New CNA on New Rehab Job (Update)

[grid_iron_gurl]

Well, guys, 3 weeks on the job and it went from bad to worse. Some days were good, some were hellish. My spirit is completely crushed. I've read posts for support, asked for help from the ADON (who is amazing wonderful), the other CNAs (the ones I trust and like), the new unit manager, friends, family, even a patient who is also an employee... they ALL see and acknowledge the problems there. Part of the problem is that there has been no acting unit manager on our wing, part of it is political bullcrap, part is just the overload that goes with the job. I have decided I can't take it anymore.

It's gotten to the point now that people I don't even know see me come in in the morning and ask, "so, are you gonna cry today or are you over that yet?" (I squeezed out tears on the job twice and walked outside - not had a bawling fit or anything.) They actually laugh at me about it.

The patients LOVE me because I actually CARE about them. The patient who is also an employee has told the DON and administrator, who she is friends with, not to let me leave cause I am the best aid they have. The other aids have told me that if I want to survive I need to learn to hide in my patients' rooms if it's dead for a moment. I am the only one who will actually walk from room to room and check on my patients (mine are all fall risks cause they keep getting up - CONSTANTLY). I have 4 that I am constantly catching standing up and trying to walk or climb. I actually had one fall cause she learned to remove her alarm.

I have other aids who put my patients back in bed or their chairs when I am at lunch and not turn on their alarms and then one fell out of bed and *I* took the hit cause her alarm wasn't on. I have just had it.

There are at least 5 other aids who feel the same way. No matter how many aids we have working, I always have more patients than anyone else and I'm tired of scrapping and fighting with the other girls. I'm tired of "standing up for myself." So, I just take the extra patients. It's gotten to the point that no one answers call lights but me and even the ADON and unit manager told me to stop cause they are watching and counting to see how long it takes everyone else. I am sick to death of it all.

Even the nurses are miserable. If this is what it's like in the healthcare field, I don't want to be a CNA OR a nurse anymore. I was always happy and cheerful and loved my residents. NOW, I can't even manage a smile. I guess I had this ridiculous fantasy about teamwork and patient care being above all else. I am not cut out for constant bickering and catfighting and pointing the finger. I just want to take care of the patients.

I don't know how you guys do this every day, you are worth 20 times what you are paid. I'm sorry to be a bummer, but THIS is the reality I've been facing day in and day out. And I HATE it.

[nurse38401]

Hello...I just wanted to say that I have been a nurse for almost 16yrs...I teched for 3 yrs while I was in nsg school. It sounds like you work in a nsg home. You might find it more fulfilling to work in a hosp.. It's still hard work, but you also know it's rewarding. If it wasn't you doing all that hard work, who would it be??; maybe someone that didn't really care. It sounds like you make a difference. Hang in there. Tammy Thornhill RN

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

Hey there listen... I know how you feel and it is very difficiult working in a rehab/nursing home enviroment. When I did my CNA clinical rotation in a nursing home i hated it. I dislike having the same patients day in and day out.

Having most if not all your patients be a fall risk must be hard but consider working in a hospital setting. I work in an urban hospital and I get to go everywhere, ER, PACU, oncology, telemetry, renal, Peds. It helps keep me from burning out.

Being a nurse is a calling, if you have the heart and compassion then the strength will come in time. I cried when i started and I still cry sometimes. So with that being said I hope you follow what your heart says and keep true to yourself and your beliefs

[angieleelee]

Sounds like what I went through a few months ago. I left a nursing home for a independent care facility and love it. Most people are falls risks but I have ony 9 PTs to care for as opposed to 28 before. I too had more PTs than anyone else the nurse never delagated anything. I complained only to be "put out" by the other aides when I did. So I left with my tail between my legs. Best decision I ever made. I was very discouraged toward nursing. I make a dollar less than before but worth it. I work 3rds we have alot of downtime so I study my nursing textbooks at night. Try something diferent my advice. :)