Experiences during clinicals?

[niki_lynn]

I'm a 17 year old senior in high school and I'm on my second year at the vo-tech center for health occupations (CNA class). I've been doing extremely well in the class, I passed it with a 100 the first year and i currently have a 100 now! All the medical knowledge and skills are second nature to me. We start clinicals in 2 weeks and I'm super nervous! The nursing home we will be doing our training at has the reputation for being the worst in the area. Former students have even said that the staff there just doesn't seem to care about their patients. Just a side note, I have a ton of respect for the elderly. My grandmother raised me and I never met either of my grandfathers, so I would treat the resident as if they were my own grandmother/grandfather. If I see ANYONE in that nursing home abuse any of the residents in the slightest way, I'm not going to just sit there and let it go on. I'll surely report it to MY NURSING INSTRUCTOR (not anyone working there) and I will see to it that it gets taken care of. My best friend's great grandfather is a resident there and he has been stolen from on several occasions. I will be sure to keep an eye on him as well. I was wondering if anybody has had a similar experience or had anything strange/funny/sad happen at clinicals? I'd love to hear your stories!

Also, if any of you are currently in a different field after being a CNA, what did you decide to go into? I'm considering either physician assisting or medical technology. Perhaps my experiences at clinicals will help me decide whether I want to be a clinician or work in a lab. Thanks!!! :)

[newgirlcalifornia]

I just finished my clinicals last week. My clinicals were at a 2 "star" skilled nursing facility out of 5. You will be in for a wide range of experiences. There will be residents there who are sweet and nice and will remind you of your grandparent. There will be residents there who can't stand being there and will treat you horribly no matter what you do. Hopefully your instructor prepared you a little for that. Just remember each resident is different, and if you encounter a rough experience with a resident, don't hold it against them the next time you have to assist them. During the 5 weeks we were there, I had more good experiences than bad. Hearing funny sayings, helping someone get something they need, even just helping someone to the commode and having them say oh thank you is very rewarding. I was also cussed out, spat at, and once even groped, but fortunately those things didn't happen very often, and it was usually the same few people so I was prepared for it. I did not see outright abuse in my facility like you are mentioning above. I would also mention that it is probable that most the staff at the facility does care about the residents. The place we were at had an extremely toxic work environment (short staffed, lots of pointing fingers) but I could surely say that each healthcare worker did care about the residents. You may find as much as it should just be about providing the best care possible for each resident, there's a lot of b.s. detracting from that. Overall I learned a ton, just be open minded and know you are there to learn. Good luck with your clinicals - hope you enjoy the experience!

[leo8686]

Everywhere is different. Just remember the enviroment is a relfection of UPPER MANAGEMENT. Just hang in there during your clinicals. Be happy you wont have to work there. As a CNA you will experience poop,pee,diapers,emisis,poop..poop...poop....poop

[jjic3982]

Hey nikilynn,

Some clinicals can be a great experience depending on your site. Mine was a four star nursing home; however, it was similar to what you have been hearing. For us, our instructor told us to expect the CNA's not do things by the book. However there are many who do care for the residents although they are not perfect. The most difficult, yet not bad at all experience for me was a violent resident, heavy resident, and dealing with smell.

Wish you all the best and just go in with a positive attitude and try your best. Hope you have a friend in your class who you can rely on to work together. I didn't, but it was alright anyways.

I'm taking my exam next Thursday so WISH ME THE BEST!!!!!!