I need some encouragement!

[meo813]

Hi all :) I need some encouragement!

This is my first week working my first job as a cna. Today was so hard. I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown all day (which I did when I got home). I overheard some of the patients saying they don't trust me (even though they tell me to my face that I'm doing a good job). I expressed to a coworker that I was a bit overwhelmed with the new environment and he told me I'm too nervous in from of the patients and that they pick up on it. Some of them don't want me to help them because I'm the "new aide." I understand from their perspective completely and that I have to act like I know everything, but I just feel so nervous and overwhelmed and honestly I'm not sure what to be doing sometimes. Everyone tells me I'm doing a good job, but I feel like a deer in headlights. Literally.

Is it normal to be so nervous and what are some tips of adapting to the pace?

I would really appreciate some adivce. I wanted to quit today.

[KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN]

Its always overwhelming the first few days.. don't give up! Just stick with it & you will be fine :)

[Ninja Nurse, ASN]

just remember that everyone had to start somewhere. we were all in your shoes at one point or another! and as far as your patients................they should understand that you have to learn somehow. and if you stick around at that place for a little while, you won't be the "new" aide for too long.

and guess what? you'll get better at it everyday. i've been a cna for about 6months and i can honestly say that it does get easier everyday. yes, there are hard days, there always will be, but the tasks become second nature.

[WIGGIES_future.rn]

Hang in there so that you can gain experience if you don't like it after that then if you want you can quit..

[LRyder]

Take it all in stride. Show them how passionate you are about your work and remember.. the only way to gain respect is to give it. So just do the best you can and be proud! I'm sure you're doing just fine!

[lorelei1973]

Deep breaths, you can do this. You are a Certified Nurse's Assistant.

I just remember what I was told over and over during class, clinicals and the test: Own your space, take control, fake it if you have to. Turn the fact that you're the "new aide" into an opportunity to be the "one who does things right and has a positive attitude". In order to do that, you have to trust yourself. Even when you're not sure, you trust yourself that you can figure it out, because you can.

Mainly, don't feel apologetic for being new. Embrace it, say to your residents that you're new and you're happy to meet them and look forward to getting to know them. Sometimes (I felt this way in clinicals when I felt really at a loss) like I had to pretend I was an actor being a CNA. So, that means I had to immerse myself in the character that i thought a confident, competent CNA would be. I swear, the best thing you can do for yourself is to show the residents how much you care about them, use humor, use humility, and ask them to help you understand what makes them feel best. They will LOVE you for that attention and will forgive you when you don't do things quite as quickly as others, or seem hesitant. When possible, ask them for some help in making things just right for them! Empower them! Now, the seasoned (jaded, in some cases) CNA's may make you feel inadequate when they see the response you get. Do not let that influence you in any way. Let that serve as a reminder that you are doing your job and doing it well. Show the love and respect to the residents and the rest will follow.

[NP Sam]

I promise you that everyone feels that way the first week or two. What I did was keep my confidence up, I just told every patient who doubted me "I know what I am doing maam,sir." Even if I did'nt!

[susanlwins]

I relate to your posting. This is my 4th day as a CNA on the night shift and on top of feeling overwhelmed I am sleep deprived and not used to my new schedule. I am trusting what everyone keeps saying, that it does get better and I will not always feel like an idiot when I walk in to someone's room or am asked to give report on a resident who I can't even remember! I guess I just have to humble myself and accept that there is a lot that I don't know and be OK with that until I learn it. Has it gotten easier for you since your last posting?

[AZ_LPN_8_26_13]

All I can say is to repeat what others have posted here - Everyone was new at one point in their career, and everyone has to start somewhere. It's been my own personal experience that patients are more forgiving of new people than even coworkers. I'm sorry to hear that you had a negative experience in that regard. Trust me, there are probably many more patients who are thankful that you are there to take care of their needs - you just haven't heard it as much and unfortuately the negative sometimes stands out - out of proportion. Just tell yourself "this too shall pass" in regards to you being new.... What you are doing is definitely a good thing, and don't ever let anyone convince you otherwise....

[AZ_LPN_8_26_13]

I relate to your posting. This is my 4th day as a CNA on the night shift and on top of feeling overwhelmed I am sleep deprived and not used to my new schedule. I am trusting what everyone keeps saying, that it does get better and I will not always feel like an idiot when I walk in to someone's room or am asked to give report on a resident who I can't even remember! I guess I just have to humble myself and accept that there is a lot that I don't know and be OK with that until I learn it. Has it gotten easier for you since your last posting?

That's been one of my biggest hurdles - giving report in the morning to the day shift.... Sometimes it's hard to remember all of this stuff. I'm just trusting that it will get better as time goes by. I've been an aide now for a little over a month with a preceptor but come tomorrow night I will be on my own for three nights (12 hr shifts) in a row. I'm sort of trying to relax tonight before the big week begins......

[NM nurse to be]

Lorelei posted what I was thinking, only way more eloquently than I could have. I was thinking about this today actually. My first posting on this forum was HELP, does it ever get better?? Or something like that. I was overwhelmed, cried my home for weeks, all the same things we all feel, if not write about.

But you know what? It does get better. You will get to know your residents and how to relate to them. Believe me, that was far from natural for me! I think the highlight of my career thus far was another experienced aide telling me she thought I was great with my residents and have such an easy way with them. It was FAR from easy to get there though!!

You will get better. I found it very helpful to just tell your residents you're new, ask them what they like or need help with. Kid with them about being new, if that helps, it did for me. One of the least liked by the aides (very difficult) residents has been my biggest supporter from day one because of that. She knew I was trying and I learned a lot with her.

It will get better. Keep going and keep posting. And as someone told me on my panic thread, look back at this in 6 months and you'll be amazed Good luck to you!