Charting

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So on Monday November 2, 2009, I start my first day of clinical for CNA. I'm so stressed out that I'm going to do something wrong or not chart something correctly that will differ the nursing care plan. On top of this, my instructor is really good, but charting is something we just "talked" about and never actually practiced. We're supposed to learn this packet of 125 abbreviations...and honestly I've been taking Allied Health Science classes for a good while now (still a high school student) and honestly I don't feel as though I can use them while charting. I want what's best for the patient, and I guess that why I'm just stressing. Any suggestions?

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Well geez. Don't all post at once :cry:

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We did not chart as students. That was done by the CNAs we shadowed and we just observed how it was done. When you go to work you should get at least a week orientation to help you learn the new system. I can't imagine it will be you who actually charts. We did chart vitals, but nothing else.

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Yeah don't worry about it.... as a student you won't be doing the charting you are learning so they will teach you all of this. On my first clinical all we did was basic skills like bed making, hand washing, nail care, hair care, ect. It was all simple stuff that you do on a everyday basis. I would worry more about charting if you were a RN:nurse:

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During my clinicals we didn't go over any terms other than q2, q4....etc and adls. We didn't chart, we didn't get to look at the patients charts. We just shadowed and did skills on the patients. I wouldn't worry about the med terms so much as I would learning your skills down pat!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

We were allowed to look at the resident's charts, but we werent allowed to chart. That was up to the actual GNAs/LPNs etc.. And I guess it depends on where you work too. I think at hospitals the tech's arent allowed to write in the patient's charts, but at a long term facility you probably will write in the charts.

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

You shouldn't be asked to write anything in the patient chart as a CNA student unless someone is with you to orient you to the chart and the document needing to be filled out. No need to worry about stuff that hasn't been assigned to you yet! Take this ONE step at a time...you will be fine.

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