First time CNA

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Hello, I am a certified nursing assistant and I begin my first cna job tomorrow in a Nursing Home on the subacute care floor. I am very nervous. I will be following around another CNA for three days, is that enough time to get the hang of things? The hiring manager said if I needed more orientation to just let my supervisor know. I just want advice on what I should do/expect as a new CNA.

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A week would be better. Follow one day. Take a few patients the next day and so on

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Your thread has been moved to CNA forum for best response

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Thanks !

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Agreed. A week would be better. Two even more so. Although this depends on what type of patient you will be taking care of. Are their any recent surgical interventions like hip replacements? Are you taught how to move this type of patient? While CNA school does teach you a lot about the particulars, ADLs and such, it does in no way prepare you for real-world working environments. You will likely feel very slow, like you cannot get everything done. You may feel sad, frustrated and even want to cry at times. This all depends on how many residents you are trying to care for, their respective levels of independence, and how helpful your coworkers are.

Don't feel bad if you feel slow -- these feelings tend to disappear after 2-3 weeks and actually getting your own sense of time-management and how to plan your shift's activities. Biggest thing, don't ever be in such a hurry that you leave a "fall risk" patient alone in the bathroom, and don't use hoyer/marissa or any type of lift by yourself.

Best of luck to you in your new job :) I hope you do fantastic!!

Edit: One other thing to be aware of - some residents (most) have their own set routines or expect things to be done in a very specific way, like getting in the bed from a different direction, or being positioned in the bathroom in a particular manner so they can ambulate to the commode. It takes time to learn all these things, and honestly is something that is an ongoing process with discharges/new admissions and being floated to different areas. It's a huge challenge, know that going in and reward yourself for a job well done :)

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Yes I agree, three shifts is not enough. It took me about 5 to understand the routine and then a couple more to do it myself within the time limit I needed to get things done in. I would observe for the first shift and help where you can, then once you feel comfortable with equipment and such, start doing things on your own and eventually take a patient/resident or two, and keep going til you can manage a whole team. Don't feel bad if you're slow at first, you will get faster the more you do it. Its really about being organized and getting in a routine that works for you as well as the residents. After a while you'll find out which ones need help eating or that this one likes their bath later in the morning. You'll get the hang of it.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Thank you so much guys ! My first day was fine. Its exactly what I expected. I just wish there was a way to learn everything in one day but obviously that's impossible. I want to be able to care for my patients with confidence. Ill get the hang of it soon !

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A week would better. I am also a new CNA and I started my new job at a hospital. I just got off orientation 2 weeks ago...I started in August. I know the routine but I had to be perfect with my blood draw. And do not be afraid to ask for more days of orientation...they like when ask for more time but do not make it seem like you cant do your job either

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