First day of cna and it’s rough

Carpelibrum · Jun 19, 2019

I was nervous when I started my CNA job last year. It was my first time with hands on a patient. You will be just fine I think it takes a good month to get the hang of things. My main advise is Do Not forget to the lower the bed! Seriously the one time you forget your resident will fall. Good luck you'll be fine!

Orion81RN · Jun 20, 2019

Eyeroll to the nurse who asked you how long you wash your hands for. Seriously? I'd bet that was intentional to set you up. Unless you guys were doing a review on basics. I just can't imagine working the floor, being introduced to a new CNA, and asking that question. I'm too busy for that and have way bigger priorities.

Good luck. You'll get a routine down. You'll gradually get quicker. You'll pick up on tips and tricks for time and efficiency. Focus on safety first, then speed. Good tip above about remembering to lower the bed!

Helpmelol · Jun 20, 2019

So I’m on the my second day orientation. I’m a new grad cna. One of the LVNs wanted me to go out on the floor by myself while on orientation. I never had experience working these patients. Idk how things work. I’m still lost even after my first day. So they assigned me to this other cna in a different station luckily cuz I can’t go out by myself yet. I don’t feel comfortable. We have the hardest patients ever. Ones where you need two people and a hoyer lift and this other person who needs assistance. This one lady is too heavy for me and I almost dropped and I told her to just sit down until I get help. so I asked a charge nurse to help me because know one is around. So she paiged someone and no body came for a while. Then finally the cna that I was supposed to follow her fianlly comes and she handled it like a piece of cake. Another this lady slapped me because I called her ma’am and she kept saying she wanted to die and that I’m hurting her but I’m not even touching her. Making me feel like *** telling me I’m not a good cna. Ugh I don’t know if I can handle this cna job. Idk if I can do it. Should I quit? Should I ask for more time for orientation. They already want me to be on the floor by myself. Either this place sucks to learn or I’m just being a sissy. I’m crying during break. I just feel like quitting.

Sumdaymurse · Jun 20, 2019

Breath.

Are you working in a long term care facility? Those are not fun. Apply at a hospital, its a totally different pace. They should be giving you more time if you don't feel ready and if you've vocalized that. Hospitals hire new grads. I was hired on a medsurg/tele unit with no experience. Prior to that, I thought that the nursing home was the end all be all for CNA's. I've also been requested for interviews in ER's as a tech. Again with no experience. Its ultimately up to you if you want to quit. I almost died when I worked at the nursing home..it was too much. But I do think you learn a lot there. The hospital on the other hand is a piece of cake IMO.

FutureRN111 · Jun 24, 2019

Unfortunately if you are working in a nursing home be prepared for everything to hit you at once. Before I say this I am in no way saying this about every nurse but you will come across the ones who have the "eat their young" attitude and the ones who feel like since they hold a higher title they won't help you even if it's a simple transfer or a pull up. All in all, you need to have a strong back bone to be a CNA in any type of facility. You will be used and abused. I am currently a CNA right now and I orientated for only 2 days and was asked to pick up a shift already, it's just going to be how it is in a nursing home they are short staffed all the time and will try to push you on the floor asap but express yourself if you don't feel ready to be alone. Always finish your charting, do your vitals, do your rounds and you should be good. Most importantly take no shizz from ANYONE.

Helpmelol · Jun 24, 2019

Today I’m going to start my first NOC shift. I only get one more orientation so this will be my third. I’m super nervous because Thursday in the morning was way overwhelming and I shut down and was too over it to ask questions. I hope tonight goes well for me. I had no idea being a CNA was going to be sooo stressful ? Btw I work in a nursing home. Wish me luck. I’m going to give it my all. I’m just scared I’ll shut down again but I don’t want too.

FutureRN111 · Jun 24, 2019

You should be fine, NOC shift has a lot of down time but don’t forget to do your rounds. Good luck!

Helpmelol · Jun 24, 2019

I have a question. Do I still change residents if they aren’t wet? Just leave them until the next round?

FutureRN111 · Jun 25, 2019

I always do if it’s just middle rounds. I always change first and last no matter what. And here’s a tip if you are staying on NOC. I know NOC shift people like to write on the briefs what day and time they changed it because AM likes to complain A LOT. Had that happen to me one day, came in and checked a brief that was dry but was not even bothered to be changed since the noc shift, so AM didn’t even bother touching her (i am PM shift) I think it’s best if you do.

Helpmelol · Jun 25, 2019

Thank you for responding!!! I have one more question when you check to see if someone is wet do you have to wake them up?

FutureRN111 · Jun 25, 2019

yes I do it can cause a bad reaction if you don’t. if you don’t they might wake up and start swinging at you thinking you’re going to do something bad to them