New CNA Job

[Becky718]

Hi. I am 24 and I just got out of a 10-day CNA program and passed the state exams...skills and written. I was hired at an LTC facility and started working there on Dec. 2nd. This is my first job working in the healthcare field. So obviously, I am very nervous about what to expect. I've worked there for 4 days now and am slowly getting the hang of it. I want to know if someone could give me some advice. What are the most important things for me to be aware of while I'm working as a CNA? I am so worried about doing the slightest thing wrong because there are so many things I am still learning, and I don't know what I should focus on the most. I hope I am making myself clear. For example, I seem to take longer than most of the CNAs when I change a patient or put them to bed because I always try to make sure before I leave a patient's room that I have done everything perfectly, to the last detail. I feel like I am missing the big picture b/c I'm too focused on details. I know it's good to focus on details, but when I compare my work to the others around me, I can see that I get a little TOO obsessive. In fact, the CNA who trained me told me I need to be in the "get her done" mentality to do this job. Just do it and don't worry too much about little things. That really goes against my nature, but hopefully, with time I will stop worrying so much about minor things and be able to get things done more quickly.

Can you tell me what you would look for in a CNA to decide if they were giving the best patient care possible? Thanks a lot. I appreciate any advice I can get.

[Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN]

I too was a SLOW aide when I started. It seemed like I could never keep up with my coworkers and still get the job done. Here's the thing: if you are actually doing the job right, you will never keep up with the people who are cutting corners. But the details do matter, and residents can tell if you are just rushing to "get her done" or if you really want to provide quality care for them. BUT--time management is important too! If you have eight residents to care for and you can only get four finished in time, half of your work is still not getting done. Ask for help from your coworkers when you need it, eventually you will be the one helping them. As you get more experience, you will get faster at all of the little tasks that need to be done, and you will be keeping up and providing quality care. Since you are new to the job, this is the time to set your habits. Bad little habits of corner-cutting can be very hard to break, so make the right decisions now. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. I know you will be good because you care that you're not keeping up yet. Bad CNA's don't care if the job isn't getting done, honey, but you do!

:yeahthat: I did the same thing when I started as a CNA and within about 3-4months I was walking around asking the other aides if they needed my help because I was finished first! As you get to know the residents and their needs, it will even be easier for you to set priorities and work efficiently without "cutting corners". One little tip I have is this: ANY time the resident is out of bed (shower, eating, etc.) take that chance to make the bed and straighten up the room. I know this sounds strange, but if I had someone very unsteady on their feet or in a wheelchair -I would sit them on the commode when they needed to go and do hs care right then and there. Washing someone's back & peri-care is much easier and you can do a better job. All my residents loved this "kill two birds with one stone" attitude. Plus, the were clean, bladder & bowels empty, and ready to turn in for the night. I got alot of hugs too! Can you tell I worked 3-11? LOL