the anticipation is making me nervous

[Weezy24]

Hii everyone,

I am in a CNA class, about to start clinicals very soon. I have been enjoying the classes, studying, learning new concepts, even the exams get me excited. But now that we will get a chance to practice some of the skills on real people, I sense myself shying away. Not because I do not want to do it, but because I am so nervous about seeing things I have only been reading about and trying to picture. I am worried what some of my reactions will be upon encountering so far unseen situations.

And it is not like I cannot do it. I am often hard on myself. I can do things that push comes to shove. I can ! But you know how some days you just feel defeated and don't push yourself enough?

Is anyone out there feeling the same or did any present CNAs feel the same?

It all flows so smoothly in the book , ' give per-care, provide privacy, let the resident know you are leaving the room, wash hands' but I doubt it happens this way in a real-life setting.

I know no one can really physically make me feel better, I alone can. But I just need to know this is normal.

Thanks everyone very much!

[blackbird singing]

It is VERY normal! It's natural to be nervous, it's something you have never done before. But you are all in the same position: your classmates are all new to this, too. Your instructor knows you haven't seen this before, and so do the other CNAs and nurses where you are going to do your clinicals. Just try to learn as much as possible. If you have any questions, ask! If you are hesitant on doing something that your instructor asks you to do, ask to see if they can observe you do it, or tell them how you are planning to do it and see if that's correct! Just remember the basic things you learned in class: change the surface of the washcloth (something I forgot in clinicals... oops!), wash hands, introduce self to resident. You will be fine! Be friendly above all. And respect the rules of the place you do clinicals. Due to strict budgeting, some nursing homes may not exactly follow the rules that your book says (i.e. 500 washcloths for peri-care). Just ask, be willing to learn, be open-minded, and keep a smile on. (mcdonald's lol :) )

It takes a little bit to get into the swing of things, but once you do, it will become second nature to you!

But, I do want to warn you about something on the other hand. The one thing I was least prepared for before my clinicals was the how sad it is. The first night I went home and cried (I was completely unprepared for what I would see). I felt so bad for the completely contracted residents lying in bed, those that had no idea what was going on, or those that relied on the CNAs for everything. Yes, I know that is what we are there for, and that is why our job is so beautiful, to be able to provide something for someone who cannot do it themself. It is very humbling. However, it broke my heart to see 60 year old photos of the resident's family sitting in a frame next to their bed, looking so beautiful. I had to hold back tears as I was helping a resident get ready for bed and I looked over and saw it. She was so badly contracted and could no longer talk. I was cleaning her up after a depends change. It was heartbreaking for me to see such a great change from then to now. And it was Mother's Day, so that definitely did not help my tears

Anywho... that's my sob story. I just try to remember that's why we are there. This is an average person who has aged and is no longer the woman she used to be. The old demented women and men are stuck inside in a mind that is making them believe and say ridiculous things. I just try to think about how I would like to be taken care of if something like that would happen to me. Or, how I would like others to take care of my mother.

That's all. Not really related to your question, but it's something that I personally was unprepared for before clinicals.

Good luck to you and let us know how it goes!!! :) :)

[Weezy24]

Thank you so much for your reply and suggestions. Believe it or not, I have thought about the same things you had to deal with and which were not on your list of things to be mentally prepared for.

I just know there will some things that will make me cry. Not cry for anyone out of pity. You know , just the endless circle of life and how it mercilessly affects all of us.

I have in fact several times wanted to bring up this question in class, what if you break-down and cry or when you are talking to your residents and they ask you some delicate questions ,the answers to which are both known and not good.

I guess I will have to look out for one more thing. I know I am looking forward to learning a lot, just need to give myself a push and over-come that first time fear.

Thanks a lot again :)