New CNA feeling pretty fed up.

[junebride]

I trained in LTC this week, and I hate it. Absolutely hate it. The reason I got into this field (I'm an RN student) is to care for and help people, but I spend every bit of my time rushing like crazy to clean, feed, and toilet people the entire time. I don't even have time to talk to the residents, which is a shame because I like them all very much. I get the feeling that I'm not there to learn anything or to even care very much about the residents themselves, because my coworkers spend NO time talking to them about anything because they're just too busy. Frankly my coworkers spend all their time talking to each other.

I have another job that will start in a couple of weeks in cardiac at a hospital, and I am hoping that that this will work out much better. I've been told that I will learn and see a lot more. I really hope this is true, because now I feel really stupid about the whole thing.

[Absolutely13]

amazing.. you complaining about CNA JOB.. i JUST WONDER HOW U WILL react to body fluids when u become a nurse....

Uhhmmm. Rn's see more body fluids than CNA's? Not in my world. Maybe it's different in other facilities.

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

I'm right there with you! I'm also going to get my RN and recently my school as made the CNA program a required class for the RN program. Anyhow, we just started clinicals and I cannot begin to express how frustrated I am after seeing some of the things I've seen!

It's sad that the residents are asking for us, "the girls in the green scrubs", to care for them rather than their regular CNA. They light up when one of us walks into a room and we've been able to get a lot of residents to do things they've never done before! Why? Well gee, maybe because we actually spend time with them and they know that we genuinely care about them!

Maybe you are the only ones who have any time to spend with them?

We do get to spend more time with them which helps and I love it!! I just hate to see the RN's running around there like they could give a crap less about any of the residents in the place! The younger CNAs aren't bad at all, but it's the older ones who need to quit their jobs! If you don't like your job anymore, get out! Don't take it out on those residents there!

If I was any of those RN's in any of those halls and saw the things I've seen in the past 3 days, there would be quite a few people with their jobs on the line! That's the problem though...the RN's are really no better than those who do the things they know darn well they shouldnt' be doing!

LTC nurses are so used, abused and absolutely worked beyond all reason. Also, normally, the floor RNs have no control at all over what CNAS are fired or kept on. This is one of the great frustrations of nursing. Please do not be so harsh to judge nurses.

You haven't been in their shoes.

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

Button-

Wonderful post. Thank you!

[junebride]

I'm agreeing --all of the LVN's and RN's that I met were completely wonderful and friendly, and seemed to be glad that I was there. I was made fully aware that they were not my supervisors, and they never acted like they were. I've also heard rumors before about lazy RN's, but all I ever saw these gals do was work hard and be there to help out.

[curryjo71034]

I've been a CNA in a nursing home for over two years now. I love my job, it is very fast paced as you said. Myself and one other is repsonsible for 28 people with only 6 being ambulatory. I understand that youd ont ahve time for stuffa nd the job gets old, but heres how i keep myself going i just remember that i'm helping this person live and make it through the day without me they would have difficulties. Just stick with it, i think this is one of th emost rewarding jobs there is

[love_being_an_aide]

Hey Junebride. I understand your frustration with the job. But welcome to the world of healthcare. Unfortunately, it is a job where there will be days you can't spend time with the residents the way you would like to. Don't forget that in healthcare, we work understaffed most of the time. Especially in LTC. But stick with it. Find little things that you like about the facility and the patients, and just stick to your guns. I find myself going to a patient when I am supposed to be on break just to say hi. Also, if i'm changing a patient or helping them to the bathroom, i'll have a conversation with them then. It helps to ease their discomfort, plus gives you a chance to get to know them better. You'll be fine! Keep faith, and don't give up. We need people like you in the field!!!