First Impressions of Coworkers

[CoffeemateCNA]

Let's face it -- the way we perceive someone the first time we meet them is likely the way we will continue to perceive them in the future. Like they say, "first impressions are everything." I was just remembering the time I met my first preceptor at my first job when I was a newbie CNA.

Back in those days, I was determined to be Mr. "Joe Professional" and conquer the world. I had overly and unrealistically high expectations of everything and everyone (it's a wonder I made it through that first year :)). Not wanting to miss a beat on my first day, I showed up to the facility about 45 minutes early. And I waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Clocked in.

And waited.

And waited.

My preceptor still hadn't shown up. It was 15 minutes past time for rounds, and I was starting to get pretty ticked. I finally worked up the courage to go ask the charge nurse if she had seen her.

"No, I haven't seen her. Oh, wait. You better go check in dietary."

So I did. While I was making my way to the cafeteria, the double doors burst open and out walks my preceptor. She had a bag of Cheetohs in one scrub pocket, and a bottle of soda in the other. In each hand she held a hot dog with every topping imagineable. As she walked down the hall towards me, she alternated taking a bite from each hot dog.

Then she stuck out her tongue and played with her tongue ring for a second.

And then she belched. LOUDLY.

As she took another bite from her hot dogs, she must have seen the bewildered look on my face. She, with a mouthful of hot dog, mumbled, "Oh, sorry to offend you. You're welcome to go back to the kitchen and get a hot dog for yourself."

It was then that I knew that working in health care would be unlike any experience I had ever had.

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What are your funny stories about coworkers and first impressions??

[justme01]

I arrived early my first day. My coworkers clocked in and then headed to the breakroom to eat and gossip. After sitting on the clock for 15 minutes they headed to the nurses station to receive their assignments. They located the sign in book and then spent 15 minutes arguing over and trading halls. They had now spent 30 minutes on the clock without hitting a lick!

On my previous fast food job I worked six hour shifts with no paid break and no lunch break. I was on my feet the entire six hours. I have a strong work ethic and cannot ride the clock.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

haha that sounds like my trainer... eating, belching, rude and lazy.

[CoffeemateCNA]

This lady was ALWAYS eating.

She always kept an open bag of chips in her scrub pocket; she never even took it out when she went into a room to transfer someone or do peri care. I'm quite surprised nothing ever found its way into one of the bags.

I was just waiting for her to eventually reach into the bag and take a bite and realize it wasn't a Frito she just ate.

[Ev1987]

I remember first introducing myself to a perceptor, and telling her 'Hi, my name is Ev. I've been assigned to work with you today.'

She looked at me...then at her nosey girlfriend, and said "WWHATT?!!"

I knew I was gonna enjoy the experience.

[Ev1987]

She always kept an open bag of chips in her scrub pocket; she never even took it out when she went into a room to transfer someone or do peri care. I'm quite surprised nothing ever found its way into one of the bags. I was just waiting for her to eventually reach into the bag and take a bite and realize it wasn't a Frito she just ate.

Yeah, there's this cna that works the shift before mine, and she always leaves unfinished, open bags of potato chips, cheese puffs and soda in the linen cart. EVERY FREAKIN' SHIFT!!! This woman is GROSS!

[justme01]

Oh, that reminds me. My orientator sat behind the linen cart in a wheelchair and scarfed down two resident trays while I was passing supper trays.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

I hope they weren't pureed! What did those residents eat? Or were they not around?