New CNAs have questions or need encouragement?

[azcna]

I have been reading a couple of threads here lately about CNAs who are discouraged, need support, or have questions about their new job (or on how to GET that first job). This saddens me, because I remember my first day, and all the stress of being a new aide. I have been on this forum since before I ever signed up for a CNA class, and it has always been very helpful to me. So now that I have almost two years experience I would like to offer as much advise and encouragement as I can. Although I don't have a ton of experience I have worked in both LTC and a few different hospital specialties.

On behalf of myself and all of the other experienced or semi-experienced aides on this forum, I want this to be a thread to answer new CNAs questions and get encouragement when they are feeling like the world (or at least the DON or all other aides and nurses) is against them.

To all the newbies, just remember that EVERY aide has been in the situation that you are in. Most of us come into this career wanting to better peoples lives. When we find out how terribly people are treated in nursing homes it breaks our hearts :redbeathe

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

I cover the bed with overlapping soaker pads. Then I fill a bedpan with water and wash/rinse their hair in it. I dry the pan and put it in a plastic bag and hide it in the closet so no one uses it for its intended purpose (ick). I've tried leaving it with the basin and writing on it in permanent marker FOR HAIR WASHING ONLY but it always gets thrown out or something, probably by people who are like "wth is this?" I think it's the easiest and most comfortable way to wash someone's hair in bed. I use a cup to scoop water and rinse with. Then I take a soapy cloth and scrub up their front (crotch last), and use the cup to pour water over them to rinse it off. I always put a bath blanket on them and just fold it back for whatever area I'm working on. Then I put on a ton of lotion and THEN I towel dry them. I leave towels sitting in all their folds and creases. Then I flip them over and do the same for the back, butt last. By the time I flip them back over and I pull the towels out the creases are usually pretty dry but if they're still damp I sprinkle powder in them then wipe it out and then usually does the trick. The powder also helps you to see if they're still wet or not. Then when I'm done I just roll all the towels and stuff in the bath blanket and chuck it.

[yousoldtheworld]

^ This is very similar to how I used to give bedbaths.

Unfortunately, my facility now prohibits bed pads (for incontinence...which makes no sense, because every single one of our residents is incontinent) so I can no longer use so much water. So, I just do my best - head to toe with soap, then with a wet rag to rinse, then with lotion, then with a towel. For the hair, most of the time I just comb it or wipe it with a damp rag (or in rare instances, no rinse shampoo). Our residents get showers every other day, so they don't have the opportunity for their hair to get too dirty.

For daily purposes, I don't think there's one "right" way to give a bedbath, as long as the resident gets clean and infection control rules are followed, to be honest. :)

[BeezRN]

thanks guys..bed pan is a great idea. Most of my residents are in isolation so they can just take bed baths. I guess i wasn't doing such an improper bed bath and thanks for giving me better ideas :)

[kserasera]

Worried about careless mistakes.

[CNA2day]

I use a toothbrush with mouth wash on it if they have teeth, this way I at least can get the junk off the teeth, if they do not have teeth i use mouthwash with a toothette.

I use a toothbrush and toothpaste only if they can spit it back out!

[y&rfan84]

Well, this is not to make anyone angry, or think I'm racial in anyway so please hear me out. I just started a new job as a CNA. I work three days out of the week. On weekends, I work with 3 other CNA'S who are all mexican. No problem there. My problem is that whenever we all sit together all they do is talk spanish. I only speak english so I do not understand what they are saying. I find it rude, and I dont feel included in the conversation. I feel like an outsider. I know they can speak english, because they all talk to me in english if I have a question or if they need to tell me something. I have thought about telling them to talk english at all times, but I'am the new girl and do not want to cause trouble with them. Or get them to dislike me to where they will not help me when I'am on the floor by myself. I have tried to get the conversation turned over to english by talking, but it goes back to spanish between them. How do I handle this?