DCA Training on Job at LTC...Frustrated

[babs503]

I've been so frustrated for the past two days about my job new in a LTC. I just started training as a DCA (I'm going to take CNA classes this summer) one week ago Thursday, trained for four shifts total and then they started me on my own hall second shift. I've worked my own hall for the past two nights and am really stressed right now. While I'm getting everything I need to get done by the end of my shift, I have to move constantly and haven't even been able to take the two fifteen minute breaks I'm supposed to during my shift.

I like the people I work with and the residents, but I feel like I really should have had more training before being put out there on my own and I should have been given more information about the residents I'm caring for. I feel like I'm working my butt off and still feel incompetent when I get off my shift. I'm particularly frustrated with myself because I have three residents on my hall who are total care and I have to ask for assistance in transferring them. It seems like the other DCA's/CNA's resent my requests for assistance. I've watched videos about proper posture and body mechanics (as I was never taught anything at work), but I just can't lift these three residents by myself. I also have one resident who is never happy with the way I do anything and I dread going into her room.

I hope that my time management and routine comes more naturally to me in another couple of weeks. I've worked all three shifts, and the 3-11 is the toughest as far as I'm concerned. We have to walk residents as soon as we get in, then get them into dinner, change briefs after dinner, give showers to those who are scheduled for them, give snack, get everyone ready for bed (and it seems they all want to go to bed at the same time, so call bells are going crazy), wash, dry and fold towels, linens and resident laundry, clean and vaccuum the dining areas, fill out paperwork, then do rounds again half an hour before our shift ends. I have no time to sit down.

Just had to vent...I feel like I've been thrown out there a little too soon and that my best isn't good enough

Babs

[texastaz]

I should have been given more information about the residents I'm caring for.

I have three residents on my hall who are total care and I have to ask for assistance in transferring them. It seems like the other DCA's/CNA's resent my requests for assistance.

/quote]

This is typical not having been given more information about residents. Sometimes I think the regular staff are just so use to everything that they don't think twice about things that are important pointers for a person who doesn't have their experience or knowlege about the patients. I am sure their resentment may be due to thier lack of understanding exactly where you are at. In any event resentfull or not - never risk the safety of a patient or yourself no matter where you are at with your experience level. Two person assist patients should be identified as such on your assignment sheet or on what ever form of documentation the facility uses(not all CNAs fallow it though). Some CNAs are also just bigger and/or stronger. You will be ok :icon_roll

[V9611]

wow, you haven't started your cna class yet? I am taking a class now. we have about 5-6 weeks of book work, quizes, labs (including body machanics, moving residents, diet training, feeding residents, role playing, taking vitals, CPR, ...etc) then, IF we pass the mid-term exam, ONLY then, are we allowed to work with the residents for Clinicals, BUT... under the supervision of an experienced CNA....the class is a 15 week course. It sounds like you are right, you should have more training. I would feel exactly the same way if i were in your shoes. I hope you can find a good experienced CNA to help you out while you are learning. Keep up the good work though, you will make it through. Good luck....:yeah:

[texastaz]

Well - woop de do with thoose who have different training. You said you like the people you work with. All things difficult and good for you that you like the people you work with. I am jaded and I paid a expensive tuition to become a CNA. My instructors were highly trained professionals. They still did not prepare me fore the real deal. I got through after being cerified with the grace of caring and devoted people. They rightfully should have gotten my tuition money-but the system is the sytem.