Now or Never!

What nice coworkers!

Have fun today and soak in all that you can

That was really sweet of them. Hope you enjoy your first day at the new job. Best wishes!

good luck!

What a great group of people!

How have things been going for you?

Dondie

I love my new job! Helping people is right up my alley. I can't believe that I am getting paid for this. My favorite things to do so far are pass trays and give showers.

I am "working" the 2-10 shift. I started on Monday. I arrived early and found A hall and waited for my orientator to arrive. She finally showed and I shadowed her for an hour. Then I was moved to C Hall and given a new orientator. This orientator took one look at me and declared, "You can't keep up with me. No one can." At 5:00 pm this orientator got ****** about something and walked out. She left me and the residents hanging. This was is my first CNA job ever and she bailed on me. I was left alone on a hall with 25 residents. Everyone pleaded with me not to quit. Thankfully the girls on B Hall stepped in and helped me out.

I gave one shower, passed trays, changed briefs, answered lights, and spent alot of time trying to find the linen closet. We have one linen closet and one supply closet and they eluded me.

Tuesday I was assigned B Hall again but I had yet another orientator. This girl told me that she does not like to train and prefers to work alone. She ignored me when I asked questions, and she told me I was doing it wrong whenever I chose to take some initiative. The original orientator that walked out on Monday showed up ready to work. She was taken off of the schedule.

Tuesday I gave three showers, changed briefs, passed trays, and answered lights. One of the residents kissed my hand and told me she already loves me. How do you put a price on that? Another resident said,"Thank you." "For what?," I asked. "Thank you for just being you," was his reply. A third resident attacked me in the shower room. She hit and kicked and scratched and bit. My heart went out to her. The charge nurse said I did a great job. I truly love this job.

Today was my third day. I was given a new hall and a new orientator. Today's orientator actually taught me without making me feel stupid. I now know exactly where the laundry room, linen closet, supply closet, break room, and hopper room are located. I can find the dining room, physical therapy room, and public restrooms. The residents from B Hall looked for me. I made new friends on D Hall today.

I'm off tomorrow. I plan to spend the day memorizing names and room numbers. Also, I need to figure out how to do things in a logical fashion in order to reduce stress on the residents. I have so much to learn. In school we learned a simple transfer between wheelchair and bed. Transferring from wheelchair to toilet is much different. So is wheelchair to shower chair or bed to shower chair. It's exciting to have a new job where there is so much to learn!

Hi Fran,

I haven't started working as a CNA yet (still waiting to take the class), so I don't have any personal experience to share, but I do want to say that I admire your great attitude! It sounds like you are in the perfect profession, as you are so caring with the residents, and don't let the stressful situations bother you. I'm really happy for you, you sound like a wonderful person. :)