misslindsay

Hi there! I'm a new CNA working in a traumatic brain injury unit of a rehab facility. The other night, we had a fellow try to get into bed on his own without asking for help, and he fell and hurt his knee and lower leg. 2 days later, his leg is swollen and very sore - poor guy. Anyway, the nurse brought him his pain meds and he asked for an ice pack. The nurse immediately said that we couldn't give him one and the doctor would have to order it (without offering to contact the doctor or offering any other methods of treatment). Is that true at your facility? I thought it was a minor treatment, but maybe I'm wrong. I'm not trying to undermine the nurse, I'm just curious. Thanks!

Hi! It makes me feel so much better just knowing that I'm not alone, that others have anxiety too and can do the job successfully. Thanks for all your advice too. I will be working 2nd shift, but I'm told that this company trains their staff really well before they are turned loose, so I'm trying not to worry. Anyway, congrats on getting your job! Are you planning on going to nursing school?

Hello, fellow nursing folks! I've just registered here because I want to share that I'm sooo excited that I finally got a job and I want to tell you all about it! I got my CNA a few years ago when I was in high school, but I never worked as one. I didn't have enough confidence in myself, so I barely tried to, and never got, a CNA job. Now, after doing some soul searching, I've decided nursing really is what I want to do. I'm a very kind, caring, gentle person so I believe I'll be a natural at comforting patients. So I reactivated my CNA and started looking for a job. I've heard from numerous people that new CNAs usually have to start out in LTC or SNFs, usually for elderly patients. Don't get me wrong, but geriatrics just isn't what I'm really interested in. So I submitted my application for a local rehabilitation hospital, and I ended up getting the job! I never would have thought I would, since I'm an inexperienced, "stale new grad" so to speak. I do realize that rehab will probably include elderly people, but hopefully there will be a wide range of patients. The problem is, I'm also very nervous. I have been diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder, as well as clinical depression and avoidant personality disorder. I'm trying to break free of these problems, and I already have to an extent; getting this job was a huge accomplishment for me. But I'm worried that I'm going to be a bad CNA, that I'm going to be too quiet, not confident enough with patients, that my coworkers won't like me, and I'll do a bad job, the list goes on and on. I'm sure any of you who have anxiety problems know what that's like. Do any current CNAs or nurses have any suggestions for me? What can I do to be a good CNA? What bad traits should I make sure to avoid? And what can I expect in the field of rehabilitation? I just want to be the best I can be, for my coworkers and my patients. :) I should mention that I am also going to get my LPN, I am on a waiting list at my community college and I will start in October. My eventual goal is to become an RN, but I'm taking this one step at a time. I believe that once I gain some experience, my confidence will be much better, and then I will be ready to take the next step. That's why I'm doing my LPN first, then my RN. Thanks, everyone! (sorry for the long post) And good luck to fellow CNAs trying to get jobs. Don't give up :)