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I have both styles. It's been my experience that the two pocket top gets in the way. If you have to lean, bend, lift....some of the things in my pockets would fall onto the floor (gross!). When providing, care the front of my top would bump into the bedside and/or I had to watch out so the contents wouldn't spill/bump a resident. I never found them practical. I went to Wal-Mart and found single-colored scrubs. The top has one breast pocket, but the pants have three deep pockets on each leg. Very comfy and practical. I've got them in black, blue, brown, grey, red, and my favorite...booger-green! lol!

UPDATE: I resigned from the facility and will start school soon (after completing the prerequisites!) Very excited!!!

"Shut up and do what your told" is a dismissive command that would be given to someone considered unimportant. Clearly CNA's are important. I am a CNA and would take great offense to a superior believing I should be supervised in that fashion. "Work smarter, not harder" simply means utilizing your skills and intelligence in order to complete your tasks effectively and efficiently.

You are right on! I'm a CNA. I remember the emphasis that was placed on ethics in my certification class. Not just memorizing the applied terms, but understanding and believing in them. So, I know those in charge(the # "skewers", schedulers...) were taught these things too. They must have had the flu during the ethics portion. Of course, none of us need an education to know this principle of ethics, our parents/guardians raised us w/ it; Categorical Imperatives-"THE GOLDEN RULE"! If we at least remember, honor, and live by that in healthcare none of these things in your post would be happening. "THE GOLDEN RULE" or CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVES, if followed honestly/ethically leaves no worry that the other areas of health ethics aren't being applied. Justice, Beneficence, Duty, Fidelity, Veracity...

maybe your CNA was so overwhelmed they just felt like they needed to finish a task they had started in order to feel like they accomplished *something.* From a CNA's perspective: What are we...children? If I am passing out drinks and someone needs toileting/pericare, I stop what I'm doing and tend to that person. Checking to make sure everyone has something to drink is something that should be done every time we enter or before we exit a resident's room("we" means everyone on the healthcare team). So many things can happen on a shift in an instant and by waiting to pass out drinks to everyone at a certain time is not practical. Work smarter, not harder. Providing healthcare is about the resident's/patient's feelings and needs not ours (whether "we" are doctors, nurses, therapists, cna's, housekeeping, dietary, administration, (a)don...).

Thank you everyone for you support and advice. I'm hoping to speak w/ the DON today. The sad truth is that the DON knows what's going on. I received a message questioning whether or not I truly took my job seriously and understood what it means to be a caregiver. I called back and asked if her schedule would allow us to discuss this in person. I explained if there was any question about my intelligence, work ethic, and passion for healthcare that we should discuss this in person. Mind you, I am completely insulted having even been asked(left message on machine) this question. I didn't let on to my feelings in order to meet in person. I am waiting for a call back w/ the time for our appointment. Basically, after I "re-interview" for my position and how I discovered this was what I was meant to do, I am going to give my 2 weeks notice. The Don has my grades, seen me work(one reason for so many residents), and knows my story. I don't want to work for someone that won't be an advocate for the parts of the healthcare team that are passionate and do care. I also worry what other LTC's and hospitals opinions are of this facility. If I can see through the "B.S." as a new CNA, I'm sure potential employers might not look at this place as a good reference, but will hopefully see that I knew this and gave notice anyway.

The only way I manage is never stopping. Continuous rounds and answering lights as they come. I chart everything, type of care provided, refusal of care, behavior/behavior changes, vitals, BMs, I&O, treatments, awake/sleep.... I want to quit, but I still haven't. I know I am underpaid, and getting used. I feel like if I don't, then who will? I'm getting faster, but still cry on the way home. For some reason though, I feel like I am in the right place for now. I don't know why, but I just feel that way. Does this make any sense or am I crazy?

I never use the Hoyer lift by myself. But I do use the Sit To Stand by myself if the DON has deemed the resident as a SSx1 (Sit TO Stand w/ a one person transfer). Is this wrong?

I really don't want to get sucked into an argument. But I have to ask one more question. Do you know the meaning of, "Oh tongue, thou art caustic"? It describes your first post on this thread. Pardon, my lady, mine tongue be caustic now.... That means----Excuse me ma'am, but now I am going to be rude. Before trying to appear witty or clever with the use of Olde English, make sure you understand the point you are trying to make. Google it if you must. All you've succeeded in doing is allowing me to have a good laugh and reinforce my original post to you, "I feel sorry for the people that depend on you for their care". Take a nap, hang up the ego, don't waste your time in responding....I'm bored. Now that's caustic :)

There is a resident that frequently asks to call her sister. The sister has clearly stated in the resident's file all calls are to be made on Sunday before 6pm, unless there's a medical emergency. When asked, by the resident, to call her sister on the other days, I pick up the phone, pretend to dial the number, and leave a "message". I do this in front of the resident and then tell her I left a message and that her sister will call her back shortly. She thanks me and goes on w/ her day. The first time I tried this was because I witnessed a nurse yelling at her, "Your sister doesn't want you to call until Sunday!" The nurse yelled after the resident asked about 20 times. The nurse was a miffed and surprised because I stepped on her toes (I'm a CNA) and that it worked and STILL works. I explained to the nurse that I had to try something when she resorted to yelling at the resident. It's obvious that a person w/ their "wits" about them wouldn't ask the same question in the same manner/fashion 20 times to the same person. Another resident wants to go home. I pack her a small bag and tell her I'm going to warm up the car and that I'll be back. I step out into the hall and after a few minutes, she falls asleep. No meds!! Here's where I'm stumped-There are a few residents that forget they are no longer able to walk. They have low-beds, pressure alarms, and ambulatory alarms. I never have less than 24 residents to care for, usually 40-45. So when their dementia/Alzheimer's takes them to a place where they believe they still get around independently, I am rarely close by. The low-bed and alarms are great for warning me that someone is about to get up. But if I'm across the facility, the alarms only alert that a fall is happening. ADM won't increase staff. I don't know how to fix this one. Someone is going to really get hurt one day.

Does the facility your friend works at schedule her for CNA shifts instead of hiring more aides? If so, that isn't right. Or is she an RN lending a hand to her fellow aides? If so, she is awesome and there should be more RN's like her. When she works as a CNA does she get paid her RN wage? If so, be happy for the hours and pay. Performing the duties of a CNA will keep her humble, well rounded, and overall a better nurse. I don't know your friend's nursing history or experience, but if her employer is actually scheduling her as a CNA, maybe there is another reason.

I feel very sorry for the people that depend on your care. Leigh's story/problem isn't uncommon, you of all people should know this. Why is Leigh to blame? Your response makes no sense. There is such a thing called, "constructive criticism", but you were just plain rude.

I had 45 residents on my last shift that need total care. Seems like someone always has to wait because I can't be everywhere at once. I have long given up taking breaks, because I don't want them to be left unattended. I feel terrible and cry on my drive home for not being faster. I also have trouble coping when someone passes with this aide to resident ratio. I never break down at work, just on the drive home and when I'm alone. I love what I do, I just feel so sad sometimes.