Bexsie

Hang in there! I'm currently going through a phase where I'm questioning if I'm a good nurse because of an incident gone wrong! I recently became a CNA in July 2013. I have had previous health related experience from jobs and volunteer work. 10years or so. I've had my moments where I'm stressed or just tired but I'm always attentive to my work and try to do things well in order. While transferring a resident with a fellow coworker, I ended stepping on this residents toenail. We were transferring her to the shower chair. Her slippers made her have trouble standing. Her other shoes were hurting her (due to toenails) I had been complaining to social worker, RN supervisor & Charge Nurse how the toenails needed care ASAP. They were growing long and outwards. She was constantly complaining of pain. A few days before incident, I had put her (once again) on the list for the podiatrist to see her. She was so excited of the news. I went on my days off. Come back 2 days later and realized they did not do her toenails. When I asked why, they stated because she was not diabetic, they couldn't do anything (despite her complaining of pain) I stepped on the mere tip of the toenail. It popped. Bleeding so much. My coworker ran out and call treatment nurse (RN). Charge Nurse (LVN) & treatment nurse both came in. Plus RN supervisor. The treatment nurse (RN) began to freak out. While 2 CNA's were calm. Needless to say, we made 2 incident reports. Mine and the witness (coworker) and turned it in to the RN supervisor. Followed by a rude comment: you CNA's need to do nail care! In CNA course, we were trained to do fingernail care with caution. Not toenail care. The reports submitted were lost by the RN supervisor. Then I'm hearing how the upper management was not aware of the incident because the reports were never submitted. Social worker investigating, the family is upset stating I kicked the mom. Stepped on her and I was now about to reported to ombudsman for this. Being a first time CNA, I freaked out. I was being questioned by upper management. Despite me making reports to get her toenails done, getting 2nd person for transfer, reporting stat and making incident report...I was given a write up. When asked why!? I was told they were just giving me a verbal write up that I had to sign. Which means, written write up not verbal. 3 write ups and you're let go. I began crying. Saying I did nothing wrong and did not deserve this. I felt as if I was not good anymore. They told me they were doing it to protect themselves in case the family did call ombudsman. The family apparently understood his mother was kicked and stepped on. The whole incident was out of control all because they lost the report and failed to admit I kept reporting nails. Thankfully the resident went to defend me (she's high functioning alert). They finally accepted it was all a mistake, but the write up is in my file now. My first one ever. Now I feel like every time I walk at work and do my job, they are focusing on looking for bad rather than the good I have done I know now it's tough. If you love doing what you're doing. Don't stop. I now look at the write up as a reminder to be extra extra cautious and to make sure all paperwork submitted is properly submitted. Cheer up!

Hi everyone! First timer, recently discovered this website :) I'm currently 28years old. Since I was 16 I have either volunteered at pediatrics, hospitals or have had health related jobs. I have also been a caregiver (known as Direct Support Professional) In 2008, I was attending Community college to enroll in the RN program. However, I had an injury that lead to having my life on hold. Constant doctor appointments, therapy, surgery. I stopped going to school. It was until I was finally released from care and able to get back to my goal. The quickest way was taking a CNA course through the adult school, just to get my foot back in to the field. As much as I enjoy working as a CNA, it's not my career goal. I have always enjoyed the NICU. (As I previously volunteered there as a college bound student). I would love to be a NICU RN :) However I am having problems trying to get to my goals. One counselor tells me one thing, another advises something else. Fellow LVN coworkers state to do community college as it is cheaper. Working full-time, counselor advise it would be about 2 years before getting into the LVN Program; another year. That's a bit disappointing to me since I have been out of school so long. Other LVN. Coworkers tell me to do private. Quick, but expensive. Then go to college for RN/BSN. Any advise from fellow or current students will help! How were you able to succeed?! If it helps, I am located in CA & nursing here is ridiculously expensive! Thanks everyone -Maria