Noticing things and have some beginners questions...

[clarinets, CNA]

After reading some of the topics on this site as well as having an interesting experience with my first and second job I have begun to notice some things and behaviors with the job. For instance, in my first job in which I left after 6 months, and somewhat into my 2nd job, I would ask questions and some nurses would just walk away. Anyway that was just an example. As I am a beginning certified CNA and want to become an RN, I have some questions about the job.

1) Is there such thing as an orientation and training? At my last 2 orientation and training, it was like "sink or swim".Management told me ask questions as the staff don't want to bother with it. Is it this commonplace at a nursing job for nurses or CNA's in training?

2) I notice most staff take their frustrations out on newbies. (not to blame, but just noticing) They did that with me too. How do I handle this?

3) For someone, like myself, that has had and adjusted to verbal instruction for most of my life, how do I change to the NON-verbal instruction teaching style from the lead nurses or caregivers?

4) I am currently in a home, nursing/group, is a hospital any better or worse?

I don't mind the "sink or swim" mode but it is like a lose lose situation for me as a newbie. I am only human, so I am bound to make mistakes, especially as a newbie.

I ask a question, I get yelled at, I don't ask I get yelled at... Hmmm..

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

1) Is there such thing as an orientation and training?

Orientation is your introduction to the facility, your coworkers, your job duties/routine. Training is the process of teaching you a particular skill. As one who has taken a CNA course and passed the CNA certification exam, you are expected to already know basic CNA skills, so when an employer hires you, they are not expecting, nor are they obligated, to have to teach you these basic skills. When you apply for the job, you are telling them that you have the skill set to do the job. They *are* obligated to orient you, meaning give you a period of time to get to know your physical environment, your co-workers, residents, and routines. This doesn't necessarily mean someone is going to take you by the hand and explain everything to you. You might actually have to take the initiative to learn the job through observation.

2) I notice most staff take their frustrations out on newbies. (not to blame, but just noticing) They did that with me too. How do I handle this?

If this happens on an isolated or every once in a while basis, then the problem is probably with the other person. If it keeps happening consistently in different contexts, then you might want to consider whether the problem might be YOU, and how you are coming across to other people that causes them to treat you this way.

3) For someone, like myself, that has had and adjusted to verbal instruction for most of my life, how do I change to the NON-verbal instruction teaching style from the lead nurses or caregivers?

You watch what they do and you do it too. If the other CNAs arrive to work, get their assignment, then go to start their rounds, then you do that too. Don't expect someone to take you by the hand and tell you step by step what you are supposed to be doing.

4) I am currently in a home, nursing/group, is a hospital any better or worse?

Not better or worse, just different. If you've struggled with your last two jobs, you'll probably struggle at the hospital, too. The hospital is a fast paced place and the other CNAs aren't going to have the time to lead you around and explain everything to you. They are going to expect that after a brief introduction to the environment and job duties, you are going to be able to jump in and start working.

I don't mind the "sink or swim" mode but it is like a lose lose situation for me as a newbie. I am only human, so I am bound to make mistakes, especially as a newbie.

We *all* make mistakes, especially when we're new. Anybody that tells you they've never made a mistake is lying to you. What is more telling is how you handle feedback. Feedback should be an opportunity to improve your performance. It's easy to feel defensive when being given feedback and to want to offer reasons for why you did what you did, or to say "hey, I'm new, of course I don't know everything". That is a bad strategy. When given feedback, you should thank the person for letting you know and assure them that you will do better next time. Do not offer excuses.

I ask a question, I get yelled at, I don't ask I get yelled at... Hmmm..

To me, "yelling" means the person is shouting. Are you saying you're being shouted at on a regular basis? Or by "yelling" do you mean the person is simply giving you negative feedback in a less than courteous manner?

[HeatherGurl84]

After reading some of the topics on this site as well as having an interesting experience with my first and second job I have begun to notice some things and behaviors with the job. For instance, in my first job in which I left after 6 months, and somewhat into my 2nd job, I would ask questions and some nurses would just walk away. Anyway that was just an example. As I am a beginning certified CNA and want to become an RN, I have some questions about the job.

1) Is there such thing as an orientation and training? At my last 2 orientation and training, it was like "sink or swim".Management told me ask questions as the staff don't want to bother with it. Is it this commonplace at a nursing job for nurses or CNA's in training?

2) I notice most staff take their frustrations out on newbies. (not to blame, but just noticing) They did that with me too. How do I handle this?

3) For someone, like myself, that has had and adjusted to verbal instruction for most of my life, how do I change to the NON-verbal instruction teaching style from the lead nurses or caregivers?

4) I am currently in a home, nursing/group, is a hospital any better or worse?

I don't mind the "sink or swim" mode but it is like a lose lose situation for me as a newbie. I am only human, so I am bound to make mistakes, especially as a newbie.

I ask a question, I get yelled at, I don't ask I get yelled at... Hmmm..

1)I have worked in both clinic settings and hospital settings, and did have a pretty thorough orientation and training period with both (6 month training/orientation for clinic and 90 days for hospital). I did have preceptors and was encouraged to ask as many questions as possible, because most things you will learn HANDS ON. I did however, deal with staff also who actually looked at me like I had two heads when I asked a question. Even dealt with being called "stupid" in front of staff. But you know what? You have to hold your head high and never let anyone make you feel inferior. it is better to ask a question than guess, and deal with the results of a serious mistake later. Of course orientation/training varies from place to place, but you want an environment that fosters learning!!

2) As for staff taking frustrations out on you, stand up for yourself. Speak up when you are frustrated and let them know your thoughts & feelings. You will be respected for it. If it continues or worsens, let management know. You are learning and every nurse was there at one time, sometimes they just need a reminder. You should not be anyone's punching bag.

3) Non-verbal teaching styles: practice, practice, practice. Are you talking about learning skills by following what another nurse does? Ask questions and try to make visual notes to yourself.

4) Hospital setting can be better or worse depending on your take on it. You have high or low nurse to patient ratios depending on the unit, many tasks to complete, physicians that may not always be pleasant to deal with, etc. I am a nurse that works better in a clinic setting, and dont function well as a hospital nurse. You have to find what works best for you. Some nurses ADORE hospital work, while others do not want anything to do with it.

Dealing with "nurses that eat their young" is never easy but keep in mind that everyone was learning at some point in their career. No one came out of nursing school knowing EVERYTHING and if they did, well then mistakes were on the horizon.

You can do this! Hang in there

[itrust]

After reading some of the topics on this site as well as having an interesting experience with my first and second job I have begun to notice some things and behaviors with the job. For instance, in my first job in which I left after 6 months, and somewhat into my 2nd job, I would ask questions and some nurses would just walk away. Anyway that was just an example. As I am a beginning certified CNA and want to become an RN, I have some questions about the job.

1) Is there such thing as an orientation and training? At my last 2 orientation and training, it was like "sink or swim".Management told me ask questions as the staff don't want to bother with it. Is it this commonplace at a nursing job for nurses or CNA's in training?

Every facility is different, so it behooves a facility to "train" their CNAs. To assume that every CNA learned everything they will need for the job in a certification course is silly. I am a CNA and I am currently employed by a hospital that orientated and trained me for the position I was hired. My orientation was only one day, but my training was for two weeks. During that time frame I was assigned and shadowed a veteran CNA. The CNA that I was assigned to showed me how to do things and offered tips. During those two weeks, I also had to meet with the Education Department and I was provided training on different machinery including E-Z lifts, beds, glucose meters, and etc.

Nurses are liable for their patients, to assume a "new" CNA knows all the basic skills may be futile to the patient. When I was new, prior to delegation of a task the nurse would always ask my comfort level with the delegation. If I said I did not feel comfortable, she would assist me. I have had jobs that did not provide proper training and in the end it's the patient that you are caring for that suffers the most. If you do not feel comfortable, quit. It's their lost. Unfortunately what you described is becoming the norm. About the attitude it is very common. CNA = hard work + low pay. My weapon of choice is kindness, eventually they soften up.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

So now I've just gone back and read your posts for the last several months, they all sound pretty much the same, and it doesn't seem that you have changed your outlook on the people you work with, the jobs you have, or your responsibility for the poor evals you must be getting. Your communications skills here are rudimentary, and I don't get the opinion that you are expressing yourself well at work or understanding what they tell you.

Suggestion: Your state has a department of vocational rehabilitation where you can get counseling and advice on work-related issues and help choosing a better career path. Check them out.

[HeatherGurl84]

So now I've just gone back and read your posts for the last several months, they all sound pretty much the same, and it doesn't seem that you have changed your outlook on the people you work with, the jobs you have, or your responsibility for the poor evals you must be getting. Your communications skills here are rudimentary, and I don't get the opinion that you are expressing yourself well at work or understanding what they tell you.

Suggestion: Your state has a department of vocational rehabilitation where you can get counseling and advice on work-related issues and help choosing a better career path. Check them out.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

It is what I call the "OH NO!!!) teaching method. OH NO! You should have done it this way.

Very poor teaching and creates all sorts of problems, but not everyone is a teacher and most facilities will not hire someone to do that job. You could be an audial learner, which means you may have trouble with online coursework or with written material. Try to talk it out with someone. Write down questions and get into a discussion. If your co-workers are not helping you learn, point out to the manager that this is decreasing your productivity. I wish you lots of luck.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

So now I've just gone back and read your posts for the last several months, they all sound pretty much the same, and it doesn't seem that you have changed your outlook on the people you work with, the jobs you have, or your responsibility for the poor evals you must be getting. Your communications skills here are rudimentary, and I don't get the opinion that you are expressing yourself well at work or understanding what they tell you.

Suggestion: Your state has a department of vocational rehabilitation where you can get counseling and advice on work-related issues and help choosing a better career path. Check them out.

This is kind of where I was coming from in my response. It seems like this is a recurring problem and not an isolated incident. When you have the same thing happening again and again, that's a clue that maybe you should be asking yourself how YOU are contributing to the problem.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

If you are startinng to get your certification as a CNA, the training itself should teach you how to be able to do your job effectively. Sometimes it is a matter of one thinking that it is all basic "you should know this stuff" and that is not always the case.

The rest is in how you set up your day, your shift. I was always told (in the dark ages) that it is not unlike how you would set up your own day. Everyone in your care needs to get up, get dressed, washed, pericare,(is it their shower day?) and where they need to be at any given time. This is something that you should be doing on your own, and not be nurse directed. This is what you will learn when you take a certification class, and you are certified as a nurse assistant.

Anything extra (could you take such and so to the bathroom) can and is nurse directed--and to be good at your job, you need to keep track of the patients that are in your care, and what their schedules are.

Being a CNA is back breaking work, and very hard. I admire those who do the job. I would be lost without them in my own professional life. And I am not shy about telling them that. Often. No one knows the patients like a CNA does--they are on an intimate level with patients that as a nurse I don't even have the opportunity to be that deep that often. They are my eyes and ears. And I would assume that they know what needs to be done when, and if there's extra, well, we can talk about that if the time comes.

I think all in all you will approach things much differently when you actually take the certification class and get more informed of expectations and flow.

Good luck!

[clarinets, CNA]

Yup..gotta work on my communication skills...

[clarinets, CNA]

Thanks for your help...I did get what I needed...

[clarinets, CNA]

I am certified.. Again I gotta work on my communication skills...