Newbie Needs Encouragement!!!

BeJuled · May 22, 2010

Another question I forgot to put in there!! What exactly are you supposed to tell the CNA's coming on for the next shift when you give report?? I haven't witnessed any of the CNA's give report since I've started orientation and I just want to know what the expect if they ask me...

dscott76 · May 22, 2010

First and foremost 2 days IS NOT long enough for orientation. I would say a week at the least. It doesnt matter what you need help with whether it is transferring a patient or just asking a question you ask someone. Dealing with combative and uncooperative patients never gets easy no matter how much experience you have. You just have to find out what works for you. During report you are suppose to tell the next shift what u did during ur shift. I have never given report to fellow CNA'S at my job for routine things but I do inform them of things that happen out of the ordinary for example a fall, a skin tear or bruise that was reported, or someone being uncooperative to prepare them ahead of time. I hope this helps.

BeJuled · May 22, 2010

yes it does help thank you for the reply!! So do you think I should ask the DSD (director of staff development) for another day or two of orientation?? I just don't want them to think I won't be able to handle the job..

Jen{NAR} · May 22, 2010

I think if you feel that you need more time to learn the job correctly and safely then I think you should ask for more orientation. Personally, I got 4 days of orientation, before I was fed to the wolves. Advice for how to handle and get through the next couple of days((it's really more like months))

1) Breathe.

2) Realize that you are not super human and no one is perfect--just do your best and enjoy that you are able to help others in their times of need.

3) Ask for help whenever you need--it is better to be safe then sorry ((however, just because you ask for help doesn't mean you are always going to get it in a timely manner)).

4) Don't blame yourself when your first resident falls on your watch ((it will be hard not to, but if you had all the safety precautions in place it is NOT your fault))

5) Learn to communicate with your residents and talk to them while you are working with them. It will make the job easier for both you and the resident. And it helps with the nerves...((believe me I have had the strangest conversations while wiping someone's bottom)).

6) Smile and leave everything ((almost everything)) at the door when you leave your shift...if you bring it home you will burnout super fast.

Enjoy

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · May 22, 2010

You need more orientation. 2 days is not enough.

In time you'll learn how to deal with combative residents. Some of them are like that with everyone, all the time, and you'll need 2 people for care. Others are probably just reacting negatively to you because they don't know you, or you seem nervous, or you're being too cheerful, or not cheerful enough, etc. Once you get to know these residents and how they respond to different approaches, you'll be fine. In the meantime, if it's been a minute or 2 and you're getting nowhere, ask for help. And watch what your helper does. When I was in training my trainer dealt with a lot of combative people. She was always whining at them- "Come ON Henry! Knock it off!" Stuff like that. I was mortified. I thought everyone was combative just because. Then when I was on my own they were just fine with me... because I wasn't yelling and whining.

You can ask other CNAs for tricks too. I've learned a lot and I've also been able to share things I've discovered about the residents. Like one woman who screams at you- if you tell her she's gonna wake up the baby, she stops. Another resident who wants to sit on the toilet all day needs to be told that the maid is waiting to clean the bathroom, and she'll get right out without her usual kicking and screaming. A lot of residents don't want to take their nourishments but if you hand them the cup and take their table away, they drink it right down.

Definitely ask for help with transfers, but make sure everything is ready beforehand. ie don't bring another CNA into the room and make her wait while you put the gait belt on and take down the bed. That is a waste of their time and therefore annoying. People generally roll people in bed by themselves. I used to ask for help rolling heavier people and I got some strange looks, so I learned to just do it myself. It's easier anyway, once you get some muscles, to just diy instead of searching all over for someone to help you.

Report is usually just a quick tidbit on each resident. Most of the time the CNAs all know these residents like the back of their hand. Obviously you don't, so it's hard to know what's relevant. If you get report from the previous shift and/or your nurse, write down what they tell you and you can just pass that along to the next shift.

Ev1987 · May 22, 2010

I don't think 2 days or orientation is enough. What were they thinking? If you don't feel comfortable asking the DSD for more time, then I would just ask for help, advice and assistance from co-workers. You have some that are willing to help out, and some that are a bit standoffish. Whatever the situation, try to remain calm, cool, collected and positive. Through time, things will become more familiar. Just expect to be stressed out for a little while. Please don't be afraid to ask for help, and good luck with everything.

eveningsky339, LPN · May 23, 2010

I had over a month of orientation. But in my defense, I was still a student.

There should be two phases of orientation. In the first phase, you shadow a CNA and give them a hand when needed. In the second, the CNA shadows you.

BeJuled · May 24, 2010

Thank you for all of the input!!! I will take it all into consideration and probably ask them for at least another day of orientation...