My stroke patient fell as a CNA

[AnnCNA]

What do I say to future employers about this fall situation?

I was working per diem CNA. I was asked to put the patient down for a nap she was in a wheel chair. B4 I put her bed, I asked if she want to stay in the chair because it was lunch time. She say no. I put her in bed had call bell next to face and the bed was low and bed rails up. She snuggled to sleep. I figured I didn't need mat in place at the time I didn't put it down. Another aid passed her tray for lunch. I was busy with 2 other patients. I went to lunch came back, checked around on things. THis patient was right next to the nurses station. i was walking down the hall the ADON got in my face and said, "Did I put __ down for a nap because she fell and the mat was not down and the bed was not alarmed." I say yes and felt bad. I didn't remember this patient require the bed alarm. The patient was not hurt. The nurse told me the ADON wanted to see me. I ended up seeing the DON and HR people I never saw before and they said they were talking with me to let me know that they would not be calling me for work any more and they didn't want me to call and call. Apparently, They were annoyed because the patient was q15 monitoring, which I never heard what that was or deep inside I never heard the term before. I failed and didn't take the time to get report from the nurse and found out this patient fell earlier in the week. I always do the best I can at work, and this is my first position as a CNA. I'm just short of a year. I've learned alot and worked some heavy duty loads in the past. I'm not happy with myself for the incident but I don't have any idea what to say about it going forward. ANyone with good advise.

[Missingyou, CNA]

First, don't offer the information to potential employers unless they ask about it. If they do ask about this specific incident, briefly explain there was a miscommunication, you didn't put down the mat or apply the alarms. Explain that you learned from this mistake and can assure them that you will make sure that there is better communication between shifts and with your nurses. That you will daily check care plans and that you will ask about things that you don't understand clearly.

Again, you learn from your mistakes.