Any advice for a new CNA?

[MaddyFranklin]

I've been working as a CNA for over a month in LTC. This is my first CNA job and I'm still feeling unsure about my work. I had 3 weeks of training before I started on the floor on my own. My coworkers are getting frustrated with me and one of them even was screaming at me for asking for help with transfers and charting. That was very discouraging. I'm trying my best but I really need some advice.

[BBboy]

Over time you'll gain experience and confidence in your work. Getting yelled at by your coworkers, especially more than 1? Typically means something is missing in your work and that's something you need to evaluate. I've dealt with many issues with my coworkers in the past (lazy, annoying, unwilling yo assist others) and it typically takes a lot for someone to actually speak up. It's understandable that you're new but you want to fix whatever the issue is while you're still fresh. You don't want to have the persona of "this CNA is so x". The nursing community is very small and word travels fast

[Missingyou, CNA]

It does take time to get a routine down and pick up speed.

You have been there over a month, and unless you are a float, you should have a routine down and have a good idea of the needs and preferences of your residents.

My first thought about the issues you maybe having are:

You need to remember, there is the way they teach you in class and then there is the real world. What I mean by that is sometimes (short of patient and your own safety) there are shortcuts you MUST take in order to meet all the demands on you. For example: the bed bath my include armpits and groin only rather than a full bed bath if you have call lights on etc....

Sometimes you have to actually dress the resident rather than wait and let them dress themselves if they are slow....or leave them to do the dressing(if you can safely) while you assist others.

Sometimes trash isn't picked up or a bed isn't as neatly made. ...sometimes you must (as politely as possible)interrupt a chatty resident in order to be able to move on to the next.

These are some of the things that can hold you back and take up way too much time. Don't forget to help your coworkers with transfers when they ask.

I think you really do know what you are doing, you just lack confidence and that will be your down fall. With the resident's, try to avoid asking for help unless you are completely clueless (and you've had the training so you should never be clueless!).

You should not be yelled at for asking help with transferring if the person is a 2 assist. If that person is a one assist and you are having trouble, then you need to find a nurse (not another CNA) to observe and re evaluate the resident.

Be confident! Hold your head up and be firm in your position.