CNA and Social Anxiety

[tmart75, CNA]

So I just started my first job as a CNA and I find it so hard to communicate with the residents/patients. If you're a current CNA or part of the healthcare team, how did you make it easy to adjusting to patient care? I really want to provide the best care possible but I find it challenging to create small talk with my residents while assisting them. I find it hard to be in their personal space even though I know it is part of my job.

[Missingyou, CNA]

It is generally difficult to communicate with residents of a nursing home because of the reasons why they are there, dementia, etc.

It will just take time and experience to learn how to better communicate with them. As far as making small talk ( if you have that time....) start with asking simple questions about their life. You will find that those with dementia generally remember, respond to questions about their earlier years.such as how did you meet your spouse, where did you grow up, etc. Just go with whatever they say. Some may say something like they have to get up & ready for work tomorrow. Rather than reminding them they are retired, ask them where they work, do they enjoy it, etc....just go with it.

For those who cannot communicate, singing often helps calm them. Sing songs they are likely familiar with, happy birthday, row row row your boat, or even a traditional Holiday song (even if you're no where near that holiday). Talk about the weather, what they're having for dinner. 

When I first started, I wore bright informs with chapters like snoopy, Mickey mouse, cats, etc and that would often start the conversation.

Bottom line, ask questions about them. Get them talking so you don't have to. 

[Stu890]

Hi!

I have social anxiety as well. I generally do OK if I'm talking about myself so I do that in small talk more than anything else. OR I try to find a common interest and we discuss that. However, I am prone to oversharing so I have to adjust for that but otherwise, it takes a lot of the anxiety away.

I also find making myself busy helps. I go "Hi Ms_________ I'm going to check your IV site", or I fold sheets while talking. I always make small talk while busying myself with something else. It works like mindfulness and helps to ground me. I never do anything that requires my full focus; just something that uses one sense primarily.

Overall give yourself time. Your brain will likely stop or slow down on running laps once you get used to the new stimulus.