Lost Person Needs Some Help

[clarinets, CNA]

This may sound redundant. I managed to get a nurse upset and get reported for something I did not know. I also get the run around.. I want to make sure I know what I am asking as well as doing.

Here are the questions I ask when I am new to a unit or a hospital:

Where is the soiled utility room? Where is the clean utility room? Where do the dirty linens go? Where are the clean linens? What are the codes to the rooms? Where is the kitchen? How does everyone communicate with each other?

Shift change: Who is to be ambulated? Who is incontinent? Who is a feeder?

Am I missing anything? As it takes me sometime to orient, ask these questions in the middle of a shift sometimes, and there are times when I get screwed over, ignored or sent away or given the run around. This happened again. I know asked this before, but it happened again, and got reported for not knowing something this time. I felt lost, and I had to assert myself which led to me being frustrated and stressed. This was ICU telemetry. Thanks for any help. What am I doing wrong?

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Your post is not very clear. What do you mean you got reported? Who reported you? Who did they report you to? What did they specifically report about you?

[clarinets, CNA]

Some nurse told the nursing supervisor that I was not doing things right. I went to the nursing admin office afterwards and she told me what some of the nurses were saying about me. They said I was not energetic enough, and that I looked lost. I told her that I asked questions but got run around or got yelled at for not asking the other cna. I mentioned to the nurse that I would ask the other cna, but I was told to go back to the nurse and bother them. I gave up. I was lost the whole night.

[sandytoes]

So you float as a CNA? I float in my facility and every unit does things differently. I honestly try so hard to remember but every now and again I forget that this unit puts their bladder scanner in this closet, or whatever. My standard statement when I need reminding is always said with a smile and a friendly tone and I always get the answer with minimal problems.

Two things - first, do you go to the same places more than once? If so get a little notebook and make yourself notes.

Second - it's been my experience that as a float, we are often seen and treated as outsiders. It kind of sucks because really we are just there to help. Try not to take it personally but also don't let them dump on you.

The longer you're at this the better you will get at navigating everything and the thicker your skin will get.

[Missingyou, CNA]

People tend to see "asking alot of questions" as being incompetent. No matter what the questions are.

Ask only what you absolutely CAN NOT know without someone filling you in.

Find out for yourself where things are located. Give yourself a self guided tour of the unit before your shift.

Read the patients care plans.

~everyplace I've always worked has had a unit orientation book with basic info such as codes and other needed info.

The other shifts will give you report on those things that you need to know such as who needs to be repositioned, changed...etc.