nightmare jobs working as a cna!

[sandygirl123, CNA]

I worked on a floor that was pretty hard it was an orthopedic unit which we had a lot of newly hip and knee replacements. I was the only CNA on the floor every night. There was 26 patients on that unit and 6 nurse's. Oh may it was a nightmare! The nurses did not help much I would have to get all of the vitals by myself. This included the whole vital set. It would not have taken so long probably only 20 mins. But, I was the only one on the floor and answering all of the call balls which half of the time was for pain meds. We had a vocera system which would have made it easier but, none of the nurses would use it so that left me running up and down the hall relaying messages like I had nothing better to do. After I charted all of the vitals in the computer now it was time to turn and change everyone or take everyone to the bathroom. After that I had to fill up ice of the people that had polar care it was to help out with the knee replacements. That took at least 20 mins counting on how many I had. Then I had to bathe at least 4 patients for the daylight crew. It felt like I could not get everything done like I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I was okay until I came back and there was a new rule from the director of that unit. It was that the CNA's were not allowed to sit down but, the nurses were! That was the straw that broke the camels back for real! One thing that was good about the hospital was that it was a union job! Unions are a good thing to have don't let your employer tell you elsewise. I told the union rep what was going on I don't know what was said to the director but, the chairs were placed back rule quick! I know that I am complaining a lot lol. But, I actually do want to go back into the health care field but ,this time if I have the opportunity to get a union job I would take it! And I would not put up with working short like that. maybe every once in a while but, not every night with no help. My advise is to get a union job but, make sure that its a good union because they will stand up for you in time of need.

[strawberryluv, BSN, RN]

I know how you feel. When there was 3 people and 40+ patients...it nearly killed me. I was running around like a lunatic!

It was very hard to get everything done and care was down to the basics of making sure they are dry, in bed, with a gown with

their alarms on them (if the patient had one).

Try to not think about the time but the task. Get it done and move onto the next. Set up all your materials in the beginning of the shift so you just have to grab them in the patient's room. If your wing allows some kind of "care shelf" in the middle of the floor then

stock it up with all your necessities.

Get first shower right before meal, second shower after. Focus on your totals first then move to your assists etc.

[hookyarnandblanket]

What started as a great CNA job turned into the catalyst for me finally taking my mental health needs seriously. I worked the blast year there as a shower aide. A relative of the DON and several of her minions practically got away with murder and ran the whole place. Those of us who did our job and did it well had to do our jobs plus pick up the slack of the lazy bones who chose not to do their work. We were also held accountable for the things everyone else did but we weren't doing. We had to do showers (usually 10 to 15; we were scheduled only as shower aides), work the floor, and do the dietary department's jobs as well because the couldn't keep dietary staff. I finally left; I have a great job now where I'm valued and respected as an asset. The other place? Well, they probably will manage to weasel out of getting shut down again. Makes me sad for the residents there. They deserve better.

[LL143KnB, BSN, RN]

Can you report these places to the state or departments of health? This sounds horrible not only for you but the patients

[hookyarnandblanket]

The place where I worked failed their state inspection last year but were given multiple opportunities to shape up. They had at least three investigations of abuse and neglect and nothing was done. I think state investigators know there aren't many places for these people to be placed if the facility were to be shut down and so they keep giving them another chance.