help! patient refusing care

First of all, give yourself some time to get into the groove of your new job. It may seem overwhelming right now, but you'll really get the hang of things in a few months.

Second, that nurse was wrong to discuss this with other CNAs. If she does it again, politely inform her that it is nobody else's business but yours and hers.

If a resident refuses care, then leave and come back in 10-15 minutes. Sometimes that does the trick.

If that doesn't, then see if another CNA will take care of her for you, and in return you will put one of his/her residents to bed. Give and take. Many CNAs are willing to help if you help in return.

If you don't immediately see an available aide, then walk down their assignment and FIND them. More often than not, I have found "busy" CNAs watching TV or reading magazines in residents' rooms.

Be honest with the nurse and let her know that such-and-such resident is refusing HS cares so that it can be documented in the resident's chart.

thanks coffeemate for your reply it made me feel a little better. what made me feel worst was it was a simple mistake that the staff made me feel like was the worst thing ever. and trust me i have been in search of the other cnas and even asked for help yet once again nowhere in the building to be found im guessing 3 out of the 5 are on breaks together(all friends). also the nurses already knows that this resident refuses care and hates everyone even when i did return to her she still didnt want me to talk or touch her. i offered her the restroom,food,bed everything and she didnt want me at all. it took 2 other cnas and the nurse to finally get her to get changed. hopefully things will get better

So the nurse was gossiping about you having trouble with this resident and she didn't even try to help? Really nice. When you're new these kinds of things happen. It sucks but it gets better. Some residents give new CNAs a hard time because they only want someone they're familiar with. I know your time management probably sucks right now but I'd save this person for last. It seems like people like that can just tell when you're stressed and afraid no matter how much you think you're hiding it. If she's last on your list you'll be more relaxed and in turn she might be more relaxed too.

Well if you are lucky, see if you can team up with another CNA and work together to get yours and their residents done. As far as the resident who was refusing was concerned, ask another CNA (if they are familar with the resident) if they could try and help the resident. I have worked in skilled nursing before and did not like it because you really have to have a strong skin to take the abuse that the residents, the staff and family give you.