mcbn2u

I work as a GNA in a nursing home and yesterday while I was working one of the residents passed away. She wasn't my patient that day but I would walk passed her room a lot and you could just see she was close to passing away. I've never seen someone close to death so to see someone breathing the way she was with her eyes wide was really hard for me. I actually had to enter the room because I was passing out dinner trays and I was giving one to her roommate. She was still alive when I walked in there and about 20 minutes later another GNA told me she had passed away. I'm really beating myself up over this because she was alone this entire time. I don't think anyone should be alone during a time like this and I did think earlier in my shift to go in there and be with her but I didn't because I had other patients to tend to and you just don't know how much time they actually have left. I've heard of patients passing away while I've been at work but this is the first time I've really seen someone nearing death. I know I shouldn't beat myself up over this but it's hard. I would love to hear how other deal with death because I know working at a nursing home I'm going to encounter this again.

I can relate to this so much. I recently watched this video and it has some really good points. She talks about pushing yourself to do things you're uncomfortable with. In your situation, telling you're family. I know it may be hard but it's kind of like jumping off the deep end. It's scary but in many cases you will be surprised of the outcome, I know I was. Before I even applied to nursing schools I thought I would be rejected from every school, even though I make good grades I was so tough on myself that it made me not even want to apply. But I pushed myself to do so and I got in! Pushing myself is what has really been helping me lately, it's like pressing send on that risky text, but once it's sent you can move forward from there. Another thing I personally did was actually write down a list of your accomplishments and things you like about yourself, even maybe have your boyfriend or mother to do this. I know I thought "wow there's nothing really special about me" until I started thinking back on what I've done. I don't believe you're setting yourself up for failure but I do think you should try these confidence "tricks" I also follow another youtube account (sean dent) and he makes a lot of nursing related videos that have helped me in the past. I hope I've helped you a little!

This was my first day off orientation. Although when I was in orientation I was on the morning shift (7-3) on a different unit and I worked 3-11 on my first day off orientation so many things were a lot different and confusing for me. Thank you for your advice it really helped!

So yesterday was my first day at a LTC facility and I feel like I had such a bad day. I may be over exaggerating because most of the day was pretty much good. When I first got there I was so lost, which is common I guess. I felt like everyone thought I was dumb because I kept asking where things were and when I had to report something to the nurse they'd tell me to ask a different one, but I don't know anyone's names yet so I was just as confused as I was before The one thing that I've been thinking about all day and is the reason I'm writing this post was a situation that happened with a patient and their family members. I saw her light was on and I came in to ask what she needed. She needed to use the bed pan so I went ahead and got her all set up to do so. When I put her on they told me that she was on wrong, even though she looked perfectly fine to me, and they told me to get another NA because it doesn't look like I know what I'm doing (they knew I was new here). I got another NA and that NA looked confused on why I even got her because I didn't really need her, the family just requested it. All she did was just reposition her a little so maybe the family would be a little happier. Then that NA left and I continued working. I gave her her hand wipes, toilet tissue, and her call bell and asked her to call me when she is all finished up. I also asked if she needed help cleaning up because I didn't know what she is capable of doing. I guess the family interpreted that as me saying "wipe yourself" and they started yelling at me saying "she can't do that herself!". All I was doing was checking if she could or not, I am more than happy to help if she cannot :/ This is when I started getting nervous and stressed and I knew they could tell. I also had another patient across the hall that had called me that needed her diaper changed. So I gave my current patient the call bell and went to the room to help get her diaper changed. I finished up quick and went to the room I was just in with the family. When I got in there they started saying I had left her there for too long and I was with them first. I was just trying to manage everyone I had as best as I could. Well while I was gone I guess they were complaining about me asking other NA "why I don't know what I'm doing". I finally finished up and a little later another NA pulled me aside and told me that the family had complained that I didn't provide enough privacy. I know I pulled the curtain first thing when I started assisting her with the bedpan but family members kept coming in and out so I guess the curtain got pulled back a little when that happen. I wish they would of told me when this was happening because I just could of pulled it back a little more again instead of them going and complaining about me to everyone It was just my first day and now I feel like no one is going to take me seriously because of this and because of how lost I was at the beginning. All though I did a good job with all my other patients I can't stop thinking about this. I start nursing school this fall and I'm already doubting myself, I know I probably shouldn't but any advice on this situation would be great!

I am currently a CNA/GNA student and I'll be starting nursing school in the fall. My instructor decided to point out people's weaknesses and strengths in the class. She pointed out that I don't make much eye contact because I'm "unprepared" but it's really because I'm shy. Then she was talking to someone right next to me telling her she's the smartest in the class, knowing I could hear. I'm not saying I want to be the best in the class, but it still made me feel a little dumb. Then in clinical I kinda just stand there and listen to what they are showing us to take in all the information. My clinical partner tends to jump in and try to be very hands on, but I guess I'm too timid because I don't know if I should join in and help or watch what she is trying to teach us. But again today after clinical she pointed out how shy I am and how my partner was super ready and comfortable, so it made me feel worse. I know I'm very shy, but I also know how to connect with people and I open up soon after talking to someone, it just takes me longer than others. I want to know has anyone been in a situation similar to this and what can I do to improve? Thanks :)