Already burned out...

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I just recently finished my CNA class, but facilities around here will hire students, so I've been working at a nursing home since February. However, I'm already showing signs of burnout.

I think my facility strives to be a "good" nursing home, but the common perils of LTCs are still there: the toxic work environment, some "bad" CNAs, the mindless repetition of nothing but ADLs, the low pay, the back problems, etc. I dread going to work every day. I really should have known-- the DON told me when I was hired that she's never seen a place where CNAs left so fast. Most new CNAs leave after about six months, and I'll probably find myself leaving before then!

I've really found myself disagreeing with what nursing homes do in general. I feel like offspring dump their parents there to die, and we only prolong the process. So many residents wish they were gone, and yet we only sustain their misery. If it were up to me, all the residents would be receiving home health care, not stuck in an institution.

The only reason I took the job was because it was within walking distance, and at the time we could not afford a car. I have a wife, a stepson, and a baby on the way that I need to support, but I need to get out of the nursing home.

I had a job interview at the hospital (VERY hard to get hired there), and there are some mental health agencies around here I could apply for, assuming transportation works out (we only have one car). But until I find out how things go with the hospital, how can I avoid burnout? I don't want my residents to suffer from poor car due to my stress. :crying2:

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Fuzzy you usually are very helpful and even-tempered so you must have had a reaaally hard day, don't blame you a bit for blowing off steam. ((hugs))Activity Director vs CNA? Helping out once in a while vs day in and day out dealing with something like total care on 30 patients, many of whom are morbidly obese? Just the strain on your body after a few months of that would make it impossible to have a "sunny outlook".

People who have jobs that never end, are never done, and physically taxing are known to have more stress hormones circulating and have depressed immune responses.

It is very concerning that you are turning morbidly obese patients by yourself and cleaning with one arm. I know you need the job. If you wreck your body, then what? Nothing is worth that. Don't let people guilt trip you. INSIST on help!! I wonder if "lift laws" that other countries have are included in the new healthcare plan laws. Hope so!!

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg.
It's sad when those people are a full code and have tube feeds and such. But if that guy is on comfort measures, then he will stop eating when he wants to stop eating. Once someone has decided it's their time you can try all you want but you're not getting anything into them if they don't want to take it, short of a feeding tube. You'll see. With some people it's gradual, and with some they're doing fine and then all of a sudden they refuse to eat. So I don't really see feeding someone who's forgotten how to feed himself or whose arms no longer work as prolonging their death.

Thanks for the tidbit of info, it makes me feel a little better.

I think we all need to just sit back, have some hot Sleepy Time tea, and enjoy some time off. :cheers:

Specializes in -.
Well,my attitude is all sunny and roses and no one can change that unless I let them.I am not saying its not easy to get burned out.This happens in ANY JOB hon.I have worked as an Activity Director for 20 years and I suffered from burn out too.I was just trying to say that CNA is a tough job and not easy by any means but if you have a good outlook your day will go by better and its very easy to talk to your residents and get to know them while trying to get your job done.I have helped CNAs,laundry,I even helped for two weeks in the kitchen at 5:00 am because four dietary staff up and quit and I was needed in there,I have helped tolet,shower and dress residents as well and that wasn't in my job description either.My point is you do what you need to and try to work as a team.I have no fear that I will make a great CNA no matter what they try to throw at me and I will do it with a "sunny and rosey" attitude.I hope that maybe you will try it too.:twocents: Just my two cents.Enjoy life,its too short!

I really do understand what you mean because that is my attitude normally. I am just dumbfounded with what I encountered on my job this week that I can't imagine keeping up. The problem is very systemic in the nursing home I'm working in and I'm not sure management gets it. But you are right, it really does help to go in with a positive attitude. I really did want the orginal poster of this thread to know that she wasn't alone though. Thanks for the pep talk :)

Specializes in LTC.

I had a much better day today but I still stand by what I said. You can't talk the talk until you've walked the walk, so to speak.

Hello Evening Sky,

Your quote is somewhat troubling to me as I have had the great pleasure to have worked as a Activity Director for over twenty years in SNF's and now starting CNA class in a few weeks.As an Activity Director I have found that we have the opportunity everyday to bring joy and happiness to the residents in Nursing homes in what ever role we play there.I have found that you either like working in Skilled Nursing facilities or you don't.Not every family can afford Home health care for their loved ones and thats why we are there.I really believe that everyone that works with these residents can make their lives more enjoyable.From CNAs to the Nurses to maintenance to dietary and laundry,EVERYONE!I think maybe its your attitude towards your job.Can you maybe try to get to know your residents a little better,take the time to listen to them and maybe this will help.I know CNAs have lots of duties and little time but I think if everyone has a sunny outlook about having an opportunity to touch these people lives in a positive way you will enjoy your job a little more.I hope you dont take offense to any of my post as I truly mean well.Good luck to you and I hope you can enjoy working with your residents :):clown::jester:

http://theactivitydirectorsoffice.com/Gina_ActivityIdeasThatWork_Home.html

No offense, but working as a CNA and working in the activity department aretwo entirely different things. Your job entails finding fun things for the residents to do. Ours is all of the not-so- fun things. If they're incontinent, you don't clean them up, you call us. If they're combative, you call us, etc.

No offense, but working as a CNA and working in the activity department aretwo entirely different things. Your job entails finding fun things for the residents to do. Ours is all of the not-so- fun things. If they're incontinent, you don't clean them up, you call us. If they're combative, you call us, etc.

Well like I said before,I worked as a caregiver and I am well aware of what both jobs entail,Thanks.

I still was just trying to make the point that attitude is everything,no matter what job u do.

I think it's most annoying when you say things like:

"I think maybe its your attitude towards your job.Can you maybe try to get to know your residents a little better,take the time to listen to them and maybe this will help.I know CNAs have lots of duties and little time..."

I can't remember the last time I got to have an actual conversation with one of my residents. The point everyone is trying to make is that you "help out" but it's a CHOICE you make to do that. You can always choose not to and just sit down with a resident and have a nice chat and get to know them. I don't have that choice, because there's a call light going off or a shower to do. When I decided to apply to become a CNA I thought my day would have a lot more fulfilling things in it, but it seems like all I have time for is cleaning poop.

i think it's most annoying when you say things like:

"i think maybe its your attitude towards your job.can you maybe try to get to know your residents a little better,take the time to listen to them and maybe this will help.i know cnas have lots of duties and little time..."

i can't remember the last time i got to have an actual conversation with one of my residents. the point everyone is trying to make is that you "help out" but it's a choice you make to do that. you can always choose not to and just sit down with a resident and have a nice chat and get to know them. i don't have that choice, because there's a call light going off or a shower to do. when i decided to apply to become a cna i thought my day would have a lot more fulfilling things in it, but it seems like all i have time for is cleaning poop.

well my point is, what are you doing while "cleaning poop"??? just complaining and moaning or are you talking to the residents.and yes,i know that some are non responsive,i have been in long term care for 20 years.

all i keep getting from those of you that keep telling me that you have no time cause your job is so hard and that i dont know what i am talking about,is negitivity.i am 42 years old and have had some sh**** jobs in my life but i always try to make the best of a situation",and that is my point! i am sorry if i have annoyed you by stating a simple fact but its true in anything in life,if you have a bad attitude,it shows in all aspects of your life( and you will obviously get burnt out quicker )

you all can keep posting rude things about my posts but the fact is the same,attitude is everything.i choose to try to be happy and not allow anyone to change the fact that i am healthy,and i can work and try to be a ray of light to those that i care for,thats all i am trying to say,these people that we all care for did not choose to be tossed in a nursing home and i try to remember that everytime i walk into a residents room ( as a caregiver or activity director,both of which i have been) that needs my help,its not their fault that anyone has too much work to do,or that we are burnt out,we are all they have, so me personally,i have a positive,sunny attitude as much as possible.i am blessed to have an opportunity to be a part of a care team that enjoys working with seniors.

i hope you can see my point,if you agree with it or not.:):clown::redbeathe

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

pretty sure most cnas understand the concept of someone's attitude affecting their job since they first heard the seven dwarfs sing "whistle while you work" as children. so for you to keep repeating that over and over is condescending. changing to a bright color and repeating that same point isn't making you too much of a ray of light to the multiple people here who are put off by your attitude toward them.

it doesn't matter if you were "a caregiver" or an activity director or you "help out". you are not a cna. you have not walked even 50 feet in their shoes. i really don't understand your stubborn insistence that if you repeat the same thing 5 ways, you will get people to agree with your opinion.

pretty sure most cnas understand the concept of someone's attitude affecting their job since they first heard the seven dwarfs sing "whistle while you work" as children. so for you to keep repeating that over and over is condescending. changing to a bright color and repeating that same point isn't making you too much of a ray of light to the multiple people here who are put off by your attitude toward them.

it doesn't matter if you were "a caregiver" or an activity director or you "help out". you are not a cna. you have not walked even 50 feet in their shoes. i really don't understand your stubborn insistence that if you repeat the same thing 5 ways, you will get people to agree with your opinion.

i never gave anyone an attitude here at all,i dont know what you are reading in my post.i am not trying to get anyone here to agree or disagree with me at all.i really could care less if you are a cna and you think that you know it all and i dont what i am talking about but this is a site with different people's opinions and thoughts and those were mine.if you dont like my advise or thoughts thats fine but dont sit and tell me that i am condescending.and as far as my changing the colors on my post it was simply for me to differenciate the post before mine,there was no hidden meaning in it.i will not post again on this topic as it has now totally gotten of the original topic and just a bit** session for people that think they know it all like you.i will be back here in a couple of weeks when i finish my clinicals so i can be a cna and maybe then i can state my opinion like the rest of you and not be told that i dont know anything.

Specializes in LTC.

I can't wait, I really can't!

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Well, Gina, if you really were completely unaware of the dynamic going on here, I will break it down. But to summarize ahead of time, here it is. People come to this site to vent, share experiences both positive and negative, and to give and get support from people who have been there, too. If someone, such as myself, has not been there, too, a simple, "hey, I hear you, sorry it's so rough" is all I need to add. Note that the CNA messages in this thread are CNAs talking to each other, offering support, and a sounding board. They are asking each other specific things about each other's jobs. Your posts, while I am sure are well-intentioned, rubbed almost everyone on here the wrong way! Didn't you get an inkling that your advice was not being taken as intended? And yes, you did continue to restate the same point over and over, and your tone was condescending. Here's why.

Hello Evening Sky...I think maybe its your attitude towards your job.Can you maybe try to get to know your residents a little better,take the time to listen to them and maybe this will help.I know CNAs have lots of duties and little time but I think if everyone has a sunny outlook about having an opportunity to touch these people lives in a positive way you will enjoy your job a little more.I hope you dont take offense to any of my post as I truly mean well.Good luck to you and I hope you can enjoy working with your residents :):clown::jester:

http://theactivitydirectorsoffice.com/Gina_ActivityIdeasThatWork_Home.html

This certainly supportive, but you are stating up front that you are not a CNA. Automatically, anyone who is a CNA is going to take this with a grain of salt. Sorry if that bothers you, but it's human nature. Second, your advice about having a good attitude really is not a mysterious concept. You are assuming a)that they've never thought of that themselves aka "duh!" b) suggesting something completely implausible in most CNA's daily job (taking the time to just listen and get to know them) further cementing their impression that you don't understand what they do, and again suggesting that they had not yet thought it would be a good idea to get to know the residents. That's "duh!" number two. See where this is going?

QUOTE=Biogirl4;4207751This is all sunny and roses but I've worked three days in a nursing home (first time on the job) and I shadowed a CNA who had 30 fully dependent patients assigned to her!! If I am assigned this floor by myself after three weeks training there is no way I can give proper care let alone try to 'get to know them'. I had to change the bed of a 400lb woman who couldn't help move herself at all and she had dementia. There was no one to help me. I can see how CNA's can burn out easily in this kind of setting.

You're getting pushback from someone other than the OP who took offense to this, who is a CNA actually in training. So you. . .

QUOTE=ginaaz;4207903]. . .This happens in ANY JOB hon.I have worked as an Activity Director for 20 years and I suffered from burn out too.I was just trying to say that CNA is a tough job and not easy by any means but if you have a good outlook your day will go by better and its very easy to talk to your residents and get to know them while trying to get your job done.

Completely dismiss her point, repeat your opinion that being an Activity Director for 20 yrs qualifies you to comment on their job, and repeat your advice about "getting to know them" adding the "hon" to it. However intended, terms like "hon" and "sweetie" convey sarcasm in cyberspace. Likely now annoying a few more people. It may have been a good idea for you to bail at this point but. . .

QUOTE=fuzzywuzzy;4208028]It's annoying when someone who isn't a CNA yet tries to tell us what to do or how to feel. Helping out is great, but it's just that- helping out. It's not the same thing as doing the job all day every day. At least see for yourself before you preach to us.

Actual CNA #2 arrives, and says this is "annoying". You may be wondering why no one understands your simple concept. Perhaps you are off base a little? Heck, no!! You press on. . .

WOW! I am sorry for putting my two cents in.I was not preaching at anyone,let alone trying to tell you what to do.A job is a job thats it,if you dont like your job get a new one.

Now you are pouting because no one gets you. With a side of snotty. This is now Officially Extremely Not Helpful, and makes your hurt feelings center stage, rather than the topic, which is a CNA posting about his burn-out issues.

QUOTE=fuzzywuzzy;4208097]Well I don't know what you would call that if not preaching. Someone who has no clue what it's like because they are NOT a CNA telling us that it's our fault if we're stressed because it's all in our heads.

People like you are always convinced that you're going to become great CNAs before you even get out there because you "care." Well we all care, despite what you may think.

QUOTE=ginaaz;4208230]Well hon, as far as a heavy workload,I have worked as a caregiver in the 80's before I was an Activity Director and I have had over two hundred residents as an AD that were mine alone to do my job for so please be aware that I do know what I am talking about.I can go and be an Activity Director but I am choosing to be more hands on and make a difference.And yes,singing a tune and being happy does get the job done easier.

Lather, rinse, repeat and another, more pointed "hon". Ummm, maybe it's you?

No offense, but working as a CNA and working in the activity department aretwo entirely different things. Your job entails finding fun things for the residents to do. Ours is all of the not-so- fun things. If they're incontinent, you don't clean them up, you call us. If they're combative, you call us, etc.

3 for 3 on how the CNAs are perceiving you. Sounds like you think they're just dense?

Well like I said before,I worked as a caregiver and I am well aware of what both jobs entail,Thanks.

I still was just trying to make the point that attitude is everything,no matter what job u do.

Yes, you said it before. And you still say you know what the job entails when you don't.

I think it's most annoying when you say things like:

"I think maybe its your attitude towards your job.Can you maybe try to get to know your residents a little better,take the time to listen to them and maybe this will help.I know CNAs have lots of duties and little time..."

I can't remember the last time I got to have an actual conversation with one of my residents. The point everyone is trying to make is that you "help out" but it's a CHOICE you make to do that. You can always choose not to and just sit down with a resident and have a nice chat and get to know them. I don't have that choice, because there's a call light going off or a shower to do. When I decided to apply to become a CNA I thought my day would have a lot more fulfilling things in it, but it seems like all I have time for is cleaning poop.

Gina, maybe you'll understand, but I really doubt it. I cannot see any big variety and difference in all of your posts. Your red color was only used on the last post, but whatever. You don't want to budge off of your turf no matter what anyone says. And, actually, I'm not a "know-it-all". But I really have tried to learn how to really listen to what people are saying. If you haven't walked a mile in someone's shoes, you can still offer an arm, an extended hand, or a pat on the back. Sometimes, that's all we need. :nurse:

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