I need to vent.

AzDeb · Jan 4, 2011

I wish I could give you encouragement but I am replying because I am about to start my first CNA job and what you are experiencing are my fears. The CNA's that are already experienced that you work with should recall the time when they were in your shoes and be there to help you out! It's all about team work and they should be mentors and help you until the day comes when you are more experienced and faster. Hoyer lifts have to have two people....at least from what I've heard. I'm surprised nothing is being done about it because you are putting yourself and residents at risk when you know you need help but aren't getting it. I'm sorry you are going through that. As for the "cliques", that's childish and don't participate in that game. You are there to take care of the residents first and foremost......it's too bad everyone can't see that. Good luck with your dilemma! I pray I don't end up facing the same problem.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Jan 4, 2011

It does get better. I know it's hard to improve when people are actively making it more difficult for you, but eventually there will be other new girls and the cliques will be too focused on given them a hard time to get aggravated with you anymore. Treat those new girls well and you will have allies.

lsanders379 · Jan 5, 2011

Sounds like you work in a nursing home, if not a bad hospital! I have had simiular experences and all i can say is search for a better department or a new job. Places like this don't give good quality care because their more concerned about friend than patients. Sinces your a new kid on the block you need all the help you can get and it's not your fault! If you need help it is up to them to show you if they care about their patients.

northernguy · Jan 5, 2011

Sounds like your experience is pretty much the norm unfortunately. I went through orientation with a group of brand spanking new CNAs, and it didnt take long for the more experienced CNAs who oriented us to turn on us once orientation was done. They were like a pack of wolves and drove away most of the new CNAs, along with the next couple groups of orientees after mine.

Just keep your cool and stay polite, both to residents and your co workers. complaining or going off wont help and will only make things worse.

Eventually you'll become experienced enough and reach the point where your coworkers determine that while you might not be perfect or as good as theyd like, having you around is better than getting you fired and having to train another newbie, and go through the whole process again.

interceptinglight, CNA · Jan 5, 2011

What's all this clap-trap about hoyer lifts requiring 2 CNA's to operate???? I've been on the job since August, and since I've passed orientation I have NEVER had help on my 'total lift' residents. They only have you do it with 2 people in the beginning, after that you are completely on your own and everyone (including the DON) looks the other way about it. It appears there is an unwritten policy at most LTC facilities....that every CNA just does whatever the hell they have to do in order to get all their work done, even if it's to cut back on quality (and safety) in order to accomplish the quantity requirements.

Geez, maybe I better stop participating in this forum. It's just too honest.

yousoldtheworld · Jan 5, 2011

Not all facilities require two people for hoyers. Mine does not, and it's a good thing, because of our 80 residents, 70 of them are supposed to be hoyer lifts. If we used two people every time, we'd never finish. I only get a second person for one resident, because he freaks out in the lift.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Jan 5, 2011

I wish we didn't have to use 2. If anyone walked in on me using the hoyer by myself I'd be fired on the spot. So I just don't do it without someone else being in the room.

Honestly a lot of the time me and a partner will just pick people up who are supposed to be hoyers. At least when you do that you're not the only one to blame.

yousoldtheworld · Jan 5, 2011

I wish we didn't have to use 2. If anyone walked in on me using the hoyer by myself I'd be fired on the spot. So I just don't do it without someone else being in the room.
Honestly a lot of the time me and a partner will just pick people up who are supposed to be hoyers. At least when you do that you're not the only one to blame.

Oh, I've worked at a facility before where you'd be fired for using a lift alone. Luckily there were only a handful of people who needed a lift, there.

And yeah, if I am going to go find a 2nd person, in most cases I find it easier and faster to just lift the person than to mess with the hoyer.

y&rfan84 · Jan 6, 2011

What's all this clap-trap about hoyer lifts requiring 2 CNA's to operate???? I've been on the job since August, and since I've passed orientation I have NEVER had help on my 'total lift' residents. They only have you do it with 2 people in the beginning, after that you are completely on your own and everyone (including the DON) looks the other way about it. It appears there is an unwritten policy at most LTC facilities....that every CNA just does whatever the hell they have to do in order to get all their work done, even if it's to cut back on quality (and safety) in order to accomplish the quantity requirements.
Geez, maybe I better stop participating in this forum. It's just too honest.

My facility requires you do use the lifts with two people. I have done it by myself before only to be told by the floor nurse that I am not suppose to do that! Well, either you sit around, and wait all day for help, and be behind or simply do it by yourself. It's a big risk though. Just the other day me, and another aide were using the lift together, and the sling started tearing. We had to move fast, and get the resident to the chair before it tore, and the resident fell.

kserasera · Jan 6, 2011

I was like that too when I first started. My coworkers didn't help, they didn't tell me what to do or the residents routines. I had to learn the hard way. My solution, changing from AM shift to PM shift. You'll notice that AM shifts are more rush rush compared to PM. But you also need to get used to the routines.

1. Who likes to get up earlier.

2. who is easier to get done.

3. getting their clothes out before hand and setting up the supplies.

4. letting them brush their teeth while you get another resident on to the toilet or doing cares on other residents.

5. getting the ones who don't require lifts done first.

6. washing/doing the cares on the residents who require hoyer lifts first before calling another aid to help with the hoyer.

Plus, coworkers are always clique especially if your new. If you need any advice I'm willing to share.

Trilldayz,RN BSN · Jan 6, 2011

Oh, this brings back memories when I first started as a CNA in this "wonderful" Nursing home. The first week was soooooo hard!!! I cried. People were expecting me to get everything done in such a short amout of time and I felt so deserted. But honestly, I just did my best, worked as quickly as I could but thoroughly. And I made sure to finish everything in one room first, before running to the others. Group as many things as you can together in one time. For example: (during the first 30 minutes at work)if you all have carts in your facility, get your cups of ice water filled and on the cart. then get the clean linens, towels, and gowns stacked on the second level of the cart as well. So that way, you can do your vitals and give each patient their water, linen, towels,and gowns. THAT WAY, your vitals will be done, you would have seen all your patients, and you can then work the showers in as you have time. AND your bed linens will already be in the room ready when you make your beds. Good luck!