CNA problems with supervisor

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I just started working at a convalescent home which greatly needed me. So, unlike my friend and coworker who had a month of orientating, I had a week and a half. It is fair to say, I'm not very well educated with the facility.

Now, this is my first job as a CNA and I'm fresh out of school, I'm also a full time pre-nursing student. Since I've been working, I've had a problem with one of the charge nurses who is a LVN. Last time she chewed me out for not raising the head of the bed for a resident who is on GT and I admit, I messed up. Then she went on to saying how the other CNA's complain how I don't have a routine and she "doen't know what to do with me". She said there's plenty of stuff I do that's wrong and yet, she keeps her mouth shut like she's watching out for me. She then threatened to write me up if it happens again (which she has told me before with different things in the past). I told her it wouldn't happen again.

I told her I was trying really hard to do everything right, which I honestly am. This charge nurse had me second guessing if I really wanted to work as a CNA, if I should quit and if I'm really that bad? I asked her for advice to show that I am interested and dedicated to improving my CNA skills.

Not sure on how to handle this when I'm already trying really hard to do everything right. It's frustrating. :confused:

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Does the LVN know that you are a brand new aide? I'm sorry to say that most Ltd homes like to treat the newbies like garbage. Hopefully it will get better for you.

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Yes, she knows. I've told her how this is my first job as a CNA and everything.

Thank you, I appreciate it. Hopefully it will!

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I've had issues with LVNs in the past when I first started as a CNA. It seems like the mean ones can smell fear, and take some sort of sick pleasure in torturing people who are just trying to learn. I hope it doesn't keep happening as you get better as a CNA. Just keep showing your willingness to learn and hopefully it will stop. If it doesn't stop, find a different place to work. That's what I had to do after about six months.

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Specializes in Acute Rehab, IMCU, ED, med-surg.

As you learn something new, or have a mistake, it can help to write it down, along with the best way to do the task/handle the situation. Honestly, the first three months of being a CNA, especially in LTC, can be very hard. . .hopefully everything will start coming together soon for you. Unfortunately, missing things here or there because of being new can happen. . .the concern would be when the same things get missed repeatedly after being talked to about it/them. Hang in there!

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I know how hard it is to be a brand new CNA in LTC...and after about a month I was seriously ready to throw in the towel and just quit - but I'm starting my ADN program thia fall and I knew if I quit that I would probably give up on this as well. It does take a while before one really establishes a routine and is comfortable as a CNA...for me it was about three months before I stopped coming home after my shift feeling like a total failure - and I know for a fact that there were often times when my charge nurse and the other CNAs wanted to strangle me! My advice to you is to keep going, do not give up. If the other CNAs are willing, ask them for advice, suggestions, and feedback on how you are doing - after all, they were all new once as well. Take constructive critism and apply the lesson...show that you learn from your mistakes. In just a short time you will be a great aide!! Good luck!

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That's a tough job...I commend you for owning up to your mistakes but its also hard working in a LTC and being a brand new aide or employee we are all bound to make mistakes...the best part is every time you show up to work you are learning something new..hang in there its get better...Good luck to you

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