I cried all night...NEED YOUR FEEDBACK!

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Specializes in 12 years exp in corporate healthcare.

Hi everyone...

PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I DID WRONG!...Last night was H*LL!!....I was helping another CNA (per an LPN's request) with a resident that was TOTAL assistance and he was over 200lbs...putting on his clothes and briefs, I swear it felt like we needed an Army to complete his care. As I walked in the hallway to get more towels because he had a bowel movement while transferring him in the hoyer lift,IT WAS A MESS!!! :no:so I ran into one of my residents in which he was ready for bed. I told him to give me 5 minutes and I will be right with him. He just sat in the hallway by his door. So 2 mins went past and the LPN told me to put Mr. W in the bed and on my way we heard "Help, help"!!...went to his room and he was on the floor!!..I'm like *****!.:banghead:.I just told him to PLEASe wait!!...he is a fall risk, I'm new and still learning the ropes of the group I had. So I ran and got the blood pressure machine and the charge nurse (in which she was cool about it) had told me that she would need to write me up because his alarm wasn't attached to his clothes but it was on the wheelchair.:smackingf She also told me that she would need to call the agency and let them know. I was disgusted, and resentful because I was helping someone else by request!!!..:madface:..and also, it just seemed like he did that for attention..he knew I was gonna help him get in bed!!!..so do you guys think the agency will let me go?..and to add "insult to injury"..I also work a full-time job, and they called me to pick 1/2 of that 2nd shift up!..I get out of work at 5pm..rushed home...flew to work so whomever was waiting for me to come can go home from 1st shift...and then jumped in caring for a group that im not familiar with!..:uhoh21:.should I quit for the sake of my licencse?...sorry guys, I'm so lost!!...I couldn't stop crying. :crying2:

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Specializes in Medical/Legal.

This is a scenario that often comes up in job interviews. Which pt/resident will you assist first. The correct answer always pertains to patient safety. If the resident was a fall risk, you should have taken care of him first. Sorry you had to learn the hard way. It sounds like you're a caring CNA, otherwise you would not feel the way you do. Please don't quit.

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Specializes in 12 years exp in corporate healthcare.

Now that I know this, I'm definately will consider my residents first!!

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Specializes in 12 years exp in corporate healthcare.
This is a scenario that often comes up in job interviews. Which pt/resident will you assist first. The correct answer always pertains to patient safety. If the resident was a fall risk, you should have taken care of him first. Sorry you had to learn the hard way.

Now that I know this, I will definately consider my residents first!

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You will not lose your certification over a minor fall -- they happen ALL THE TIME. Know that WHEN this comes up in the future again (it will :)) that you don't have to get the resident completely ready for bed right then; you can just transfer him into the bed and go finish him up later after you are done helping or caring for another resident.

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Specializes in 12 years exp in corporate healthcare.
You will not lose your certification over a minor fall -- they happen ALL THE TIME. Know that WHEN this comes up in the future again (it will :)) that you don't have to get the resident completely ready for bed right then; you can just transfer him into the bed and go finish him up later after you are done helping or caring for another resident.

Thank you!!...man, I can't wait to get the swing of this!.Its feels like my head is gonna spin off my shoulders!!..just this bit of advice REALLY helps!! that's why I like to come on here and "let her rip"!..lol!...you guys are the best!

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Specializes in 12 years exp in corporate healthcare.
This is a scenario that often comes up in job interviews. Which pt/resident will you assist first. The correct answer always pertains to patient safety. If the resident was a fall risk, you should have taken care of him first. Sorry you had to learn the hard way. It sounds like you're a caring CNA, otherwise you would not feel the way you do. Please don't quit.

Thanks!!...I'm gonna keep going..but I was sure gonna put in my 2wks notice!...I don't like getting written up...feels like I let them down ya know?!

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Specializes in public health.

Honey, you can't risk your license. Remember how much effort you put in in order to get it? Once your license is revoked you might have a hard time finding another job. Don't be too desperate on making money even if you are in desperate financial situation. Knowing your limits, both physically and emotionally. I was working as a CNA in a nursing home. I had to quit after two weeks not because the job is hard but because I don't feel safe working there. Other CNAs don't do things safely, and the patient loads is way too heavy for everyone to handle. Many days of the week I would feel like working on a over-populated farm. Patients were not treated with respect. You hear yelling, complaining, you see CNAs and nurses manipulate patients (not in a good way) so that they can get their things done on time. You should think about your own well being first. Good luck with everything and take care of yourself before you take care of anyone else.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.
This is a scenario that often comes up in job interviews. Which pt/resident will you assist first. The correct answer always pertains to patient safety. If the resident was a fall risk, you should have taken care of him first. Sorry you had to learn the hard way. It sounds like you're a caring CNA, otherwise you would not feel the way you do. Please don't quit.

I respectfully disagree. Given this type of clinical setting, what patient isn't high fall risk? I don't believe a fairly new CNA in a fairly unfamiliar setting can be held responsible for differential risk assessment. I'm also disturbed by the fact that writing up the CNA was the first and only tool used to prevent future falls. The CNA is not the only one responsible for ensuring mobility alarms are properly placed and functioning and especially in a situation as this, I expect much more from leadership (charge nurse).

Sunflower777,

if you did anything wrong, so did your leader (nurse), by not making rounds to ensure alarms are not only on, but also properly placed, because placement is cruicial for prevention and even then it might not prevent a fall.

As already said, take it as a learning experience, but don't beat yourself up. Not evrything is solely your fault or responsibility.

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I hope you went home and documented exactly what happened on paper. You need to keep your own files any time any sort of incident occurs. If they ever try to railroad you this may help!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I hope you are feeling better, Sunflower777. We all have shifts from ****. I just want you to know the nurse may not have any choice about the write-up and the agency call or she could have gotten in trouble, too. If she was cool about it she probably understood. It takes a while to learn to prioritize what needs to be done first even if everyone is chattering at you about what to do first. Best wishes and hang in there! :)

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