AmandaZamar

Hey everyone, I know this may be a little embaressing for me but this is supposed to be a support site right? so here I go *deep breath* I just got certified in November 2010 and upon completing I continued to finish another trade (I go to a trade school) the trade I am completing and basically done with is office admin (microsoft stuff). I haven't worked yet as a CNA and starting to look for a job, (I didn't want to make a commitment to a job if my school was everyday from 8-4). In the mean time looking for a job I am really a bit nervous about working because I have forgotten some things that are crucial and its really stressing me out (Vital signs, rectal temp etc) the common sense stuff of course I remember but some things sliped my mind and its driving me crazy. Have any of you forgotten some things or have any tips to help out. I'm really nervous about starting a new job in a new field like this and feel hopeless I know its been 4 months but it feels like forever. Are there any refresher sites or videos anything even advice and word of sanity encouragment can help.

Thank you everyone for the replies it really helped me feel more good about what I am doing and that I am not an idiot luckily I was assigned to another CNA on thursday and she is AWESOME! she works quick while doing everything how its supposed to be done and giving attention and affection to her patients. I even asked her for some advice and explained to her the situation with me from before and she made me feel very good.She explained that I wont be all fast at first that it does take time and that I should not rush because that is how things go wrong and people get hurt, she even told me she was like that at first too but that I just have to get used to it and with time and more practice I will do good and she said that I was doing very good on thursday.Slowly but surely I am feeling more and more confident and I even went to visit my other patients I don't have anymore because I changed CNAs and they still remember me and smiled when they saw me so that made me feel even more good and happy.I know this field is very hard and challenging but like I have always believed if your heart is in it [Like me too] then you can do it. and yes I will have to get used to knowing the elderly is not glass lol its just hard because the ones I have been dealing with are very skinny and fragile.Thank you all for the advice and I look forward to asking more advice! :)

Hey Everyone!So I have started my clinicals on monday and today was my first official day of actually working with the patients (assisting the CNA I am assigned to). Everything my instuctor has taught us is all based on book and experience. I get that because its good to stick to that for the exam and official state board exam. My only issue is and I talked to my instuctor already and he told me that there is nothing wrong with me being this way but if any of you also have advice please share. Here we go. Everytime I start something new (this could just be my personality) I am always more. . . . Not passive but kinda shy until I can adapt (which usually takes me a few days to almost a week to feel the place out, the rules how they run things etc etc). In this case my assigned CNA nurse cuts alot of corners to how she does things (Cleaning, making the beds etc etc.) She kept telling me today that if I keep it up I will be with my patients forever that I work to slow and I have to just DO IT! now. I also am dealing with senior citizens and handicap (mainly elderly) at the facility I am at, I do not want to be rough with patients and don't want to do things as if I "know it all" and then turn around and make a mistake. My question in a nut shell is this. I have this situation about me that I have always had weither its a new job etc until I get adapted I can't just DO!. I want to be able to let my confidence and positive aggression come out sooner then waiting for me to adapt but I don't know any good advice other then my instructor letting me know that it is perfectly fine for me to be very cautious and take my time when I am first starting until I get the hang of things.I learn quick but these nurses at this facility (not to mention they are verbally and even can be physically abusive -Thats another story- towards the residents.) are very fast and it seems like they just do it to get it over with and don't really nuture the patient and it sort of is intimidating but I am not one to give up at all. I just need some FRIENDLY! words of encouragement something that will help boost my confidence so I can go in this full throttle.Thank You Everyone. And I hope I made some since without making myself seem 100% hopeless in the medical field because I know myself to be a leader but I never go into something new like I know it all.I want to let out the confident nurse I know is in me :) ps. any good nursing books or quotes would be great tooI am also in the looks of finding a good nurse book to read.