First cna job...no experience!

havehope · Sep 28, 2013

Well first off, thank you for getting your CNA before your RN. I had a nursing student with me the other day and she made a bed, well she put the sheets inside out, poor thing. I, too am a CNA and is currently going back for my RN. My first CNA job was in a ltc/rehab facility. I was good at it, but I just felt I never had time to spend with my residents because the staffing is so horrible at nursing homes. Therefore, I went to a hospital and I love it. You learn so much and I typically have 6-8 patients and half can do their own baths, etc.(coming in for chest pain,etc.) and you will have a couple that are total care and some that are assist. I love having the variety. Anyway…when I started working as a CNA at the nursing home I would come home crying because, I was like you. I wanted everything perfect. However, it took maybe 3 months and I was able to have good time management, mange my priorities(example-someone needs to go to the bathroom and someone that wants to get in bed. Of course, go to the bathroom one because if you don't get there fast enough you will be cleaning it up anyway.) Good luck to you. It will come with time, trust me. :-). This job at times are extremely hard, but it makes it all worth it when you have that one patient that gives you the biggest hug and thanks you for the good care you provided.

mstearns09 · Sep 29, 2013

I was like you when I first started and still am to some extent. It does come with time and effort. I learned that you have to prioritize and plan ahead as much as possible. Make things easy on yourself if you can by having things set out and ready beforehand. And always do what you can to cover your backside should something come up. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself should you need to because there won't always be someone there to do it for you. I wish I had worked with more people like you when I worked LTC. I start at my local hospital on Monday. I quit LTC for many reasons but one of them was lack of integrity and work ethic.

Dreaming4acute87 · Sep 29, 2013

You seem like you are going to make a great CNA. I never worked as one but worked in LTC as an RN for three years and watched from the side lines. Unfortunately no matter what the CNA's seemed to "scold" the orientee. It could of been my facility but young, sweet CNA's were bullied just because. I have my own theories in my head why the older CNA's seemed so rough, but that is for another topic. The fact that you CARE that your patient may get a pressure ulcer probably means they wont! Continue to care, stand up for yourself, and get close with the nurses. Good luck!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Sep 29, 2013

Here are some tips that will help you learn the ropes of being a CNA:

Get report: get report from your fellow CNAs as well as your med nurses and the nursing supervisor. You are going to be the eyes and ears of most of your residents care; and you will learn their nuances, and will be working closely with the families.

Take care of your body and utilize proper body mechanics at all times. As long as you utilize protocol correctly all the time, you will be ok.

Also, start to develop a more assertive take on the care of the residents and the care that you will be given; if you don't know, and someone decides to "shout" at you, reply "if you don't mind SHOW ME, instead to TELL ME." I've used this for the many years I have been in healthcare (5 CNA, 7 LPN, 1 RN)...it has continued to work beautifully.

You will be fine. :)

MsKris_CarolinaGirl · Sep 29, 2013

Well first off congrats on your new job. I was a new CNA with my first CNA job at a skilled nursing facility. My first night I shadowed another CNA and my second night I was basically thrown to the wolves. 21 patients to my self. I was working 11p-7a. It was tough but I do know that I am a much stronger CNA because of it. I have been doing this for about 8 months now and i have worked all 3 shifts and even had my schedule changed so that i can permanently work 3-11 because i love working with my residents while they're awake. They keep me on my toes lol.

My ways for time managament came from this:

1: while i can understand the need for perfection please know that not everything will happen perfectly and not everybody is going to get changed every 2 hours and so on and so forth. You will have falls, you will have needy families, and sometimes other CNA's will be too busy to help you with that 350lb patient that needs to be turned and their brief changed.

2: Get to know your residents. Learn their likes and dislikes which basically comes from listening to them when they complain the first time. Have some inkling as into why they are even a patient where ever it is that you are. This helps with managing pain because the less pain you cause them the less they tend to complain.

3: If you need help let your patient know that and then make sure you leave them in safe conditions before you go look for help. While i know this may seem like common sense to some people it is not. Everyone will not be willing to help you always so know this ahead of time and if its taking you longer than expected go back and let your patient know that. Otherwise they will stay on that call bell all night long.

4: CYA....ALWAYS COVER YOUR OWN A$$. It is a necessity always. Documentation is everything and while i know sometimes this is not an option try doing it right after you've interacted with a patient or try to remember a time frame so that you can go back and document later. Remember if you didn't document it, it didnt happen. Sometimes documenting your patient may be the very thing that helps you from getting suspended or worse fired.

As far as your coworkers go. Dont worry about what they think about your work. Do your job to the best of your knowledge and ability. People are always going to find a reason not to like you. Dont worry about that you will be a wonderful CNA. Good Luck with your new job and i wish you all the best.

cna_23 · Jan 30, 2014

Hi Emily. Congratulations on getting certified.i just got mine in December and I have my first interview tomorrow at the hospital which I am so nervous about. I don't know if they are going to be brief or in depth with the interview. I applied for three different shifts and they called me for the 11-7 (figures right) but I don't mind being that I feel it will be a little slower than the days so it will give me a chance to grasp everything. Are you still working in the nursing home is it? Does anyone know about the physicals. Does the hospital give there own physicals or do you have to get it. I have an updated physical Now when they called they didn't mention anything. All they said was to bring two professional references (not even letters) and all of my original certifications cna cpr hha etc etc. I started off as an hha and am working my way up the ladder. I eventually would like to be a CRNA when I am done with everything. Anesthetics is my goal. I don't know I'm so excited to even get the opportunity to work in a hospital because I thought that I would have to beg my way into a nursing home, gain experience, then apply for the hospital but I was shocked when they called me. The position is full time float pool med/surg which I believe I am going to be bounced around a lot ( if I get hired of course) oh and she did mention that I will be seeing the head nurse after the interview so I'm thinking it's not that extreme if they are already making plans to see the nurse. It seemed intimidating when I learned what it was but it's full time and I don't care as long as I can get it I can work on changing to evenings or a (home) unit. I can overthink things sometimes but this is definitely a life changer for me and my family. Well I wish the best for all of you out there in the medical field. Good luck and thanks for any advice.

Nurseeverywhere, CNA, LVN · Jan 31, 2014

From everything I have been reading these are reasonable fears we have days new CNAs. I have just started and so far I want to come home crying and have only been on my own three times. I hope to get faster with time but right now I am just scared and have the same fears as you. What keeps me going is that I love to help people and that one day I will look back and say it was worth it. Keep your up and do your best. Find yourself helpful coworkers and offer to tag team things whenever possible. Also take a note pad and keep track of outputs and stuff so you won't forget while charting, it makes it easier.