New CNA and need encouragement

christinibodini · Feb 20, 2011

Hi, I took a nursing assistant job in a facility in 2007 with no skills at it at all and I was very scared and felt I would fail. I had 2 days of shadowing and went at it and loved it. I have never been a good waitress type and somewhat cringed at meal times.. the others were bossy about this tray and that.. each day was different.. one group of aides would work say one aide serving the top of the list the 2nd aide serve the bottom until you meet in the middle.. the others would do every other from bottom up or top down, they changed it so that the residents were not favored and some always last.. but still there was so much stress and never knowing who got what plate served some etc. Regarding the care of patients.. some wanted to do things theirselves while others needed or expected more.. I actually kept a small pocket notebook and just wrote a number like 101 and wrote things such as dentures, depends, etc.. so I knew what to expect and didnt forget things.. I soon learned all the patients needs and how to handle them both good and bad. Sure the others aides who were there longer thought they owned the place, which helped me learn to appreciate and desire to learn my job well so I did not have to ask them all the time :) I advanced up to head aide on my shift and also was in charge of passing med carts which took most of my shift finishing one round, dinner bathrooms, and starting bedtime rounds of meds.. I was always exhausted after work, always.. but felt like I earned every penny I got. I used my STNA I earned in 2008 to work for a home health agency which was much more relaxed.. I may do a 3 hour shift, cleaning their apartment, cooking, bathing, running for meds and groceries, and just companionship which at times they said just relax and watch tv with me.. It was easier work for more money while in nursing school so my mind was no so tired to be able to think.. have you considered home health instead?

AzDeb · Feb 20, 2011

I've heard that it gets better with time. As for myself, I am also a new CNA and worked at a LTCF for just short of a month and had to quit. I had between 12 and 16 residents during my 8 hour shift. :eek: I could give you all the horrible details of my experience but I will spare you. Anyway, it wasn't a good fit for me. I wanted to give care in a full capacity and not run around rushed day after day and always running behind. I went into home health care and I LOVE IT!!! I work about 30 hours a week and I can now be there for them emotionally and in every capacity....just as I wanted to do. I wouldn't go back to a LTC job if I could make twice what I make now. I've learned that money doesn't make happiness, doing what you enjoy is what makes happiness. And if you're happy.....the clients are happy. Anyway, just thought I'd share my experience as a new CNA. Good luck to you!! And congratulations on becoming a CNA!! :yeah:

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Feb 20, 2011

It'll get easier. You'll get to know the residents and their needs, develop a routine, and start thinking of little ways to make things easier and/or faster. It seemed to take me forever to catch on and I thought I was going to be one of those slow aides and then all of a sudden I was one of the best workers there. I think I just needed to have some confidence. After a new girl was hired, I wasn't self-conscious about being "that new girl" all the time (yes, my RN supervisor did not bother to learn my name until they hired other "new girls" for her to be snotty to), and I improved a lot.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Feb 20, 2011

It might depend on who you're working with too. When i first started only one girl was actually nice to me and she was the only one i felt comfortable asking for help- it turns out she is pretty darn slow and scatterbrained, so i was kind of shooting myself in the foot there. After I figured out what i was doing I ended up doing half her work for her all the time just to get things done.

heartflutter, ADN, BSN · Feb 21, 2011

I'm hitting my year mark at my LTC facility and I've just got to say, it takes time. You'll look back in three months and think, "Was it really -that- bad? Wow." Still, don't let your coworkers run you down. It might take a lot of courage to muster a response, but stand up for yourself. "Hey, I'm new. Help me out so I can do my job better." If they don't respond, that's their problem. But at least you tried.

Good luck!

karamarie91 · Feb 22, 2011

this thread is very helpful. I just came off from a tough say of clinicals!