kungfu_panda

I agree with this 100%! It's already enough having to do ADL's for 8-10 residents! Why do CNAs have to do everyone else's work?

I'm a very petite, skinny girl so I can't do a lot of heavy lifting. I usually ask the RNA to transfer residents for me . Or I use a lift. One time I did try to transfer somebody from the bed to wheelchair by myself. My back ached for 3 days...and I learned my lesson after that. And I don't always raise the bed either because I don't have time to think about the little things when I have 10 people to get up in the morning!

Hi Comfortably_Numb, First, I just want to say THANK YOU for your post because I'm in the EXACT situation you're in. I'm 22 years old too! I got my CNA license recently and have been working in a skilled nursing facility for a month. I absolutely hate working there, especially after yesterday when the charge nurse pointed out how slow I've been working in front of everybody in the break room. She said, "What's wrong with you? You spend too much time with each resident. Just do what you need to do and move on to the next resident." I didn't mind the criticism. I know I work slow and I've been working on moving faster, but what got to me was how she put me on the spot in front of all the other CNA's. After she said that, the entire room fell silent and I just felt HUMILIATED. Later on, I broke down and cried in the bathroom. I felt incompetent enough trying to keep up with other CNA's, but now the entire facility knows I'm incompetent. Right now, I work as an On-Call so I never know when I work or which assignment I have until a couple hours before my shift. Each time I go into work, I always have new residents and new things to learn about each of them. This is part of the reason why I'm so slow. Everyday, I dread being called to work... I've thought about quitting several times, but each time I tell myself to stay positive and maybe next time will be better. So far, that's not happening. I don't know what to do...it's really not that big of a deal if I do quit though because I'll be starting school in August. I guess I just don't want to be known as "the girl who quit just after a month" and be the new gossip topic of the facility... So how are you doing at your work place? Are things getting any better? I'm so glad I found somebody like you I can relate my experience with. That's the reason why I love this site so much. You can always find somebody who is going through a similar situation you're going through. Allnurses is my remedy to a bad day at work. :)

I think having to teach students is more help than burden. For one, you have extra sets of hands to help you with residents (especially with transfers). And two, you're helping them also by teaching them. When I was doing clinicals, I was grateful for everything the CNA's taught me. And I have passed on what I've learned to the students. I guess it's kind of my way of giving back to the CNA's who taught me. On the other hand, some people might think that teaching students would be a burden because they have to stop and explain what they're doing and why they're doing it. As a result, this may slow down their work pace a little. But I don't think that's such a big deal as long as you get all your work done.

So I read the thread about 2nd shift CNA's and I decided to start one for day-shifters, like me. I'm a brand, spanking new CNA so I still don't know what the heck I'm doing 70% of the time. What are the responsibilities of day shift CNA's and in what order do you do them in? Oh, and what exactly does "doing rounds" mean? is it just going around and changing everyone's diaper?

Today was my last day of orientation and tomorrow I will be working by myself! I'm nervous! I'm scared that I'm not ready. I should be ready since I had 3 days of training, but I guess I just don't feel confident enough. I'm afraid I might cause a resident to fall cuz I'm not a strong person (5"1' 100 lbs) But the biggest worry is not finishing my work in time, especially in the morning. I'm still a little slow cuz sometimes I have to stop and think about what to do next, or I have to run back and get something I forgot. `sigh. Oh well, I guess I'm just gonna have to do my best. I don't even know which residents I gonna get...Wish me luck...

Haha, hi houdini! Congrats to you! Are you still waiting for Samuel Merritt's response? I got a rejection letter yesterday but that's ok. I got into my first choice. It was funny though, because the letter said I got rejected from the Spring session when I applied for the Summer session. Maybe I marked the wrong program??? Oh well...

Oh man...I feel so bad for all you guys waiting! I guess I was REALLY lucky then. My interviewer told me I wouldn't hear anything until early April...but I received an acceptance phone call the day after my interview for CM and my official acceptance letter last week! I was so happy!!! I know this probably isn't the most helpful post, but I do hope that all of you get in!

Good luck!

I got my CNA license last Saturday. I was so excited about working right away, but nowhere seems to be hiring right now...I've called at least 15-20 facilities (haven't tried hospitals yet) and they all said they're not hiring, but they're accepting applications. Is this common for a brand new CNA? I don't know...I just need some work ASAP. How long did it take for you guys to find your first job? Oh yea, some were hiring on-call CNA's. Should I apply for that? or do I probably need experience before I could do that?

I can finally post on this thread because I just got accepted to Samuel Merritt University for the ELMSN-Case Management!!!!!! For the longest time, I've been reading this thread and wished I was one of you guys, but now I finally am!! I'm so happy! Congratulations to everyone!!

Which school did you apply to? Questions differ among different schools. During my interview at Samuel Merritt University, I was asked: What do you think is an important issue in health care? I said the cost of health insurance. Give an example of a special accomplishment/achievement. I described a difficult situation I had with a patient as I was working as a CNA. Describe a difficult time in your life and how did you overcome it. A death in the family. I dealt with it by staying positive. What role do you think nurses play in health care? A very important role. And other questions about the program I was applying to like, why did you choose this program? What interests you about nursing?

*Sigh* I just got back from an interview for CM...I feel somewhat relieved, but it's not over yet...I have to wait a month before acceptance letters go out! The interviewer said I was a good match for the program and that she will fight for my acceptance. Is she serious or is she just making me feel better?

I volunteer at a Children's Hospital and the most patient care I do is play with the kids and basically babysit them when their parents are away. So I decided to get my CNA license. Haven't taken the test yet though, but it will be soon!

early to mid-March?! wow, that's kinda fast. I'm so anxious! Good luck to everyone!!!