Bad bad day

amanda1229 · Aug 2, 2007

I just started my CNA job 6 shifts ago.. and today was the worst day of any job I have ever had...
I worked on the Alzheimers unit today, which I love, but I was sick so I already wasnt feeling too great..
Then, I was moving a heavy lady from her bed to her wheelchair, and her knees gave out & she feel.. I felt horrible, but I felt I really couldnt have done anything about it..
Then, ten minutes before I was going to go home, I go to put another resident in bed, and Im moving her from her bathroom to her bed, and she just flys out of her chair onto the floor & got a big ol bloody gash in her head.. I think her foot must have got caught on the bottom of the wheelchair..
All I know is today was a horrible day & I feel like I just wanna quit because I wanted to do this job to help people & now Im just hurting them.. That, and I feel like Im not even getting very much experience, which was the whole purpose of doing this before nursing school starts..
Ok enough whining for the day...

Sorry you had the bad day. I kind of found that when I first started, most of my first shifts made me feel like I shouldn't be there, either. But only after I realized that I was just freaking out and being irrational did I start to get more comfortable. How many of us just jump into ANY job and don't doubt it at one point? Stick it out, find out for sure.

Residents are going to fall. I had two fall in one of my first shifts, too. I wasn't transferring, but I didn't have their alarms on (one of them didn't have it on her CP, but the other did). They both coincidentally fell (go figure), luckily both were just fine (the worst was a hemotoma), but I still was humiliated and felt absolutely horrible.

Always remember to be super sensitive about transfers, though. At my facility, and most I'm sure, we try to limit the two-person assists because it's easier. But I always figure if you can't handle a big one-assist, mention it to the MDS so the resident is safe with you!

I hope you don't quit, and I hope your next days get better. :) For me, it was just getting past that fear, and when someone told me for the first time that I was there favorite, or that I was doing a great job.

megykilo · Aug 2, 2007

residents fall and it is a fact of life in a nursing home. as long as you are consistent with checking to make sure conditions are as safe as possible before the transfer, there is nothing else you can do. i felt like you do when i first started; it was overwhelming, i was sick from the smells, sights and feeling so sad that these people had to live like they do. it will get better. great peace of mind goes with knowing that you did the very best you can, every shift. this is hard work but it is very honorable. there is nothing that beats getting a heartfelt thank you from the people who recognize that you are the one walking beside their mother so that she doesn't fall. :)

as far as experience before clinicals start: you don't think you're getting enough experience? how about the times when you had a million things to do, call lights giving you a migraine, had to pee, viciously hungry and a resident with dementia chanting something you can't understand...and you were able to prioritize and get things done the way they need to be? when you were sweating to death in the heat while they ask for a jacket and you smile and gently help them with it when you could have finished the next task by then? when you come across the biggest motherload all over the sheets and clean up in record time without batting an eye? how about being able to calmly explain a basic concept to families who have no idea about anything? or being able to brush off the most lewd comments and dodge the swingers who are convinced you are their worst enemy from the past? do you really think a rookie student with no CNA experience can draw from these situations (and so many others) and apply it to a clinical setting like you can? character and work ethic is the best prerequisite for nursing as a profession, in my opinion. it's a humble way, but it's a good way to start. please don't be discouraged!

ps sorry about the long post. i'm tired. from you know what

nightmare, RN · Aug 2, 2007

Use it as a learning experience ,Amanda,don't shift anyone heavy by yourself even if the other CNA's do it or ***** because you don't do it.You only get one back and you need it for the rest of your life!!

Watch residents on wheelchairs!!they will move their feet off the foot rests!!don't move them in chairs without footrests because most of them can't keep their feet up off the ground,and ,my pet bugbear,always put the foot rests fully back before sitting someone in a wheelchair.The amount of times I've seen ripped ankles which turn into something nasty because of poor circulation and slow healing.

We all have off days,especially if you are not feeling well but use these

things as a positive learning experience and reflect on what happened and what could have been done differently.If ,on reflection, you can see that nothing could have prevented things happening well,sometimes an accident is just an accident.

deleern · Aug 2, 2007

It is the way i started. I sold my insuance agency... my Husband did not like it. but it was killing me. He was sure i was going to hate it so he said go ahead get your CNA and then lets see how you like it... I loved it. it was the Hardest work I had ever done since i Left the farm... But i loved every Min. of it. After 3 years of college. and working fulltime (for health insurance) I graduated this May and Passed my Boards in June. You can learn alot. you will have an advantage over the others in LPN Classes. you will really conect the dots as times goes on.

by the way the last two years the facility where i work hired me as an LPN and Now i am working there as an RN. This fall I am going on for my Masters. (part time) I hope to teach someday.

If you care it will show. Learn from your mistakes.. you will go far. we need you in LTC.

bethin · Aug 2, 2007

Sorry you had a bad day - or a bad bad day :)

When transferring resident's that are heavy and do not stand well, get help no matter who gripes. It's not about them it's about resident safety. I'm not saying it's your fault. I once was transferring a 90 year old woman who was stand by assist and had her fall on me. It happens. It happens alot in LTC.

Don't let this get you down.

apnea · Aug 3, 2007

All I know is today was a horrible day & I feel like I just wanna quit because I wanted to do this job to help people & now Im just hurting them.. That, and I feel like Im not even getting very much experience, which was the whole purpose of doing this before nursing school starts..

Entirely untrue. What would they have done if you hadn't been there? Stay in bed all day? Either humiliate themselves not getting to the bathroom in time, or have to wait uncomfortably for someone else who may not give a damn that they fell? i dunno, a bump on the head and a sore cheek (or two) is going to happen in LTC, it's the nature of the beast. Most of the time they're just glad you care enough to feel bad about it.

Shenanigans, RN · Aug 3, 2007

I'm sorry you had such a crap day.

My friend works in McDs and she told me she had the WORST day EVAH when she dropped five trays of eggs!! I told her one of my patients had a seizure in the hoist and fell right onto the floor.

Even though there was no hx of epilepsy and it was completely random, I still felt like crap about it.

There's always going to be incidents, and accidents, and it doesn't matter how long youv'e been doing it for, I know of a case where a seasoned CG, who'd been doing it al lher life, rolled a pt and the pt's NOF #!!

casi, ASN, RN · Aug 3, 2007

Unfortunately people fall. At least they had someone who cared about htem and their wellbeing to make sure they were okay and help them up again. I've had people fall when I'm with them and it makes you feel like you are the worst aide in the world. At some point you just accept that no matter what you do some people will fall.

For those that are heavy or transfer roughly, make sure you get an assist of two and a mechanical lift.

lucysmom11 · Aug 3, 2007

My entire first month at the Alzheimers care home that I work at was a test! I wanted to quit every day....but I started to realize that I can do this and do it well! I love my residents and want them to have the best day when I am there. It is all about them....and people fall everyday whether it is in a care home or at the mall, or walking down the street. That is life! This is the hardest and best job I have ever had...I have learned patience and strength and understanding. Please give it time....focus on doing your job to the best of your ability! And never be afraid to ask for help even if someone gets snippy with you! Who cares what they think...you are just keeping your resident safe and cared for!

jb2u, ASN, RN · Aug 4, 2007

Everyone here has already stated it but....tomorrow is another day! The day WILL come that a resident or his/her family member says "thank you soooo much for what you do for mom/dad" or you see the resident's eyes light up when they see that YOU will be caring for them today, and THEN, you will understand what a rewarding feeling it is to be a CNA. Maybe then you can post a "I had a GREAT GREAT DAY" post.

I wish you all the best.

Sincerely,

Jay

Scooter1129 · Aug 5, 2007

Hello,

Im new here.Im a CNA student.I started class on July 9th,.I was in class for 1 week and than out to the floor I went. I was scared to death. I was doing so well,than yesterday,I clocked in ,went to my hall. I was doing a check of everyone and there lay a man on the floor!I ran into his room only to find that the shift before me did not put his beeper on him. (he had tried to get out of bed and into his wheelchair) I was so mad and scared.He busted his lip wide open,gash on his head and bruised his tailbone.I was so upset.As a student we can not do anything unless we have a certif.CNA beside us.I was thinking fast!I reached up and turned his call light on!A few seconds into the light being on my mentor came in and helped.Our charge nurse took me off to the side and thanked me for doing the right thing. At first I wanted to pick him up off the floor and hug him! Everyday is stressfull yet I feel good when I leave. Im sure there will be plenty more of these types of days but as the days go,our learning of handling these situtions will get better.