent, I like to stock extra linens, briefs, barrier cream, powder, wipes, chux, etc. in the room. Try to anticipate the patient's needs to reduce avoidable call light use. Does the patient need to use the bathroom? are they in pain? are they hungry? Let the patient know when you will be back in the room. Make sure they know how to use their call light.
  
• Environment matters. Get in the habit of scanning the room each time you leave. Is the bed locked and low? is the call light in reach? is the patient's water jug full (if medically appropriate), does the room look tidy and clean? does the patient want the blinds open/closed, lights on/off, door open/closed. Is the bed alarm on (if appropriate?) is the patient warm enough? too warm?
  
• Prioritize. greet all your patients, do you vitals and document first before other tasks like showering a patient or taking a patient on a walk. Taking a patient to the bathroom is more time-sensitive than washing someone's hair or checking their vital signs (in most instances).
  
• Focus on comfort and needs. Have a patient who is agitated or confused? try to figure out their underlying need. does that patient enjoy music? what is comforting to them? they might not be able to communicate what they need so you have to be the detective and keep the patient safe and comfortable.
  
• Teamwork. help other CNAs out and if you work in a place with a healthy culture they will help you in return.
  
• Stress Management. sometimes I need to center myself before entering a room. When I am overwhelmed I first take a deep breath. I make sure to exercise, eat well, and get decent sleep. Gives me more resources to cope with the stresses of being a CNA.
  
• Use a "brain sheet." The internet will have lots of ideas. I write down the patient's name, room number, code status, diet, how they move, assistive devices, if they need a blood sugar check, admission diagnosis and other orders (do we reposition this patient every 2 hours? compression devices?) intake and output, foley cares etc.
  

[Queen Tiye, RN]

Great advice, but the SPO2 will be lower with thermometer in the mouth.

[Rionoir, ADN, RN]

Wait til you do your first assessment in nursing clinicals 🤣 Seriously you'll probably look back on this and laugh