immature but true

i am starting a cna job soon for a nursing home (they are paying for my certification), and i am very nervous. when i walked into the place i was so scared (just to have my interview.) i know that these are just people like everyone else,and i do want to take excellent care of them but i am freaking out.... i am so terrified of memberes too. ,as in i dont want to touch them. i'm also nervous about wiping poop and that i will drop someone. i haven't started school yet but am wondering if anyone else had these fears when they started?!?

i think once you finished your first semester of nursing school you will be able to challenge the cna certification. but since you said you have not started nursing school yet, then cna experience will benefit you in your first clinical. so go for it! about the poop and memberes, don't worry you will get used to them. i "kinda" did! and they will teach the proper way to lift/move/ambulate the resident so that you will not "drop someone."

i didn't challenge the cna certification because i am already working in a hospital setting. some of my classmates did.

angel

Before I worked in geriatrics I was terrified of doing peri care and changing diapers. It's so scary at first, but once you have it down it's not a big deal . Really you'll get over it fast. I had trouble with memberes too, again over time it'll seem less weird. Hang in there you'll do great :).

That is so funny! I am still nervous with memberes after 4 years. It just makes me uncomfortable and I am afraid I will hurt my resident. But it is required for skin integrity, therefore it is done, and done correctly. I do have to say that I am immune to poop. I focus on the fact that it is unhealthy for my resident to have feces on their skin, as well as it affects their dignity. I think that I may be in their shoes some day in the far future, and handle it tactfully. As for falls, I am always concerned about dropping a resident. I have help on hand if needed for a heavier resident and think about the best way to get my resident from point A to point B. I was really nervous when I first started my CNA as well, but it becomes 2nd nature to care for people. It helps once you know your residents personally, what they need assisting with, how well they ambulate. Makes the day much less stressful! You very well may hear some really interesting life stories from your residents. Take the time to listen, it makes their day just to think back on special times of their lives and to share it with you. I hope your new job works out great for you! Best of luck! :)

My absolute, hands-down worst fear upon starting in a LTCF was skin tears. I thought moving any resident was going to result in a big ol' foot-long tear down their limbs. Because of this I moved so slowly, and so cautiously, I was always behind.

Over time I realized that these residents are not made of tissue paper! I am still gentle, but you can get things done smoothly and quickly with experience. And, of course, with the extreme skin alerts, you know how cautious to be and you aren't afraid to take time where it needs to be taken.

With any fear in this field, you'll get over it with experience. Although memberes and poop never scared me, my other fear is one I haven't experienced yet -- vomit. It's not that I mind seeing someone do it, it's the smell of it and having to clean it up that make me cringe. I'm bracing myself for flu season!

I think the thing you have to remember is that when you're taking care of male pericares, always ask if they want to do it for themselves, it'll save you a step and it helps them take care of themselves more, which is always the goal at a LTCF. And with poop episodes, always always always remember that sadly it is so much harder on them, and that they are probably embarassed out of their minds every time it happens. I get so mad when I see other aides make faces and noises and "Ugh, disgusting" or "You need to tell me when you need to poop!" to these poor residents that have simply lost the ability! Just remember that and you'll become so much more comfortable with it all. Good luck!

Just remember to be PROFESSIONAL. It would be extremely humiliating for a person to have a caregiver freak out because they have "poop" in there pad, or need peri care. You sound young, but keep in mind that you must be professional, and even if the resident is confused or "out of it" you MUST always speak to them with respect! Good luck!

That is so funny! I am still nervous with memberes after 4 years. It just makes me uncomfortable and I am afraid I will hurt my resident. But it is required for skin integrity, therefore it is done, and done correctly. I do have to say that I am immune to poop. I focus on the fact that it is unhealthy for my resident to have feces on their skin, as well as it affects their dignity. I think that I may be in their shoes some day in the far future, and handle it tactfully. As for falls, I am always concerned about dropping a resident. I have help on hand if needed for a heavier resident and think about the best way to get my resident from point A to point B. I was really nervous when I first started my CNA as well, but it becomes 2nd nature to care for people. It helps once you know your residents personally, what they need assisting with, how well they ambulate. Makes the day much less stressful! You very well may hear some really interesting life stories from your residents. Take the time to listen, it makes their day just to think back on special times of their lives and to share it with you. I hope your new job works out great for you! Best of luck! :)

Vistagirl,

When I'm a little old lady.... I'd like to have you for my CNA please!!!

Well, I am 25 so I don't really consider myself "young" lol I feel like I am around 90 some days. I hope you aren't assuming that I am going to be unprofessional because I am nervous (or young). From what I am reading, there are a lot of people who have started out with a few fears... I don't want you to think that I am going to be removing the feces from a resident and yell " Oh my GAWD, it's like POOP, GROSS!" So in answer to your reply, yes, of COURSE I am going to be respectful of the patients, I am just leery of a few things. I want to do the best for the residents and give them the care they deserve. I admit that my post sounded "immature" but I am honestly scared and nervous. lol but thankfully some of these great folks have shared their experiences starting out with me and few have questioned my professionalism and respect for the patient.

I just re-read my last post and want to say that I didn't mean it to sound rude, I guess it's just the way it came out.

Vistagirl,

When I'm a little old lady.... I'd like to have you for my CNA please!!!

Aww thanks that comment made my day!

I just completed my CNA 1 course and waiting "the test" now. I too am petrified. But they say, these are the kind of CNA's they want because we are so aware and caring, of doing a good job so I am keeping that in the back of my mind. Also a trick I learned from our clinical instructor, when you go into a room to change a BM or vomit or whatever that has a smell you can't deal with to well, in your scrub pocket put a small container of vicks vapor rub and put some under your nose. Believe me it helps.

Do you know, the people you'll be touching will not even remotely think of any of it as sexual, and they welcome the help unless they are combative with care.

They're just parts of the body. That's all.

And you'll be doing a nice thing.