Don't know how to cope with it all.........

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2009

Don't stress! No one is expecting you to know everything in the first few days. You're still learning the ins & outs of the place, and that takes time. In a couple of months you'll be just as fast as the others. But I must ask, was the CNA you were working with cutting corners? Not that I'm implying that all people who work fast cut corners b/c you can work quickly without cutting corners.

CNAmonica65 · Sep 6, 2009

20 patients yourself??? That's way too many for 1 person

CaitlinLiz · Sep 6, 2009

The first thing that stood out to me in your message was that you have 20 patients per person. That is definately way to many *to be able to care for them all correctly*. Yes, you can care for them all... but not appropriately. I'm so sorry that your trainer is being so gross about the situation. I have to say, all of my orientations have been like that. They have never trained me correctly at a long-term care facility. But I also have to say, I didn't expect more from them to be honest. The people that trained me acted as if I was a huge inconvenience, they did not teach me anything about the facility except that the CNA's didn't clean the residents half the time and told them they smelled to their faces. I have had some pretty bad experiences and I empathize with you on that note. I would say look for someone that seems to like what they do (maybe none of them do, but maybe find the one that is the nicest.) And just ask for pointers. When you are confused about something just ask. If they get mad, they shouldn't be in that profession, because you don't come into a job knowing everything, everyone was a beginner at some point! Take a deep breathe, I promise it WILL get better after some time!

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Sep 6, 2009

It sounds like you work in a hospital- I've never worked in one, but I can give you advice from my LTC/Rehab perspective. In rehab we pass out linens, refill the water pitchers, then do vitals, then do walks. If we have time after that, we stock supplies- if not, that gets done at the end of the night. We usually make a list of notes from the nurse and the previous shift of anything extra we need to know or do. Then we pass and pick up all the meal trays. After that we start helping people get ready for bed. What I like to do is ask what time they'd like to aim for when I pick up their supper trays and make a note of it on our paper. Then I usually set up a couple rooms (there are 2 people/room), tell them do what they can and put on their light when they're done or if they need help and I'll be back to clean up. I usually set people up who are at the same end of the hall so I'm close by when their light comes on. The call lights are usually "I need you to walk me to the bathroom or back to bed" "I am ready for bed" and "I need ice for my hip." If someone wants to go to the bathroom I usually suggest they get ready for bed at the same time. If they want ice I put that off because they probably don't feel like moving around just yet. Sometimes it helps to follow a certain distance behind the nurse so you're coming around in time for their pain meds to kick in.

You probably need to move more quickly. New people always move at a pace that's comfortable to them, which is a lot slower than what they need to be doing! Keep reminding yourself to pick up the pace, whether it's walking down the hallway more quickly or making a bed at lightning speed. You said you were taking too long to pass meal trays- so do it faster. If someone doesn't need you to break down the tray then don't do it. Don't stand there and hesitate over what tray to pick up next (I used to do this). They all need to be passed out and it has to be done relatively quickly so just grab one and go! As you take more vitals you'll learn how to do those quickly too. I have seen new CNAs take the BP, then the temp, then the pulse, etc. instead of doing them all at once (tip: leave the thermometer in their mouth as you count the pulse and respirations so they can't talk and mess up the respirations). Most of the time the room can be cleaned up while you're in there doing something else. Where I work we only have a couple showers a night and the rest get partial bed baths. Most of them can wash their own face and hands, so I give them a cloth and do everything else while they do that. If they can do most of their own self-care, then I set them up with the basin and they do everything whole I buzz around cleaning their room.

Watch the CNA that's training you and copy her routine- What time does she do certain things, in what order, and why? You'll get the hang of it; don't worry. It just takes time to get into the swing of things.

MossyOakGirl · Sep 6, 2009

Thanks to all with the advice. I am taking ALL I can get. Yes I work in a hospital. My floor (Pulmonary) has 42 rooms, each CNA splits them 1-21 on one side and 22-42 on the other side. The CNA that is training has been doing this for two years, and I really don't think she is cutting corners! And I do also do respiration's while the them. is in the mouth.. I learned that trick on my own, and the CNA training me asked, "Don't you hear the beeping with the temp is done?" I told her yea, but that is my way of counting respiration's. So she understood that. And I do it ALL at one time.. we have these care mobiles we have to carry..like small computers that we scan the patients arm band with and type in all their vitals and ADLs in... that is TIME CONSUMING!! But getting use to it! I thought I was moving more quickly!! But probably not.. I am the type to stop and talk to my patients.. it makes them feel better! I was told NOT TO TALK TO THEM MUCH! But that doesn't seem fair in my eyes! But I sure hope I pick things up better this coming week. I am working 12 hr shifts wed, thurs, and fri again so I sure hope everything goes well and I don't mess up or freak out again!

mixbabiboo · Sep 7, 2009

Hey. I have been a CNA for a year and a half. If you are having trouble with the person who is training you, you need to speak with who ever hired you. Your training days at work may seem over whelming but i promise you will get so use to it that you can do everything with your eyes closed twice and leave on time. I know i felt over whelmed too. And you should not have 20 patients to your self. I know in Virginia it is against the law to be responsible for that many patients. And if no one wants to help you pass out trays, teach them a lesson. Pass for your assignment and push the cart to theirs. If that doesn't help, talk to your nurse. Chances are she will be able to help you with your situation. And you shouldnt give everyone a bath or shower everyday. it breaks their skin down and dries them up. Partial bed baths every day.... include under arms, face, chest, and peri area... not in that order though lol. Stick with it, i promise it will get better.

Circejane · Sep 7, 2009

Have you been told that you should have all your trays passed within 10 to 15 minutes? If so, I would point out to whomever necessary that this gives you approximately 30 to 45 seconds per patient, from taking the tray from the cart to getting back to the cart. If they need no help and nothing extra, are already in the proper position, and you can just drop the tray and go, that's doable. Otherwise that's not really feasible.

sonomala · Sep 7, 2009

I'm sorry your having such a rough time. Something that stood out was you said you had to empty sharps containers? Thats a new one for me, anyone else have to do that?

mizfradd, CNA · Sep 7, 2009

Maybe what she really meant to say is she carries the sharps to the hazardous waste room?

MossyOakGirl · Sep 7, 2009

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I did mean that I carry them to the "Bio Room/Soiled Utility Room". I think I was just really overwhelmed and still very nervous about all of this! Still a bit nervous about going back Wednesday! I guess partly because I was embarrassed Friday for messin up and partly the gut feeling of wanting to continue down this path or not. I have been wanting to be a nurse for a while, now wondering if I really want to! I am going to continue orientation for the next two to three weeks or so, hoping it gets better! LOL

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Sep 8, 2009

You said in the OP you had 42 trays to pass, then that you had 15 min to do it...someone needs to do the math.