Feeling unprepared

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Dec 30, 2009

You are NOT prepared. No one is. At the very least, this facility should give you a few days of training and shadowing someone. Once you're on your own you are going to suck for a while but it gets better. Don't expect to be perfect right away. Even the CNAs that get impatient with you for being slow didn't start off the way they are now. Remember that because not everybody is patient with newcomers. Your jitters are normal. Over time you'll get to know the place and one day you'll realize that you're comfortable there.

canigraduate · Dec 30, 2009

When I started as a CNA, I had a hard time adjusting. It felt like I took forever to do simple things. I also felt like none of the things I learned in CNA class even applied to my job. However, with practice I improved considerably and learned a lot in just a couple of weeks. Now, several months later, I'm actually GOOD at my job.

Don't worry!! Even though it seems hard at first, you will catch on quickly and your workdays will get better as your skills improve.

As far as training goes, my facility had me work with a more experienced CNA who showed me the ropes for about 10 shifts. That was a really valuable experience. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help and suggestions. I have learned a lot by observing more experienced CNAs and by asking how they handle certain situations.

Good luck!

eveningsky339, LPN · Dec 30, 2009

It's entirely normal to feel unprepared. Even if CNA's had 2,000 hours of classroom instruction/labs and 300 hours of clinicals, we would still feel unprepared! I'm only about halfway through my course, and this coming Saturday we will be feeding residents for the first time. Even though we were given hands-on instruction by a speech pathologist and have a working knowledge of the anatomy of the mouth, we're all nervous wrecks.

But, remember that being a good CNA all boils down to only a few things: making sure the patient is comfortable, using universal precautions to prevent the spread of disease, and having a big heart. :redbeathe

Go to a facility and ask if you can shadow one of their CNA's just to get a feel for things. You will do fine.

thanrye8710 · Dec 31, 2009

I worked as a CNA before... And I was assigned to train/orient new CNA employees... You have nothing to worry... You will be ORIENTED to the facility and the job. In the facility where I worked before, all new CNAs are given 10 days of orientation. 3 days of which will be on paperworks and different polices, rules, rights, etc... and the remaining 7 days is "exposure to the world of CNAs". :-) you will shadow a Senior CNA or someone who is very good at doing their job. 2 days for moRning shift, 2 days for afternoon, 2 days for nights and another 1 day for the shift where you will be assigned. Hopefully, those who will be assigned to orrient and train you will teach all the things you need to know and do rightly. Don't hesitate to ask questions. And remember, REAL WORLD IS DIFFERENT FROM BY THE BOOK. There are things are practiced differently in real world from that what is said on the book. Just do your best and always consider your patient's safety and you will be fine. Good luck...

littleone49 · Dec 31, 2009

Totally normail :) when I took my CNA course we only had one resident and had 4 clinical days. That will not prepare you at all, especially when they give you one assist residents.

When I got hired I had 10 orientation days. The first couple dadys they just had me follow another CNA who did everything but talked through everything they did. The other days the CNA watched what I did. I still felt really slow when I was finally on my own but gradually I got a routine down. Now I love training new CNA's.

Good luck to you :)