new frustrated cna!..advice needed

[CNA_Angl27]

Im a new cna. I work in a nursing home where I got certified through. I am so frustrated as a new cna. When I first started I was soo terrified to do cares on my own. I still ask alot of questions because I feel its important to be the best cna as possible. I want to do everything the right way for my residents! They deserve the proper care. The problem is working with the other aides! Nurse manger seems to be having her favorites. The problem im having is struggling with time management. We had a meeting on christmas eve that I need improvement.which I understand. Ive done nothing but bust my butt to improve myself and they dont even recognize it. Other aides have told me how awesome job I do and that it takes 6months to get it down. But yet im being attacked by management atleast I feel that way. I dont think the aides like working with me and run to nurse manager which is causing problems for me. She said one aide said I asked for help that they had to do my cares and got behind on theirs. One thing I do not understand is I did not verbally tell someone to do my cares. If I ask for help its for 2assist residents. How am I suppose to provide care by myself? Most of the time we team tag and get the 2assist cares together. As the float does the singles. I feel like their just trying to report me for anything and they get away. I have no idea what to do. One of the ladies in my class was having issues as well with some aides and wants out as well. She was told the aides there will friend you then report you for anything. I feel this is true so far. I cant trust anyone in this place. My biggest fear is getting fired. I am so discouraged to continue in this field. I dont know if its just me or im just in bad work environment. I feel so lost and trapped its depressing! Management makes me feel very uncomfortable as well is the aides. Im busting my butt everyday to improve myself and I dont know what I should do!! What would you do?

[MadisonG]

I am a BSN student and I have been a STNA since 2011. One thing I can say is that you need to stand up for yourself!! I know it is hard but you can't let people, especially coworkers treat you any kind of way. That makes the job hard. Now in this field time is of the essence and I understand why your coworkers may be a little upset about getting behind but that is no reason to run to management multiple times. You will learn that you will not have time to do everything by the book and that is frustrating because you want to give the best patient care. I also know that certain places can be pretty click-ish but you have to do your job and ignore it. If management is not understanding then quit, with your certification you can always easily find another job. It will get better as you get more experience and you will be more efficient and learn tricks to working around that stuff and time management and setting a routine which will be easy because in a nursing home you will know what times residents go to bed etc. So my best advice is to stand up for yourself girl ! You will get more respect and if you don't people will try to get over on you for example by constantly putting you on the hardest units, bossing you around etc. In nursing you have to be a tough cookie !

[RunnerD1987]

Actually have a good story of being bossed around by a nurse. Took a job right off the bat the Charge did not like me, Charge was a 20 year nurse. We have to document on patient's and interview them during a shift. This charge played favorites and was basically the only one allowed to be charge most of the time. She would play favorites a few of us would terrible assignments. We have three different sides in our unit's. You were rotated around each side through out a shift. Normally all our patients we chart in be on the side we cover the most. However, me and a few other techs are patient's were on opposite sides had to talk to, we had a locked unit's.couldn't leave, or had to cover 1:1's made talking to our patients challenge. With that said we also be doing extra work assisting with vitals, ADLS, meal time, and group's. Due to acuity on our unit couldn't leave our sides or if wedid then things just went down the toilet. Long story short I indirectly tried to explain to this Charge my concerns. One time I did approach her about it but was short-lived the change. One individual went directly to the Director she found out just gave this person worse assignments ever. This other Tech wasn't full time but per diem, so was not a big deal.

Anyways back to the story one of the Tech's she favored was being criticized by her work ethic. This made the Charge upset and directed it towards me. Did what ever she could to find a fault in me. Finally found an excuse that she made a false accusation against me that led me to lose my job.

Moral of the story people are not going to respect you or enjoy working with you. Develop a tough skin for it. Make sure you speak directly with these issue's or cocnerns, don't let it fester. If issue isn't resolved go to the Director.

[valliloves]

A couple of the ladies here gave you really great advice. You have to leave your feelings out of the equation. Go to work to work, not to make friends. Worry about that after you get the time management down. If you are afraid of getting fired, then ask for more orientation. Stop focusing on everyone else and criticizing. Focus on what you are doing and get on. If you have a question that literally makes it impossible for you to continue work, then ask. Don't stop and ask a question every two minutes. Go back through your skills packet and practice them at home on someone. It's normal to have jitters but stop making it so complicated.

Read this thread while you are at it. You can DO THIS!! https://allnurses.com/cna-ma-nursing/help-new-cna-965934.html

[Missingyou, CNA]

If none of this advice is helpful to you and if you are, in fact, already doing all the things sugguested here, then maybe it is just a really toxic environment.

There are places that have extremely low moral. I've worked them.

If you have a contract with this nursing home to work for them for a specific amount of time because they provided your CNA training, I'd find out what would happen if you broke that contract and quit before the time was up. It could be that you would have to pay out of pocket for your training. If that's the only penalty, I'd say it's worth it if you can afford it!

~It sounds like you are very frustrated and unhappy. You even sound as though you are afraid you will be fired.

It's a terrible feeling to know you give it your all and you are only critized for your hard work. Time to work elsewhere where you will be appreciate.

A tip for finding a nursing home where the moral is better:

Search online for the nursing home's rate with the state. If they have a higher rating, that is a good indication that the staff are also happy and it's a good place to work. A low rating is a good indication that conditions are difficult, staff turnover is high and conditions for everyone is a challenge.

You really do have to be tough and be confident...even when you have a moment of uncertainity...

Good luck! YOU GOT THIS>

[12RSg]

Probably one of the best post of advice I've read. I started my first job as a STNA, that's what we call it in Ohio, almost a year ago. I had some of the same issues, my biggest was being 19, no respect because I am young & being treated like I had no idea about anything. Everyone has to start some where though. What I really liked was when you said you have to pick your battles & prioritize your tasks. That is so true & has helped so much when dealing with other aides & patients. I also couldn't agree more when you talked about changing bed linen or changing a soiled brief.

[AspiringLPN2014]

Definitely stand up for yourself! Just finish what you can to the best of your abilities. Nursing homes are a 24 hour facility so whatever doesn't get finished, explain that to the aide coming on after your shift and keep it moving!

[Beautiful_Soul]

I would just let the manager know that even though I'm not the fastest person, I'm doing everything I can to provide good, efficient care. What can they say about that? Honestly, if they fire you that's their problem. I doubt they'd fire you for that but if the bigger problem is the other aides, either ignore them or let them know you don't need help.

But she DOES need their help with 2 assist residents, if she does it alone and the resident falls it's on her. No one should ever have to be afraid to ask for help to their job right.