Experience as a home health aide

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Specializes in School.

Hi everyone!

So here is a bit of my background. I am currently taking pre-reqs for nursing school and work as a home health aide. I was EXTREMELY nervous about being up close and personal with people, and having the confidence and skills to take care of patients. My experience being a home health aide has really helped me a lot, I don't exactly enjoy my job because I work a lot for a client that is really tough to work with, and she can be mentally exhausting. She can be very mean and belittling, especially because of the onset of Dementia. There have been times working with her that have just made me wanted to just about cry and think I cannot be a nurse. (I tend to be really sensitive about things, and felt totally thrown into this experience--boss hired me with no experience and gave me ZERO training, plus I am somewhat shy/timid) I've had a lot of anxiety over the whole nursing thing, because I struggled with having the confidence to do some things like changing my clients, because they can be very difficult. I definitely would go home beating myself up over things I should have done better, but this is my first experience with this type of work and I'm sure a lot of people have felt this way. But, as time has gone on, I am slowly getting a lot better at these things and coming out of my shell. My other client tries just about anything in his power not to be changed (He even does this with his wife- can ya blame him though?) and I struggled a lot at first, I felt like I could never become a nurse because I couldn't even change this client and was afraid I lacked the confidence/people skills. But I finally figured out a technique that worked when I changed him! I felt a HUGE sense of relief and I feel way more confident about the whole nursing thing. Other things have come pretty naturally to me, and have felt really rewarding, especially feeling like I am putting them at ease is a great feeling when they respond well. Overall, I know that I am going to be faced with a lot of challenges in nursing school, but just something as simple as being able to change this client made me feel so much more confident and helpful.

Sorry for this being so long winded, basically I was wondering if anyone else struggled with confidence/people skills, maybe felt a little too sensitive about tough pts/clients but have worked through it?

My next goal is to get CNA certified. I am looking forward to being in a nursing home setting and hoping to get used to all the gross stuff, along with improving my people skills, but also nervous about it. But that one little achievement with my client has made me feel like I am more capable than I thought.

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Please share the technique for the client refusing brief changes!

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Specializes in School.

Idk about anyone else but the whole "client refusing brief changes" really stressed me out because I was afraid of bein negligent but I was also nervous because I knew I wasn't being pushy enough with these clients, as I literally walked into this whole thing BLIND. And with the technique, I kind of would grab a book and start talking about it and it would distract him enough where I could put on his briefs and remove the old ones quickly do he didn't feel do "naked" if that makes sense. But the book thing was the ticket!

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Thank you for the tip.

Regarding the confidence/people skills/sensitivity question, I think this comes with time and experience. I have been doing home care with an agency since June and I always make a point of spending time with my relief person. I usually volunteer to help them with a task like bed bath. This gives me the opportunity to help and observe techniques with cares. I learn a lot from these folks and it helps them start their shift. It's like continuing education. I am a CNA.

The sensitivity issue usually arises when a client refuses a care. Like you I want them to comply for their benefit and their refusal usually includes grumpiness. These concerns I report to my supervisor, as they could cause problems for the client or may be resulting from a change in condition. It's always best to report to the agency, then let it go. As you know clients have the right to refuse.

You won't regret getting your CNA certification and I bet you have a great experience in school.

Also, good luck in nursing school.

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You sound like a great person and will make an amazing nurse one day I am sure. I think CNA school will help you a great deal because it focuses mainly on completing skills and you will learn how to complete these skills a.k.a. bed bath, peri care, oral care, etc. The amount of attention to detail for each skill takes over the brain and anxiety diminishes for the most part. Sounds like you already are sensitive and good with people, so it will come natural to you in my opinion. Good luck!

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Specializes in School.

So can just say, I'm at work right now and I feel really awful. My client was totally unresponsive and unwilling to do anything today. It took me an hour with him to get a change of sweatpants and I got so far as to get new depends on him but could not get the old ones off. And he has been in them all day. He isn't able to really comprehend what I'm saying so he would grab his sweatpants and say "no no no no! Stop" when I would try to get the depends off. Guys got a strong grip. I couldn't even get him back upstairs to try again later. Plus my boss didn't answer her calls - as you can tell I work for a wonderful agency. Haha. Anyway I totally feel negligent right now

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The doctor, the clients family, your agency-are they all aware of his condition? My agency would be in contact with the family and doctor about his condition. My agency has the doctor refer a home health nurse to the home for assessment. That is my experience.

You are not negligent. He is a difficult client and you are doing your best. We learn from the bad experiences as well as the good. Keep on your agency to address these problems.

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Specializes in School.

Unfortunately, my agency is very lax. I don't believe we are even in contact with the clients doctor. My boss rarely calls me back and I think she sees it as "babysitting." when I went into this clients home all she told me was that he suffered from aphasia. She doesn't really check up on her clients nor her HHAs.

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Hi everyone!

So here is a bit of my background. I am currently taking pre-reqs for nursing school and work as a home health aide. I was EXTREMELY nervous about being up close and personal with people, and having the confidence and skills to take care of patients. My experience being a home health aide has really helped me a lot, I don't exactly enjoy my job because I work a lot for a client that is really tough to work with, and she can be mentally exhausting. She can be very mean and belittling, especially because of the onset of Dementia. There have been times working with her that have just made me wanted to just about cry and think I cannot be a nurse. (I tend to be really sensitive about things, and felt totally thrown into this experience--boss hired me with no experience and gave me ZERO training, plus I am somewhat shy/timid) I've had a lot of anxiety over the whole nursing thing, because I struggled with having the confidence to do some things like changing my clients, because they can be very difficult. I definitely would go home beating myself up over things I should have done better, but this is my first experience with this type of work and I'm sure a lot of people have felt this way. But, as time has gone on, I am slowly getting a lot better at these things and coming out of my shell. My other client tries just about anything in his power not to be changed (He even does this with his wife- can ya blame him though?) and I struggled a lot at first, I felt like I could never become a nurse because I couldn't even change this client and was afraid I lacked the confidence/people skills. But I finally figured out a technique that worked when I changed him! I felt a HUGE sense of relief and I feel way more confident about the whole nursing thing. Other things have come pretty naturally to me, and have felt really rewarding, especially feeling like I am putting them at ease is a great feeling when they respond well. Overall, I know that I am going to be faced with a lot of challenges in nursing school, but just something as simple as being able to change this client made me feel so much more confident and helpful.

Sorry for this being so long winded, basically I was wondering if anyone else struggled with confidence/people skills, maybe felt a little too sensitive about tough pts/clients but have worked through it?

My next goal is to get CNA certified. I am looking forward to being in a nursing home setting and hoping to get used to all the gross stuff, along with improving my people skills, but also nervous about it. But that one little achievement with my client has made me feel like I am more capable than I thought.

I value my personal experience as a care giver before my nursing school; it helps me to deal with clients. All the best for your future CNA and nursing school.

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In CA I believe we have to have our CNA before obtaining an HHA. What state are you in?

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I recently became an HHA too. You sound like you're doing a great job at learning on the job.

Can he understand you at all? I always thank people for being patient with me after a difficult encounter no matter their actual behavior. It seems to soften them up, and from their perspective, they are the reasonable ones.

I'm betting getting your CNA certification will help a lot with your confidence. I wouldn't have wanted to jump into this job without my STNA (Ohio CNA). When I'm feeling down about my skills, I can at least repeat to myself that I aced a 96-hour class and a comprehensive state exam. Therefore... I can do this thing!

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