Just started clinical...few questions

Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN · Mar 13, 2012

Introduce yourself, explain what you are doing.

Help them with their AM care. Get their teeth brushed, glasses on, etc. Make sure they are clean and help with toileting when needed. If it's their shower day, get that done when the shower is available. If not, help them get dressed. (with showers, dress them after) Put on TED hose, if ordered. Make the bed and straighten up as much as you can.

Don't be shy. Your resident is used to the drill and would prefer if you were straight forward with what you have to do. When you are all done with the resident, help the other CNAs with stocking the linen cart, filling the ice chest and so on.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Mar 13, 2012

Have the CNAs that work there been told which residents are "taken" by the students? We don't have students where I work but I like to get as many people dressed as possible before breakfast.

Merlyn · Mar 13, 2012

Hi. Well I finally got to the clinical part of my studies and I am so confused! We were assigned one resident and had to look up their care cards today to tell the instructor how we are going to proceed with the resident tomorrow. How do I know when I get there tomorrow where to start?? I assume they will all have gotten their breakfast by the time out class starts so do I just go in and start bathing & getting dressed. I am feeling so not sure about everything...like being thrown out into the woods & being told- find your way out!! Any advice would be so appreciated!!

Asked them how they ate, if you are not there during feeding time. As you bath you can assess. Do they have any pain, if so scale it from one to ten. Observe any changes in skin color. Are they hot are they cold.how did they sleep. and what is their biggest complaint.

missie1 · Mar 14, 2012

Yes, the CNA's have been told we will have certain residents. So I am thinking, denture care, ask her what she wants to wear, bed bath (only showers on Sundays) and get her dressed. Then another CNA will have to help me get her into her chair because she uses a hoyer lift. Am I missing anything?

Merlyn · Mar 14, 2012

Yes, the CNA's have been told we will have certain residents. So I am thinking, denture care, ask her what she wants to wear, bed bath (only showers on Sundays) and get her dressed. Then another CNA will have to help me get her into her chair because she uses a hoyer lift. Am I missing anything?

Hair care and of course is she cooperative.

azcna · Mar 18, 2012

Let us know how it went, I'm dying of curiosity! The first time you take care of a real patient is terrifying, but you get over it. I've been taking care of people for over three years and although I am a shy person I am very comfortable with patients. You just have to learn how to talk to them and try to consider their needs.