dicecream

Well, just last night, one of my residents held my hands and told me I had beautiful eyes. He then invited me to get in bed with him Seriously, I am often thanked by residents, and used to say a kind of awkward "sure," in response, but since I was lectured by a former police officer on manners, I always say "You're welcome". I have had residents who order me around like a servant, and it really stings. Of course I do what they ask, but it's so much more pleasant to be treated as a friend. I've only gotten a personal message once from management, after I sat and read to a resident in the lobby during a slow time. I've never been recognized by management for just doing my job. I have been thanked by nurses when I did something that made their job easier. I always thank other CNAs for their help, and they often thank me.

Thou shalt not "call in sick" on labor day weekend, when there is a totally green CNA who ends up having to cover the whole floor. (green CNA was me, my 5th day on the job, with a nurse who didn't know how to say "no you can't call in", or get anyone to cover, apparently. Fortunately, my facility now has CNAs as staffing coordinators so they can cover if there's no other option. Works SO much better, and those gals are tough on slackers, knowing that they might have to fill in.) Thou shalt not put a resident's knee brace on BACKWARDS! I have found this several times on a certain resident, and let me tell you: A knee brace, like a knee, only bends one way. Thou shalt not cake skin cream on like it's whipped icing. THOU SHALT NOT LEAVE DIRTY LINENS IN THE HOPPER! There were BM-soaked sheets sitting there for 2 days because everyone said "It wasn't me, so I'm not cleaning it up", and housekeeping ignored it. Finally I did it so I could actually use the hopper to clean out my resident's clothes that were covered in vomit. I admit I've left stuff there to soak when extremely rushed, but always go back ASAP to clean up.

Hey, thanks everybody for your replies. For anyone who wants to know how it worked out, I did talk to the DNS and she said not to cover any resident's eyes, ever. We also talked about how difficult caring for this resident was, and she turned out to be more understanding than I expected. :) I'm still caring for this lady, and it's much easier since her meds have been changed. I don't know the specific drugs, but they have helped her behavior tremendously without making her into a zombie, so I think it's a good mix. She is on hospice care now, since her Alzheimers has declined more. It's very sad to see how her husband, who still comes to feed her, has to watch this decline, but I'm sure she's ready to go. She doesn't hit anymore, and even lets me brush her teeth without spitting or biting! What frustrates me now is when I see other caregivers or staff walk into the room and throw the bright overhead light on and toss her around without saying a word, just because they can now. She does still yell and make "lawnmower noises" when upset, so I still talk to her gently and sing to calm her down.

Not sure exactly what to say on this one. My facility always tries to use core staff because it's much cheaper than agency. Also core staff generally gives better care because they know the residents. Even if we give a good report, there are always little things that the residents like done a certain way, and we don't have time to explain. Mostly I would prefer to work with the same people so we develop a routine together and I can usually depend on them. I have worked with some very good agency CNAs, but a few who I would rather not see again.

I've never had any luck with sending resumes, period. Go to the place you want to work, find the hiring manager or whatever, and find out not just if they have any current openings, but if they expect to have any soon. Make sure they have your resume or application on file. Make a list of these places, get names of the people in charge, and keep calling back. Unexpected jobs open all the time, and you will be first on their list when they do.

Example: a resident whose leg muscles are stiff and legs have to be pried apart to put the brief on properly. I am always finding it just mashed in, with a bright red line marking where the elastic was pulled tight on her thighs. She can't tell us so, but it must be uncomfortable! Thou shalt not leave huge hard BMs in the toilet to "soften", then forget to find a plunger and leave it for the next shift Thou shalt not put laundry in the trash or trash in the laundry (students doing clinicals) Thou shalt not use all the wipes or gloves and leave without restocking. Thou shalt not attach catheter tubing so loosely that it comes apart and soaks the resident's pants. Thou shalt not attach catheter tubing so tightly I can't get it off! Thou shalt cut residents' fingernails regularly! Especially if it's that lady who scratches herself in bad places! Thou shalt not get extra large briefs for a 90-lb woman. When in doubt, do estimate larger, but not so much that they wrap around her twice!

If it's a large, public facility, you should be fine. They would be very careful not to discriminate. Smaller, private facilities might discriminate more. My facility is a run by a Christian group, but it's big and has people from many religions and races working there. It's pretty easy to just smile and nod if anyone goes on a religious rant, though one resident has Fox news on 24/7 in her room and won't watch anything else. Annoying! I've never felt like anyone was discriminated against by management. They do have a pretty strict dress code, but that's just so we look professional, I think.

Try to see if you can get an interview with the teacher or whoever's running the program. The more they see you, the more they'll remember you out of the other applicants.

Thanks for your replies. I thought of the picture idea too, and I'll ask her husband for one. I worked with this resident again last night and got some input from another CNA and a nurse. The CNA was from an agency and had some good ways to get the resident's attention and make her laugh. She really is mentally almost like a young toddler, and can sometimes be distracted by a silly face or simple humor. I will keep trying these things, and see if I can get her to trust me. The nurse said she didn't see anything wrong with covering this particular resident's eyes very gently since the light does upset her and she can take the pillowcase off. I think it's better to do as much as we can with other interventions. It's so hard to know what the resident is really thinking or feeling. I haven't met anyone else I would even consider blindfolding, but for this particular resident there are certain situations when I really feel like covering her eyes is safer and less intrusive than holding her down (Isn't holding her arms also restraining her?) or crowding her with lots of people. I am always her caregiver when I'm working, so hopefully I can find some more solutions and pass them on.

Or make a slipknot- half a bow with only one loop. Easier to undo and less likely to become a square knot. Yes, I have been a camp counselor.

If you're willing to stay and work at the facility for a year after you certify, you'll have a better chance. Especially if you're willing to work evening or night shift, and very high if you're a nursing student.

You're right. That does sound dumb. I guess I was new and didn't think about it much. It was actually the family member who offered to help when I said I needed a second person and she seemed to know what she was doing so I went along with it. Well, I won't do that in the future. :)

I decided to start a new thread for this question. For some reason I can't edit it anymore, so mods feel free to delete. Otherwise, just ignore.

I have been wondering about one of my residents who has advanced alzheimers and hits very hard any time anyone but her husband touches her. She also scratches, grabs, and squeezes, and has come very close to breaking my fingers. She is bedridden but still has very strong arms, and cannot speak but yells very loud. I've tried talking to her many different ways, even singing to her which sometimes helps for a few minutes (holding her hands and singing "say say my playmate" is a good way to make her smile) but I can't do that and give care at the same time. For a while her husband would hold her hands while we changed her but this became too stressful for him. I've learned to stay out of her range and cover her arms when I need to get closer. Recently another CNA suggested putting a blindfold on her so we can get in close to give care without restraining her or getting hit. Does anyone know if this is considered abuse? I've tried it (I just lay a pillowcase over her eyes) and it makes such a difference. When she can't see us, she can't hit us, at least not accurately. She still yells at first, but I can actually take care of her without getting punched or smacked. It also seems to make her a little calmer after little while when she can't see us. Of course I take it off immediately when I'm done. I also think a factor in her behavior is annoyance at having the light turned on to change her, so covering her eyes actually makes her more comfortable. I'm afraid to ask my DNS (it's been a long time since she did anything hands-on) because I don't want her to tell me not to do it, but I still want to know. I really do want what's best for the resident, but I have to consider my own safety. :redpinkhe

Residents at my facility love young people. They love to tell you stories and reminisce about the good old days. They are also great sources of advice. Many of them will remember your name and ask for you when you have taken the time to get to know them. These are people just like you, no matter their age. They like to listen to music, read books, and play games. Some of them are crabby, some of them are sick, and some of them (those with dementia) live in their own little world inside their mind. Get to know what's going on in that world and become a part of it. It will be hard at first, but very rewarding.