Another request for advice...

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Here is the situation:

A little background info first.

I am about to start nursing school in 2 weeks. Due to the school being over 3 hours away, me and my husband moved across town to make the drives more even between his work and school.

I just became a CNA in May and got a job at a local hospital BEFORE I received my acceptance letter in the mail from school. I had never worked at a hospital before, nor any form of patient care. I had only been a pharmacy tech.

Within the first week of training, I was "thrown to the wolves" I guess you could say. I am actually officially STILL on "orientation" but that really ended for me the first week. You see the CNAs choose what patients to take each shift, not a nursing supervisor. Needless to say I was told I was on my own after 2 shifts and I would get 12- 14 patients while the others would only get 7 or 8. Now remember I am new with NO EXPERIENCE and dont even have access to patient charting or any codes to get into anything all of the other cnas have. I immediatly went to the supervisor and she said "well if you have problems with your workload just call for help and we will be there" I guess this is the way it is everywhere?

Ok here is my question: Am I just being a whinny brat? I feel like it is unfair that they give me more patients and HARDER ones at that (ones with conditions that require me to be in their room every 15 mins) I dont have a problem with the actual work, in fact I love it, but I wonder if these are warning signs. I am about to start nursing school and I thought I signed on to a job that would be supportive in my efforts. I am starting to rethink my situation and maybe it would be best if I didnt work my first semester, especially at this institution?

Thanks for any advice!

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.
Here is the situation:

A little background info first.

I am about to start nursing school in 2 weeks. Due to the school being over 3 hours away, me and my husband moved across town to make the drives more even between his work and school.

I just became a CNA in May and got a job at a local hospital BEFORE I received my acceptance letter in the mail from school. I had never worked at a hospital before, nor any form of patient care. I had only been a pharmacy tech.

Within the first week of training, I was "thrown to the wolves" I guess you could say. I am actually officially STILL on "orientation" but that really ended for me the first week. You see the CNAs choose what patients to take each shift, not a nursing supervisor. Needless to say I was told I was on my own after 2 shifts and I would get 12- 14 patients while the others would only get 7 or 8. Now remember I am new with NO EXPERIENCE and dont even have access to patient charting or any codes to get into anything all of the other cnas have. I immediatly went to the supervisor and she said "well if you have problems with your workload just call for help and we will be there" I guess this is the way it is everywhere?

Ok here is my question: Am I just being a whinny brat? I feel like it is unfair that they give me more patients and HARDER ones at that (ones with conditions that require me to be in their room every 15 mins) I dont have a problem with the actual work, in fact I love it, but I wonder if these are warning signs. I am about to start nursing school and I thought I signed on to a job that would be supportive in my efforts. I am starting to rethink my situation and maybe it would be best if I didnt work my first semester, especially at this institution?

Thanks for any advice!

Who makes the assignments? You say that you were told that you were getting 12 to 14 when the others were getting 7 or 8. This is unfair and you need to assert yourself with the other CNA when making the assignment. If that fails, then you need to talk to the nurse manager. No one person should be expected to carry a heavier burden.

I'm more concerned about the fact that you were given a shortened orientation period without your approval. I'd be really careful at this place if you decide to keep your job.

Blee

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Run do not walk from this place. There is no reason for the CNA to make CNA assignments. That is out of their scope of practice. Deffinately leave this place ASAP.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Is the supervisor the charge nurse, another CNA, an administrator?

Document each day by name who was assigned which patients, and how often you needed help and how often they asked you for help. If the supervisor sees hard numbers that you are being given twice the patient load than the others but does nothing about it, go up the chain to her boss.

OR

If the CNAs choose their own patients, only "choose" the percent due you (4 CNAs= 25% each). Sounds to me that you are getting dumped on, and you need to stand up for yourself, and declare "I'm not taking twice as many as you, I choose only these". If that doesn't work, use the doucmentation up the chain.

If you can afford not to work during nursing school, I wouldn't. NS is tough. On the other hand, CNA work is a good foundation for what NS will build on, and nurses never stop doing "CNA" work, its just not all that we do. Good luck in what ever you choose to do (and remember, it is your choice ;) )

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If you like the job et this is the only thing you have a problem with, and you intend to stay, then assert yourself et let them know that you will not be taking that many patients when they have so many less than you. But my question is, why does the CNA's get to make their own assignments? At our facility, the nurses make them.

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