Orientating new staff- help!

northernguy · Jan 9, 2012

For LTC we were supposed to explain everything and let the orientee watch the first day. It changed as to whether they were allowed to help with transfers, sometimes they were and sometimes they werent. After the first day they were allowed to do stuff themselves while we watched and monitored them, but we still had to be there whenever they transferred someone. Some skills we could sign off on, some the RNs had to sign off.

The first day when we were supposed to let them do everything on their own was usually rough because some were just really slow and timid and it was hard not to fall behind. If they were really slow I would have them do cares on one person, then the next person I would do most of it while they watched, then give them a crack at the next person on their own. There really isnt a one size fits all way to orient someone, how things go depends on if they have any experience and how quick they catch on or how outgoing they are.

I also had a couple that were experienced aides and didnt take kindly to being shown how to do stuff or monitored by another aide. This could present a headache too because they would run off to answer call lights, doing things the way their last facility did them, which was sometimes not how management wanted things done at this place.

Ultimately there is only so much you do. I remember going over and over things with someone, then every time you said OK its all you, they were like a deer in the headlights. Never get impatient or mean though. Just do what you can to teach them without falling hopelessly behind and be honest with staff and management if you have to grade the person. I also try to help people who are struggling after orientation when its sink or swim, as long as they arent lazy.

Ev1987 · Jan 9, 2012

I don't really agree with using the trainee as an extra pair of hands, putting them to work on one task while you do everything else behind their back, etc. They are training to learn the ropes at your facility. So they need to get the big picture on what goes on, and how. A brand new CNA will probably need a little bit of direction on ADLs, but not much. this CNA just used me as a means to get her work done faster so she could goof off that much sooner.

Everything else behind their back? When I orientate a new hire, the orientee shadows me. I want them by my side at all times. Not to only assist me with changing a resident (help turning resident side-by-side), but to also give a perspective of the tasks that I have to complete on a daily basis, in a given time frame. I wouldn't ask my orientee to toilet a resident in another room out of eyesight, because there is a chance the resident could fall in the process. I like to explain in detail, and through visual learning everything that I have learned and been taught.

I can relate to your story pretty well, though. I remember when I was on orientation, my preceptor would ask me to complete a task in another room. When I was finished, she had left the unit and I had no idea where she was. I had to go around asking people "Have you seen (fill in the blank)?" for an hour in a half straight. :nono:

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Jan 9, 2012

^ Well that was in response to someone else's comment,

"One trick that some aides at my facility use is to send the OT on a break alone and then you do your job as fast as possible before they come back. "

And that's just what that is- a dirty trick.

Ev1987 · Jan 9, 2012

Yeah, and even that concept confuses me. How is sending an aide on break, and then trying to complete the work yourself, 'using the trainee as an extra set of hands, and putting them to work on one task?' Orientating a new CNA doesn't have to be 'the end of the world.' I don't understand... just try to get along and work with one another.

Ev1987 · Jan 9, 2012

I don't understand... just try to get along and work with one another.

But that seems like it's always easier said than done, right? :uhoh3: