CNA in training

breezycna · Apr 17, 2012

Yep.

Real life is not like the book. Welcome.

A lot of people say they aren't putting their parents in nursing homes, but have to anyway. There are many CNAs and other staff that do work hard and are not blowing off standard precautions and are using their heads to NOT do the things you say that you witnessed, and because of this, it's not fair to generalize LTC facilities based on whatever you've seen at clinicals. No, it's not right. You just do not do those things. Ever. It's first day of class material, and common sense. Clean to dirty, don't even consider leaving that Foley bag on the floor, etc. Not hard. But I happen to work at a very nice county facility in the Midwest. We get wonderful State evals and our residents' families are just thrilled with the time and attention and care we give their love ones. I did my clinicals at this facility back when I was in class, and yes, I saw things that were not by the book--nothing to the extent of blatant disregard for infection control that you saw, though.

Of course these things are bad. Unlike the CNAs you observed doing those things, many people on here are good at their jobs and aren't "people in the medical field who think this isn't so bad." Um. Ouch?

It seems this class is something you must take in order to become a nurse, because I honestly don't see why else you'd be taking it if it wasn't a requirement. I mean, I'm going to be a nurse too, but you seem unhappy with the entire practice, even from the get-go. What are you hoping to accomplish with your CNA license?

Maryea · Apr 17, 2012

Yes, the CNA class is a requirement to go on to nursing school.

I love the elderly and would not mind working with them at all, but my main complaint is that I am learning and I need to be shown the proper way to accomplish this job. This way, when I am taking my state exam I will pass. I have to pass this class.

Tonight is our lecture class and the teacher has already told us that she prepares herself for the many complaints she will hear from us after our first visit. I don't want to complain about the job the CNAs were doing....I will be complaining about paying big money for this class, only to be taught by people who are just "getting by".

Please don't think I am showing disrespect for all CNAs, I have a great deal of respect for the people who actually do the work, and I personally know some very good CNAs. And yes, I realize many people say they will not put family in a nursing home...If there is any way in this world that I can stick to that pledge, I will. I live 300 miles from my parents, and I know if I cannot visit them every day, I cannot monitor how they are being treated. If it comes down to them living in a nursing home, I will move them close to me so I can be there every day.

caliotter3 · Apr 17, 2012

I saw the same thing. It will hit you worse when you get on the job and see what your coworkers do, or don't do. It can be enough to make you ill. You will have to learn how to deal with it so you can rest at peace with yourself while maintaining your employment. Believe me, those same CNA's can make your work life hell, to the point of forcing you out of your job. And you might even see some of the nurses doing the same type of misdeeds. Best to focus on your own work and doing the best you can. Your residents will appreciate you.

cnamom12 · Apr 17, 2012

Hi to all, this is my first time on here. I am currently awaiting for my cna classes to start. I am really excited to be in a field where I can help others. I have been in banking for 15 years and am not satisfied with anything that I have done. I feel that if I am working with people and really helping them and making their day a good one, then I will feel like I have done some good in this world. People who cant take care of themselves need those of us who truly care to help them. I am hoping to make some friends on here and to share what I learn and learn from you all. Hope your day has been a good one.

Jessicainsantafe · Apr 17, 2012

Last week was our first clinical, and boy oh boy I saw some stuff that was never, ever in our texts....but it can't stop you from being the best CNA you can be, Maryea....our clinical group was the biggest ever according to our instructor, who by the way, has been an RN for over 40 years and is the most competent person I have ever had the privledge to observe&learn from. She told all of us that the first clinical is the hardest because we would see things that our class text wouldn't cover, but if we observed any unsafe conditions, find her pronto! We were teamed up in pairs, and the young lady I was with kind of disappeared for a time, but that didn't stop me from assisting my pt. In fact, we were assigned patients, but of course, while we were there, a daughter comes to visit her mother who was NOT on our assigned patient list, and she (the daughter), starts screaming down the hallway that her mother is wet! The room is nasty! Well, one other student and I (not the young lady I was assigned with), just took it upon ourselves to go clean up that lady with the quickness....no time for the quick Vicks under the nose, nothing...and no 'Thank You' from the daughter either.....but I think that if you are serious about this kind of work, you have got to be prepared for it all...

I think this week in clinicals I will try my best to shadow one of the more experienced CNA's there at the LTC to get the feel for the place....if I can. I just want to do the right thing by the people who need my help. If you remember that, Maryea, you will be able to deal with anything that your clinical throws at you, even if it is not by the book. As long as you provide the safest, cleanest cares for the residents, you know you have made a difference. I know I did, and I will be ready to take that CNA exam at the end of this. I wish you the best of luck---you already sound like a great CNA!

Maryea · Apr 18, 2012

We met with our lecture teacher last night and let her have it. She told us this would happen and she is always prepared. I am prepared to work in this type of environment until I can be hired in a hospital while I finish my education. I do understand we will see a lot of sad situations and we will be needed to step outside our comfort zone to do jobs we may have never dreamed about. What I do not understand are the CNAs that actually are certified. The CNAs who hate their jobs and the residents more. The CNAs who are burned out. The CNAs who are drinking or high when they take care of these elderly people who need real care. I just feel for the resident.

We should be set up to go two in a team and work with a CNA. Hopefully, the CNA we work with this week will give us proper instruction so we do the job the correct way.

Another complaint I had for the instructor was that I paid over $900 for this class and then am instructed by CNAs who don't give a flip. Her response when I asked how I am expected to pass a state exam was...."The state exam is very easy, you won't have any problem." Not really what I expected to hear.

toxic.waste · Apr 18, 2012

I can tell you that I would NEVER do any of those! And as a traveling CNA, if you got caught doing things like that, you would have been fired on the spot. Things that happen in your lab classes are in a "perfect" situation. Unfortunately, things are not perfect in a REAL facility. You will be given a LOT of work you must complete in a short time frame. But those practices you mentioned above are horrible patient care and, IMO, borderline neglect/abuse.

When I was in CNA clinicals, we didn't observe or work with the hired CNAs. Our instructor was the one that worked with us so we were trained properly in the "real" world facility. Yes it did take longer, but it was worth it.

angelee3 · May 31, 2012

"Hi to all, this is my first time on here. I am currently awaiting for my cna classes to start. I am really excited to be in a field where I can help others. I have been in banking for 15 years and am not satisfied with anything that I have done. I feel that if I am working with people and really helping them and making their day a good one, then I will feel like I have done some good in this world. People who cant take care of themselves need those of us who truly care to help them. I am hoping to make some friends on here and to share what I learn and learn from you all. Hope your day has been a good one."

Hi CNAMOM12!....I too worked in the financial services industry (banking) forever, 16 yrs to be exact. I have a bachelor of business administration degree and have decided to change careers. I was so bored sitting at a desk all day (working as an accouting assistant at a credit union), and felt like I was doing nothing that mattered. I start my CNA class this coming Tuesday and I am so excited, yet very nervous. I have almost dropped the class a couple of times because I am scared, but so far my excitement has outweighed the fear. I really hope to like the class and pursue an RN degree. I have started taking my pre-reqs and really hope to enjoy the CNA class.