Can a shy person be a good CNA?

OnlinePersona, LPN · Jun 8, 2014

Hey everyone
I haven't really posted here before, but I read all the time. I just started my CNA course last week and we had our first clinical yesterday. It was just an orientation showing us how to change/shower residents, make beds, read charts and stuff like that. We also had to go into the dining room during meal times and sit/talk with residents or help them eat. I am a really shy person, I can't just start up conversations with random people, so I just chose a resident who couldn't feed themselves or really talk so I just fed her the entire time and I was watching most of the other students with their bubbly outgoing personalities going from table to table talking to all the residents with a huge smile on their faces. This really worries me. I am just not that type of person and it really makes me feel I will fail as a CNA. Our next clinical we get our own resident to care and I am so scared.
Any advice?

Hi Angela,

I can relate to you. My advice to you is to think about what you are doing or rather why you are doing it. You (if you are doing your job correctly) is there to help assist these people. The way you write i have this feeling your going to be awesome! Let your heart do the speaking. Infact sometimes non-verbal cues (such as smiling, eye contact, touching their shoulder to show attentiveness) works just as well. Just remember you are very important to these people in some way, don't feel shy.... feel empowered!

Kadeem

bruto · Jun 8, 2014

Same problem Angela.... I am such a shy person who cannot start conversations.... I am from different place and culture where I am not allowed to speak top of my voice... It's very difficult for me to put my thoughts to words even though my mind thinks lot... Throughout the hospital they call me very quiet girl and some of the nurses will not like to do shift with me because I won't speak much... It takes time for me to get along with people... I was just newly hired... I am thinking to take few steps to overcome all these... May be it's funny but I don't know whether it works... The whole next I am just going to try to spend ten minutes in my patient room just chatting something... I am just going to see whether I am able to keep conversation for ten minutes at first

TheScarecrow · Jun 8, 2014

To the shy posters. Just some thoughts from a fellow shy person. I notice alot of negative statements (especially: I can't). That inner monolog is poisonous. Shyness and self-consciousness go hand in hand. Try to turn off that inner dialog and experience what lies beyond your thoughts.

It's perfectly acceptable to not be a chatty person. Your presence is what matters, not the ability to generate superficial chatter. I actually think a CNA job is great idea. Overcoming shyness means learning new strategies. This job will force you to get your feet wet and step outside your comfort zone. It's ok to not feel secure in situations you feel you cannot control. I hope some of this helps

Actias luna · Jun 8, 2014

I'm really glad you brought this up, Angela. I will be following this thread.

mineSgold · Jun 9, 2014

And do not be shy to speaking up or ask a necessary question to your fellow CNA OR a Nurse at work when you need help. You will overcome your shyness once you used to interact with different people. coming from a former shy person;) :blink: :woot:

arodgz · Jun 9, 2014

I remember my first day working as a CNA being in orientation following around a CNA trying to socialize with the CNA but also the residents.. very awkward. What ALWAYS works for me is asking the residents where they are from? If they are from the area the nursing home is.. that will easily start up a conversation about where they are from, their families, reasons for being in nursing home,etc etc always works for me :)

Missingyou, CNA · Jun 9, 2014

Your shyness will actually help you be a better CNA.

It will allow you to be a better listener.

Most of the time, if you work in a nursing home, you will have very little time for chatting with your resident...sad but true. You will need to go in, provide care and move on. At dinner, if you're helping them eat, I have found that chances are, if you need to feed someone, they are most likely unable to carry on a conversation because of their illness. If they can, all you need is to ask them about their children, where they worked, or about some of their favorite things when they were kids themselves. Sometimes all you have to do is ask questions and let them do the talking....in fact, that should be the goal here, let them do most or all of the talking. Be a good listener....which shy people typically are!

SweetSouthernLove, ASN, BSN · Jun 10, 2014

I also dealt with this issue working in a huge hospital dealing with other CNA's (that all have different personalities), doctors, residents, and many nurses. This profession is completely engulfed in human based contact and I knew immediately that my shyness would have to go out the window at least when I was at work because I was responsible for lives and people depended on me, whatever title they may hold. You will be talking to patients (whom are sick and may not be in their most cheerful mood), their families, and performing thousands of necessary actions to provide them with the best possible care.

I also noticed that many nurses, those whom have tons of experience, still can be caught off guard by a patient's actions. How you compose yourself in these situations are crucial to your patient's safety and also your role in their care. It is also extremely important to remember how important you are for whom you are giving care and knowing that you are an advocate for them. I gained confidence from my fellow coworkers and learning everything I could from my experiences in healthcare. Every time I go to work I learn something new, and I think this will always be this way. I also learned that people are simply unpredictable and that is why the special people who volunteer their professions to this field are immeasurable.

There is an acronym that I ran across on this site that was extremely to the point and I think will be helpful in your situation. It is K.I.C.K. Knock, Introduce yourself to the patient & their family members, Always remember to pull the Curtain, and Know Your Procedure. I think these few things will allow you to curb your shyness and gain confidence. I work in an Oncology/Hematology unit and I see some of my patients for months at a time whom are often involved with multiple rounds of chemotherapy, BMTs, and infection control issues but there is not a day when I don't K.I.C.K. because it is our job to let that patient know that every single shift we will be their professional advocate and support for their medical care. I wish you the best and don't be afraid to be yourself!

hookyarnandblanket · Jun 10, 2014

If I can be a CNA with a severe anxiety disorder, a shy person can do it. It takes time and practice. The poster above me had some great advice.

PrettyNerd, CNA, LPN, LVN · Jun 11, 2014

Wow! I am so glad you asked this question because I was going to ask this exact question! I am also very very shy! Actually someone at work told me that they almost didn't hire me because I was "too quiet" (that place is very unprofessional) Anyway, I see all the other aides getting along with the residents and they act like they are part of their family and the residents just love them. Even though I'm shy, I still do all my work and give the residents what they like, I'm like the professional one, if that makes sense? I think being shy is a good thing though because like someone said, it makes us good listeners and that is true for me. Also once you start working with residents and getting more familiar with the place and the people, and you start to feel a little comfortable, you will overcome your shyness a little, that's not to say that you will be outgoing and loud but at least in the work setting, you will learn how to better communicate with your nurses and the residents because you are familiar with them and you've spent time with them. I'm still shy but I learned that talking to your coworkers and most importantly your residents is very important. I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels that way, but I know I do a good job and I know you will too :)

Angela89 · Jun 15, 2014

Thanks everyone!

It wasn't so bad. The nursing home just changed their policy on letting students get their own resident and now have everyone following/helping a CNA around, which is so much better I think.

I am really soft spoken and realize I need to change that lol. A few residents kept saying they couldn't hear me, so I had to keep trying to talk louder, and I noticed all the nurses/CNAs talk really loudly, so I need to work on that. Apparently I also need to work on my coffee making skills. I was sitting with two residents during meal time and they asked me to get them coffee and I have never made coffee in my life. So, I just go to the fountain thing and pour it, they yell out that the coffee is so bitter, the entire dining room was starring at my table!! I guess it needed cream and sugar.....