First Day on the floor by myself = Horrible

Published

Just started in LTC...

Sooo my first day on the floor by myself today and I seriously almost walked out because I was getting NO help from my co workers!!!

I'm on the evening shift with 13 patients by myself just thrown into it with only 2 days orientation----this being my FIRST CNA job I didn't feel that was enough so I asked for more days only to be told that NO, it wasn't possible!!

SO as I'm thrown into it with no help I start asking the other CNAs lots of questions but they tell me "NO, I'm not helping you with that hoyer lift" Or "NO, I'm too busy to help you transfer the patient" or "Just make it up"(when asking about what to put on a pt's chart) Meanwhile I am trying to keep up with the call lights, figure out what pt's need to get up and which ones stay in bed for dinner because I have NO IDEA! So then SOMEONE goes and complains about me to my boss who confronts me in the middle of changing a diaper and asks if I am going to be able to "handle" the job... (The same boss that told me I couldn't have more orientation) and I told her that I was doing my best but I needed some help and she assured me that someone would help me but no!!! no one comes to help me!! I have to go all the way to a different floor and walk all the way across the facility to ask the ONLY nice CNA that answers any of my questions!!

I don't know if this is normal to feel like this on my first night but it was soo overwhelming!! Everyone else seems to have a routine down for taking care of their patients but how am I supposed to get it down if no one will tell me the little details about the patients?? Is there never any team work amongst the CNA's?? It seemed so much easier to team up with another CNA and get all of your patients taken care of TOGETHER and faster but no one was willing to!! They would just leave me in the dust whenever I would ask a question and blow me off like I wasn't even there!

Sorry for the rant..you can prob tell I just got home from work! Its just really frustrating when I am trying to provide the best care I can to the patient's and figure out what each one likes when I get no help! I mean no one cared that this was literally the first day on the floor as a CNA and the only reason I came to work when she told me I couldn't have any orientation was because she assured me that the other CNA's and team leader that didn't have any patients would help me!

What Do I DO??????????

Is it best to stick it out and suffer or try to find a different facility or are the all the same??

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A lot of those things wouldn't happen at my ltc. When we do lifts, we have to have a second person or get wrote up. Your boss shouldn't have that convo with you in front of a resident at all. You could explain that with more orientation you could handle the job. You don't even know the residents yet.

There is teamwork in CNA work. At least where I work, there is and on my shift. I work 3rds and we're so short staffed, we have to work together or the job wouldn't get done. You could see if switching shifts, if you are able, could help. Or it could be the staff and the place. At my job, we had about a month of orientation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry you had such a terrible first night. It's always the hardest one. Things will get better.

I've been through it, too. It sucked. While you really want to be nice to your coworkers, remember they are your COWORKERS, not your best buds. DEMAND their help. Go up to them and tell them that you need help with so-and-so and refuse to leave until you get it. Tell them you will be a witch if they make you one.

Do whatever you can to get the residents ready BEFORE you ask for help. Go get their brief changed, clothes on, sling under them, and get the lift nearby, then ask for help. Be sure to let your coworkers know that you have everything done except for the transfer itself. It may just make them a little more willing to help (maybe).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow, I know that starting a new job can be hard and stressful, but think about the way things will be after you have been there for awhile. Do you really want to be around these people all the time, and work for a boss that offers you no support. If I were you and it was an option I would keep working there but start looking for a different place for the long term.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I am very sorry that you had such a horrible debut. Not every facility is like that, but I must admit there are many facilities like that out there. I was on the same boat when I started working on the floor on my own as a brand new CNA. I also had only three days for training, and couldn't get much help from other CNAs, LPNs and RNs. I also thought of looking for somewhere else. Three months from my debut, I still hand in there. Things get better once you know your patients, but it is still frustrating when I cannot get help for something I can't or shouldn't do on my own. Transferring a patient with a hoyer lift? Yes, technically I can do it by myself, but what about the patient's safety? There are many CNAs who doesn't care much about it so they refuse to help you out.

My suggestion is, if you are going to stay at the current place, be friends with at least another CNA. Other CNAs still don't know you. As they get to know you more, they are likely to help you out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

My honest suggestion is if you can afford to do it hand over your resignation as of immediately.

You got to keep yourself and your clients safe. Two days of orientation for a new CNA isn't safe. I'd also make a couple of anonymous complaints to the state.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

^^ Yea really!

At a hospital like... for example Rose Medical in Colorado Orientation is 4 weeks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do they go through alot of CNA's? I bet they can't keep a good employee in that place and wonder why everyone has attitudes. Go figure. Keep your chin up. They are lucky to have you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC/Rehab.

I'm sorry you experienced such a horrible day. I really don't understand the motive of being so negative and uncooperative in the workplace. I'd continue to work at the facility to gain experience, but at the same time, I'd be looking for employment elsewhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for all of your advice/support!

I don't know what to do next... so far I haven't worked another shift because they cut my last one because they are low on census.... so today I am going in for a few hours of my OWN time to ask some questions of one of the CNAs that helped me a lot and then I have my next shift by myself tomorrow...

I will probably be looking for a new job while I am trying to stick with my current job because I don't want to just give up but its hard when I dread going into work every day :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.
Thank you for all of your advice/support!

I don't know what to do next... so far I haven't worked another shift because they cut my last one because they are low on census.... so today I am going in for a few hours of my OWN time to ask some questions of one of the CNAs that helped me a lot and then I have my next shift by myself tomorrow...

I will probably be looking for a new job while I am trying to stick with my current job because I don't want to just give up but its hard when I dread going into work every day :(

Maybe you could look for a PRN position at a home health agency until you can find something more permanent..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion