Horrible First Day; How to cope?!

karamarie91 · Jan 3, 2012

You need to tell whoever is in charge of assigning your preceptors that you do not feel adequately prepared. Because once you are free on your own, you are expected to have little to no excuse for your actions. If all your preceptors are ineffective, you may have to ask for help from other CNA's every now and then in order to ensure that you are not totally lost. But bring your issue privately to management, and see what they do.

wyogypsy, RN · Jan 3, 2012

Not everyone is good at orienting new employees. Tell the person in charge of scheduling, or the Director of Nursing or her assistant. Make sure it doesn't seem like you are complaining, just ask if you could be put with a different CNA. Who knows, maybe this is how the CNA that didn't talk was oriented as well! Unfortunately most facilities don't take the time to learn who is good at orienting. They should, and give them extra pay while they are orienting new staff.

This is pretty common so don't take it personally!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2012

I am so sorry your experienced this.....wyogypsy is right....not everyone is good at precepting. I would let your immediate boss/manager/DON know that you feel under prepared for that area. Maybe she was having personal issues, maybe she's uncomfortable with "telling" people how to do things. There are those who are just passive aggressive and treat new employee's badly for whatever reason, and some are just plain mean. Don't take it personally. Let your immediate boss (privately)that you feel under prepared for that area as your preceptor was busy and preoccupied and when you work that area if you are not performing something to please let you know.

Forget her...move on. Good Luck today!!!!

northernguy · Jan 3, 2012

This is pretty common from my experience. My first CNA job was in LTC and I later took a job in a hospital, and both orientations were horrible and pretty much exactly as you described. I pretty much just had to figure out the jobs on my own. Its unfortunate but it happens, and results in a lot of people quitting early.

Whenever I am orienting someone I go out of my way to explain everything and never just assume the person Im training knows something. I also will explain the same things over and over because I know repetition helps. It just seems like common courtesy to me, everyone was new once. Ill never understand why other people dont do the same thing. You even have some aides that seem to regard new people as the enemy, its ridiculous.

Ive done a lot of different jobs in my life, so I think that explains why I like to do a really thorough orientation, I know what its like to start out in a new field. The worst people to do orientation are aides who have never done anything else.

tomc5555 · Jan 3, 2012

Yesterday was my first day as a CNA at a LTC. I had a bad experience with the coworkers. They are really mean. I had to be orientated and the person orientating me was horrible. She had a horrible attitude and didn't talk or tell me anything. She just walked in and out of rooms. When they had to hcart on the computer she didn't tell me what to do or how to do it. I am really worried that when I am put on the schedule and have my own residents I won't know what to do; how to chart; do rounds..nothing.
I have another orientation in Alzheimers unit today. I hope to God today's orientator is much nicer!
How do I cope with that? It's not so much dealing with them that I am concerned about, it's that I am worried I won't know what to do when I have to punch in.
Has anyone had an experience like this?
Thanks in advance.

I would not go to management, etc. I would talk to the person training you and tell them what would help you to learn. For example, it helps me to know special needs of the resident. Ask questions take notes. Don't be passive. Tell them you want to do hands on training not just observe. Jump in and help.

Don't go complaining to management until you have tried everything. Nobody likes a complainer just starting a job.

D.R.A. · Jan 3, 2012

You can A. go to a manger or B. ask questions (0: I'd start with asking questions. Like, "Do you mind if I chart on the next patient? I've seen you do it, but it really helps me learn when I do things myself." Unfortunately, some people just aren't good teachers :\

AJ_427 · Jan 3, 2012

It happens quite often. To be completely honest, a lot of people don't like to orient/train new CNAs. The number one reason is because they slow them down. If I were to orient you, you would not sit for five minutes and I would not be the nicest person ever. You will meet a lot of mean people in nursing homes. My advice: grow a thick skin. If you are pre-nursing then it will help you a lot. One thing that annoys me more than anything is when the OT or someone who is working alone for the first time does NOT ask for help or does NOT ask any questions. I'd rather have you annoy me for eight hours straight with your questions than have anything happen to the residents. I very much care and like my residents so if I see a "bad" aide then it usually doesn't end well.

If you need more training then tell whoever set up your orientation or whoever hired you. As I wrote before, a lot of aides hate orienting so don't take it personally. Everyone is slow and clueless for the first few days or weeks when they are working alone. It gets so much easier once you get to know the residents and staff. Survive the first few weeks and then decide if you want to stay.

Ev1987 · Jan 3, 2012

I would have reported that information to the charge nurse or nurse manager on duty. Some cna's forget that they were once in your shoes.

h_kitty, CNA · Jan 5, 2012

:/ not everyone is good at orientating. You're a cna now,which means you need to be strong and assert yourself. I would tell your dsd about it, but make sure you ask tons of questions with who ever you're shadowing. Make it known that you're there. Speak up:) don't let them walk all over you. Some cna's are nice and others are not so nice.

tammy_zeidan09 · Jan 5, 2012

I would not go to management, etc. I would talk to the person training you and tell them what would help you to learn. For example, it helps me to know special needs of the resident. Ask questions take notes. Don't be passive. Tell them you want to do hands on training not just observe. Jump in and help.
Don't go complaining to management until you have tried everything. Nobody likes a complainer just starting a job.

thanks, I really did not want to and wasn't planning on talking to the DON. I am shy, so I oidn't like to be assertive or come off as pushy. But I will def take notes on each of the resident I am assigned.

thanks

tammy_zeidan09 · Jan 5, 2012

Thanks!!!!

I worked on the dementia unit the second day and LOVED LOVED LOVED the cnas I worked with! I was so happy and itme flew. They were so helpful it was incredible, and they made it fun. I swear by the end of the night I felt like I knew the residents and CNAS forever!