Feeling like I'm a bad CNA constantly...

[OpinionatedCNA, CNA]

I have been a CNA for around a month now, I'm at my first job as a CNA and it's also my first job in general. I work weekend days and a month in I still feel like I'm a terrible CNA. I am still late bringing residents to breakfast and I get confused knowing which ones actually get up to go to the dining room versus which ones just get a room tray (and it is really confusing because I only work on weekends so the residents schedules can change during the week).

Anyway I feel really bad right now because I accidentally left a resident in a soiled bed and I didn't find out until her daughter came in and started yelling at me for it. I asked the resident at the beginning of my shift if she wanted to get up after breakfast or get dressed at all today and she said no, she wanted to stay in bed in her pajamas and relax. I asked her if she needed her briefs changed and she said they were still clean. So I left her with her callbell, etc. I checked up on her later a few times to bring her meals and some other times (I was in the room a lot because I gave her roommate a shower even though we usually don't do showers on sundays because she was unhappy with her shower schedule) and she seemed okay and said she wanted to be left alone, I'm like okay that's cool. Her daughter came to visit her a few hours later and her brief and bed protector was soaking and dirty, and I feel really bad for taking the residents word that she was clean and not physically checking her diaper but she seemed like her was with-it mentally even though she was really not. I ended up giving her a shower and then cleaning her bed but her daughter was still really angry and I'm probably going to be fired, but by now it would be a relief to never have to go back to the nursing home. Idk I just feel bad because I didn't realize that she needed more care than I gave her.

This thread is mostly to vent but also, how do people do these jobs it seems so easy to make a mistake and then you're fired, I try so hard to be a good CNA but I'm probably going to be fired for elder abuse, and if I'm fired for that no one else will hire me as a CNA. I only make 50 cents more per hour than my friend working at mcdonalds and some days I fantasize about quitting and working there, at least I can't **** up flpping burger and it would be way less stressful.

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

I have made many mistakes working as a nursing home aide. Once, I was working down a hallway I rarely worked down and so I was behind. I got to one patient finally and his entire bed was soaked. I felt so bad, thank God a nurse noticed and was an angel. She cleaned up the patient and their bed for me before telling me that he was soaked.

I have had times where I took a resident's word because I thought they were with it. I learned, I'm assuming you learned. Don't do it. You only work weekend days and you said you've only been working for a month. It takes a while to get used to everyone's routine. I would come in for days on an unfamiliar hallway, when I usually worked evenings, and I had to ask other aides and nurses "okay who gets up now, who sleeps in, etc." it's okay. Don't give up this soon, and don't beat yourself up so hard.

Good luck!

[Psychcns]

Keep trying, don't beat yourself up. Keep asking questions-here-or there may be someone trustworthy at your job to mentor you! A month is a short time to learn a job.

[VicChic20]

It may feel too stressful and frustrating right now,because you're pretty brand new and just haven't gotten your feet all wet yet. You'll start getting used to the expectations of what residents need and their routines, it takes time. Just remember to always refer back their Care Plan if you're stuck and need assistance with how they get cared for. And always stay on top of the toileting/ incontinence care, that's very important. Even if they state they don't need to be changed , check anyway because some aren't with it. Hang in there and good luck.

[OpinionatedCNA, CNA]

Just remember to always refer back their Care Plan if you're stuck and need assistance with how they get cared for.

This is one of the things that bugs me though, there is no plan of care that's accessible to the CNAs. The only way I've been keeping up with how to transfer/care for residents is by asking one of the CNAs with more experience or by having the resident tell me themselves. I don't bother to ask the nurses anymore because I asked one once and she said that it's something the "CNAs just know." Like I'm sorry I'm not a mindreader because I don't just know anything. I'm just really worried now that if I get fired no one will hire me again as a CNA.

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

You are new and only work weekends. It takes time to feel comfortable in your role. With the resident you mention about being soiled, I would check her pad anyway every couple of hours. Maybe even get a new pad that allows for some freshness.

There has to be a care plan somewhere. If you are on computer charting, I am sure that there is a place where you can find the care plan on their chart. If not, look around and see if there is a notebook with them in it.

Something you can do is to write down a time table of when things need to be done. This way, you can see in black and white what needs to be done and it will help you prioritize your time. Let a more experienced nurse give input in what you write down too.

Good luck and keep striving to do better. For me, helping someone get about their daily lives seems more rewarding to me that fast food jobs.

[fashionablylayt]

I completely understand and sincerely hope you do not get fired for a misunderstanding.

At my LTC facility we had a book in the nurses station purely for communication between management/nurses desires for each patients care. Not all facilities have this, but you might speak to your DON about where/how to find this information. I honestly don't think you should be fired, however always ask the charge nurse on duty for your hall and if they are zero help (not uncommon) ask a fellow CNA. This will also help you get along well with your co-workers as to not mess up their "flow". I only worked for 3 months before having to relocate for my husbands job, but trust me when I say questions may seem like a burden to other workers but in the end the good ones will appreciate your willingness to learn. YOU ARE NOT A BAD CNA! A month is not enough time to learn the ways of your hall, give it time. Do not be afraid to explain the lack of necessary information to care for your residents. But again I will caution you, always be competent in who you are asking if something is 'okay'. Residents can and will lie to get what they want, including to be left alone. They have rights but it is also our job to guard their health as best we can which is why sheets need to be dry, wrinkle-free, as do their briefs.

Chin up fellow CNA! Do not be discouraged, simply think on your toes and give it some time.