bigbadduck

:yeahthat: I don't even like "touching" my scrubs to put them in the washer. :barf01:

:yeahthat:

I don't have a book or anything. I don't know the "routine". The turnover rate in this facility is HUGE. The girl that was training me had to most seniority at 2 years. Her instructions included things like, we have to take out XXXX's catheter. I had a cow! What? I asked her three times? Take it out???? When we got there, it was just an empty. No gloves, either. Trust me, and I don't mean to be righteous. I'm 53 years old and I know when I'm being picked on (the new kid) and when someone is being lazy. The CNA training me WAS asked if she wanted to do it. I want to do the right thing for these residents. Most all of them didn't ask to be there either. I want to make their last years pleasant. Once I learn the routine, I'll be working on my own. Oh, and we don't have our OWN residents. We have an entire wing that we just go through all the room and tend to who is next.

Oh...and I forgot to say, I did give a shower last night to someone and the CNA left me alone again to go to lunch and the poor woman had diarrhea FOREVER in the shower! I just wanted to cry for her :heartbeat.

Okay, I am a true newbie. I have worked 3 days shifts and 2 evenings in my two weeks at a LTC facility. I have never done this type of work before and I am not certified. I haven't started any classes, but I have gone through a two day orientation of the facility. The idea is that I do "on-the-job" training for my probationary period, then start my classes to be certified. So I must be certified (federal-law) within 4 months. Now here is my dilemma. I am being "trained" by CNA's that are doing things differently from each other. One will tell me one thing, another something totally different. I am not shadowing. I am doing the work. On the evening shift, I am being trained by a CNA that is lazy!! She will tell me to put a nightgown on a lady that has all kinds of IV tubes, feeding tubes, etc. in a wheelchair and then disappear from the room. I couldn't find her for 10 minutes last night. I had no idea what I was doing. The night before we were supposed to give 2 baths. Before dinner (when the shift is slow), I suggested maybe we should do the baths now. She replied, I'm tired or they like their baths after dinner. Okay, I'm being trained. Well, after dinner we got so busy putting residents to bed, it was 9:10 p.m. and she said, well we don't have time to do baths. That's okay, she said, they don't care. Then she told me to chart. I don't know how to, don't know the residents well enough to, etc. I was really struggled and "bothering" people for help. I was supposed to get off at 10 p.m., and at 10, she said we have to do ROUNDS. Sorry, I just don't know what that means! When she told me, I was furious!!! Meanwhile, she still had time for her break and texting her friends. Well, long story, I know...the nurse wrote her up and now it's my fault (they all said). The following night, she didn't do restorative care on a resident, got the resident up at 10 p.m. (mind you we are supposed to leave then) and convinced another CNA to do it for her. HOW IN THE WORLD AM I SUPPOSED TO BE TRAINED PROPERLY??? And how can other CNA's snap at me and say, you've worked 5 days, you should know the ropes by now???? And blame me. Now I'm afraid of the other CNA's and nurses! After I get home at night, I am exhausted and in tears. I know this work is my calling. I know I can overcome this. I just think some CNA's are working against me and now I'm afraid for my job.

:wlcmhnds: I'm working as a CNA, although not certified yet. I have only worked for two weeks at a long term care facility. I'm 53 years old and this is my first time working in this field. I went to community college when I was in my early twenties, majoring in health, then my husband and I found out we were expecting. Well, I had three children and homeschooled them. My youngest just graduated from high school and now I'm finally taking that step out in faith. I have worked 3 day shifts and 2 evening. Still really scared and I'm post on another thread why. Anyway, welcome to our group and thank you for all your help! Patricia

Their huge loss! Yes, enjoy your weekend!!!! You deserve it. And kudos for letting them down on your response! Now they really know it's their loss!!

:yeahthat: Too funny texastaz!

:redbeathe Not the end. Keep us informed. Use any obstacles as stepping stones to your dreams. :icon_hug:

Stay. Your job is more secure than retail. Most aren't getting an increase at all. Stay.

the city i live in (@ 14,000 people) pay their starting cna's $9.10. they only have 3 facilities here so the pay is the same in each. the facility where i work has vacation/sick leave, 401k, 2 pairs of scrubs, and a back brace included in the hiring package. the facility is really nice, too. i'd let my family live there. and every year there is a cola raise, too. so...it all depends on where you live and your cost of living there.

oh wow! have you ever gone somewhere or done something that you just knew was just right. and experienced that peace? peace that you made the right decision. that you were where god wanted you to be? that was today! :redbeathe thanks for asking. i'm so there.

I am 53 years old and was hired as a CNA at a LTC in my town. I am SO excited!! I went through two interviews and shadowed a CNA and knew that this is where I should be! I just want to say to everyone out there who thinks they are too old to start something new OR to follow that dream, if it is meant to be, it will be. No matter how old you are. Whether you started your schooling in your early twenties and didn't finish, you CAN return to your first love in your fifties! Never be afraid to catch that dream! Tomorrow is my first day! Orientation. I haven't even been trained yet. Can anyone tell me what it will be like training in a LTC. I know I'll find all this out tomorrow, but I'm so excited! I'll be a CNA by summer!!

:clphnds: congratulations!! thanks for your post, too!!

You could have gone in anyway and asked to see the nurse. Leave it up to them whether or not you were able to work. That's what I would have done.

asclepios, :tku:[color=#2f4f4f] we need cna's like you! first of all, although it's sad to say, this field is just like any other speciality career. there are people in it that just don't belong. eventually they are weeded out. all you can do is be there to make your resident's life meaningful as well as provide the best nursing care you can. don't police the other cna's "attitudes". it's so not worth the stress. you have enough stress of your own. those cna's [color=#2f4f4f]won't be there long anyway. be there for your new "family" and make the best of it. :redbeathe

absolutely! there are plenty of males. go for it! they need you, too!! :heartbeat your caring is already showing!!

oh my goodness! i am so glad the scrubs i'll be wearing will be burgundy (required uniform)!! :omy: and so glad this subject was brought up!

i'm 53 and starting my cna classes on march 25, 2009. life has just begun! :redbeathe

:flwrhrts: and :icon_hug:

thank you so much!!!! :heartbeat

Thank You! I am a member of bookmooch.com and just mooched a textbook. That should keep me busy for a while. Thanks again!!

Thanks! Yes, I do know what I'm getting into. My daughter was a CNA for 3 years at the same facility. I haven't received a manual yet. I was just wondering if there was anything I can pick up at the library that can get me started. I'm sure I'll get all my text books and stuff when I start on 3/25.

poor baby. i'll pray for her. tell her to never, ever, ever give up!! :heartbeat

just gave my two week notice at my grocery store job after accepting a position as cna. i start the job/training on 3/25/09. so excited....yet so scared. i'm not exactly a youngster, but i consider it an honor to be able to make a difference in someone's life. what can i do for the next two weeks before i start my training to better prepare myself for the classes/clinicals? any books to read? any advice? thanks so much!