New CNA needs advice

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I was just wondering about how long it takes you guys to change 20 patients. I typically work 11-7 so everyone is done in the bed. The people that I work with take less than an hour and I just dont see how they do it, because it takes me forever. Im having a problem managing my time but at the same time I like to make sure that each of my clients are nice and clean:heartbeat, and I am not the type of CNA who is rough and insensitive. Also, it is a problem for me turning big patients and noone is willing to help. Will you guys please give me some suggestions?

I'll tell you what, I think that it would benefit every student nurse to work as a CNA, in the past couple of months I have really gained perspective and learned that CNAs really do work hard:bow:, my hat goes off to all CNAs especially the ones who work in understaffed facilities that dont pay very much. When I graduate (hopefully in NOV) I dont want to be the kind of nurse that doesn't appreciate CNAs!.

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Specializes in ortho/neuro, geriatrics, med-surg.

Honey... I know EXACTLY where you are coming from. I have been a CNA for 17 years! I have worked in facilities that are constantly understaffed and noone willing to help. I agree with you on the point that you made about SN working as CNA's before they become RN's. they would appreciate their CNA's alot more. :)

If you are having trouble turning and you are alone, make use of those pads! For example, pull the pad closest to you and then go to the other side of the bed and pull on the pad to roll them closest to you. Make sure that you are using your ARM muscles and NOT your BACK muscles! Trust me on that one!!! ;-)

As far as taking an hour with 20 patients... I don't see how they can do that. I have been in this for a long time, and 20 people to change, there is no way that they can properly clean them and do everything that they have to do in an hour. There are some CNA's that I have worked with in the past and they find ways to cheat... DON"T EVER compromise CARE for TIME. I take at least 5-10 mins in each room.

Here's a tip for your time mgt. On the first round, when you go in there to clean them... go ahead and take your cart and lay out what you will need for morning "get up's". I dont know if you have to get people up but I know where I work there is a list of people that have to be up. I would have to start getting folks up at 4am sometimes!!! But lay out their clothes, put out their towels and washcloths and get everything ready for when you have to wake them up in the am. Once you get in the habit, it won't take you but about 10 mins in each room on those first rounds.

Do you do walking rounds when you come on??? I always made the CNA before me go room to room and give me walking rounds and as we were talking I would lift the sheets and make sure that my people were clean and dry before we left that room. If they weren't I would tell them that they needed to take care of that before they left. I don't care what they thought about me. They needed to do their job!

As far as the gentle thing... DON'T EVER be rough with the patients. Some of them may be out of it, but they can still hear... they are people too. I used to get on to some of the CNA's that I worked with because they were so rough. You can tear their skin and the skin is the first barrier of protection! You set them up for infection if you don't protect that skin!!!

I think that you are on the right track. I believe that you will make a WONDERFUL CNA! Just always keep in mind... what is that was your grandmother, or grandfather... one day, that could be you, and how would you want a CNA to take care of you??? ;-)

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thats true, thank you so much.... It really makes me feel better hearing this coming from a SEASONED CNA. I appreciate you responding......

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thats true, thank you so much.... It really makes me feel better hearing this coming from a SEASONED CNA. I appreciate you responding......

ohh, I work agency since im in school and this allows me to schedule my own hours, and the facility I go to they dont do rounds for the CNAs anymore. The other place that I work at is a rehab facility and it is so nice, (very competent and caring nurses) but I took a permanent position there 1 day a week because that is where I want to work post grad. we do do rounds there, but i only check the patients depending on whose working, most of the CNAs ther are very strong CNAs.

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there is NO WAY they are changing 20 people in an hour. i have seen that too and then the person pulled me into help and i noticed bm all over each cheek of the pt and she said 'oh that is from the night shift and snapped him up. i was sick to my stomach. Im agency as well and i have refused to go back there until next week, im hoping its better.

when im in a high needs area it takes me the full two hours to do round ..... sometimes more. finding someone to help is like pulling teeth. i have found that the bed sheet is my best friend. Good Luck!

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Specializes in ortho/neuro, geriatrics, med-surg.

Good CNA's are HARD to find these days... I don't understand why people come into this profession if they don't have a heart to help others. I pray to God that I never have to be in a nursing home... pull the plug on me first and let me die!

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WOW 20 in 1hr!!! There is no way I could do that.

I try to be as organised as possible, make sure you have anything and everything you might need to use.

We have a no lift policy where I work, and have to have assistance when turning patients for pad changes ect, so working as a team we might get it done a little quicker, but no way could I or anyone I work with get that many done.

Keep up the great work, Zoe

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Specializes in CNA - geriatrics.

At the place where i work, you have 40 residents per hall and only one aide per hall. This is on the 11-7 shift.

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Specializes in ortho/neuro, geriatrics, med-surg.

The nursing home that I worked at had the state come in there and they told management that CNA's could not have more than 12 residents per CNA. I was so glad that they did that. It made my job alot easier...

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Specializes in ICU.

Obviously they are not doing their job the right way! I work nights, so it is a little bit easier (I work nights 'cause of school). But I make sure those pt's that have to be turn Q2H do get turned Q2H. I get everything to clean a pt, warm water, soap and ointment, if needed, and not just a wash cloth with waterless soap. Many nurses I have seen that don't clean around the privat part when there is a BM. Just turn, wipe and done! I'd tell them, wait I am going to clean the front first and they'd sigh. So who cares! I've had a patient that was scared to get a bed bath and she'd tell me that the nurese would be very rough with her, and I explained to her that I am not like that, I take my time and I am gentle. Oh my the whole family was over me and really appreciated the care that their mom received. Made me feel good when they'd pass and say, hey that is her she is very good.

Our beds at the hospital let us put the pt in trendelenburg position, it is easier to pull the pt up to the head of the bed if they can't do it themselfs.

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