First day on my own

BBboy · Mar 5, 2016

After a while and getting to know the pts you'll get into a groove.

Missingyou, CNA · Mar 5, 2016

Perfectly normal to be slow and overwhelmed for the first month or so. Don't let your hall partner stress you out when she tells you that you are slow. If she keeps saying it, simply ask her "were you slow on your first few days as a new CNA?"

It takes time to learn a routine and to get to know the residents.

Just remember, Never stand still, not even for a few seconds. There is always something you can be doing. If a resident is sitting on a toilet for several minutes, you can be opening your trash bags, getting the brief unfolded and changed while they are sitting, empty the trash, make notes, etc. If someone is brushing their teeth and it takes several minutes... you can make/turn down a bed, put laundry in bags, get out clean brief for later, reposition another resident in the next room....there is always something you can do while you "wait" to keep things moving.

You might have a few extra minutes at the beginning of the shift. Use those minutes to set up what you can...unfold briefs, lay out outfits for day/night, have extra soaker pads & gowns in rooms with heavy wetters. Always stay a few steps ahead, because you can very easily get behind...

Keep all the "goodies" in your pockets like trash bags, ointments, and whatever else you can fit it there. It saves steps and time so you don't have to search drawers later.

YoungMaleCNA · Mar 6, 2016

Perfectly normal to be slow and overwhelmed for the first month or so. Don't let your hall partner stress you out when she tells you that you are slow. If she keeps saying it, simply ask her "were you slow on your first few days as a new CNA?"
It takes time to learn a routine and to get to know the residents.
Just remember, Never stand still, not even for a few seconds. There is always something you can be doing. If a resident is sitting on a toilet for several minutes, you can be opening your trash bags, getting the brief unfolded and changed while they are sitting, empty the trash, make notes, etc. If someone is brushing their teeth and it takes several minutes... you can make/turn down a bed, put laundry in bags, get out clean brief for later, reposition another resident in the next room....there is always something you can do while you "wait" to keep things moving.
You might have a few extra minutes at the beginning of the shift. Use those minutes to set up what you can...unfold briefs, lay out outfits for day/night, have extra soaker pads & gowns in rooms with heavy wetters. Always stay a few steps ahead, because you can very easily get behind...
Keep all the "goodies" in your pockets like trash bags, ointments, and whatever else you can fit it there. It saves steps and time so you don't have to search drawers later.

Thank you so much