New nurse assistant and terrified

brownbook · Sep 30, 2017

We could help more if you told us what your job is? Where are you working? Are you taking vitals on patients? Helping elderly or disabled with activities of daily living? Is there any licensed health care providers working in the same building? Registered Nurses, Nurse Practioners, Medical Doctors, etc.?

Beth1978 · Sep 30, 2017

First of all, deep breath. And again. And again. Now, doesn't that feel better?

Alright. You aren't certified and are untrained, yes? So of course you will feel overwhelmed. You don't know what you don't know. During your next shift tell your trainer that you want to help and ask what to do. Watch, learn, and act. You will be fine, you just need guidance. If you need more specific help, YouTube is a good resource.

Amarie219 · Sep 30, 2017

I am a nurse assistant so I do vitals, help with eating/bathing/changing. Also moving the patient and etc. I'm working in a hospital on the oncology/hospice floor. Most of the patients cannot do anything on their own. There are other aides and nurses on the floor but every time I ask a question they seem annoyed.

Amarie219 · Sep 30, 2017

Thank you for the advice, I will definitely look at YouTube.

RainMom · Sep 30, 2017

This is completely normal! No one starts a new job in a new field knowing exactly what to do or doing it well. Everyone else seems to make it look easy because they've been doing it day in & day out for years. Give yourself a chance & in a few months you'll see what a difference a little time & experience makes.

Beth1978 · Sep 30, 2017

There is a hospice/palliative care section here, it may be helpful to you. Hospice has different goals and mindset, it is a different approach. I'm wondering if some of the problem is that hospice and oncology is difficult emotionally for some people. What specific skills are you having problems with?

sarahmariko · Oct 1, 2017

Oh these words could have came straight out of my mouth two years ago. My first CNA job was at a SNF and I cried after at least 4 of my shifts and had to do breathing exercises before I started work. Please, give yourself some slack. As long as you approach the patient with compassion, you've already done part of your job. These skills take time and practice, no one's a natural at ADL's. Sending positive thoughts your way!!

Davey Do · Oct 1, 2017

I am not certified and I have absolutely no experience with patient care.
I was being trained and my trainer was so fast and efficient at everything that it just made me feel worse.
I feel like I know how to do nothing and I'm scared I will do something wrong.

Amarie- an Auto Mechanic said to me, after I expressed some frustration in my attempts to work on my antique truck, "Everything is difficult before it becomes easy".

Your trainer is fast and efficient, Amarie, because she has done these tasks repeatedly over a period of time. Believe me: Someday in the near future, you will be confident in the tasks you perform. You have the desire to do a good job. The rest will follow.

Do not give up. As my first LPN instructor told the class, "If you can do nothing else, be there for the Patient".

The very best to you!

chacha82, ADN, BSN · Oct 1, 2017

First step: as long as your preceptor is safe, follow along and do what they do. This has always served me well until I developed my own "flow" and work style. Find out from your preceptor what has to be done at what time, and let that guide you. When I was a CNA on a transplant floor, my preceptor said "Get your baths done by 9 AM." So I did. When I went to another floor, the vitals were due at 9 PM, 1 AM, 5 AM. So that guided my task. Of course there were things that happened to interrupt like bathroom trips, admissions, etc. Focus on being SAFE and efficient. If you do something, chart it. If you don't do it, don't chart it. I also felt overwhelmed when I went from working in a doctor's office to a hospital, it's totally normal!

Nurse Noelle · Oct 1, 2017

Any time you try something new and as intensive as nursing, you can expect to feel like you're on a short ladder trying to climb a very tall roof. Nursing as a whole is a very tough profession with endless things to do and be prepared for. There's no way in this world or the next that you can grasp it all in just a day or two. Heck, I've been an RN for four years and I'm still learning new and more efficient ways to do my job every time I work!

Believe in yourself. Don't be afraid. Trust yourself. You can do this. Watch and emulate the good CNAs you're learning from, and before long you'll be right alongside them, speedy and efficient. Don't do yourself in before you've given yourself a fair chance. You will feel just as overwhelmed when you start as a nurse, but again, TRUST AND BELIEVE in yourself. Efficiency and speed comes with experience and training, and you'll get there. :)