scared to death

Valasca · Sep 9, 2008

I didn't read the other responses so if any of this is redundant I apologize.

NO NO NO it is not a sign that you are not cut out for nursing!!!!!!! It is a sign that you are new and inexperienced!!!

I know that you are scared now but let me tell you being a CNA isn't very hard. It's physically demanding and it's scary at first but that's about it. I "did my time" in LTC. I had a year exp and then made the jump to hospitals. When I first started in a short stay unit I felt sooooooo stupid and scared!!!! I thought I was an incompetent boob! And compared to the other aides that had been there awhile, I was....but that is b/c being a CNA in the hospital is way different than being a CNA in LTC.

I got yelled at by an RN for not knowing how to use a bladder scanner. I got in trouble for not knowing how to do I&O's. I got complained about for not knowing how to drain JP's. I was mocked for not knowing how to perform EKG's. I fumbled with all the "high tech" equipment used in the hospital. I felt like an idiot for not knowing common meds. I could go on and on........ I stuck it out and after a few months I hit my stride and became a kick ass ( :twocents: ) CNA.

The bottom line is that experience and confidence can only come with time. They cannot be rushed. Eventually after some time served you will find your niche. You'll look back on things and laugh to yourself about how scared you were by simple tasks and you will reassure new CNA's that it does get easier. :redpinkhe

p.s. I saw the question about nurses intimidating you. Some ppl are just jerks and it doesn't matter what profession your in. I worked with nurses who were amazingly awesome and kind to me. I also worked with nurses who treated me worse than the $%&@ under their shoes. Those were the days that made me cry. But it made me make a vow to myself that when I became a nurse I would treat my aides with respect and dignity. The goal is patient centered quality care.

NewPICURN · Sep 9, 2008

Thanks so much for the encouragement everyone! You all are a godsend!

birdie007 · Sep 9, 2008

good for you ! you have nothing to lose from trying....I am "older" and still get intimated ! Hold your head up high and be proud of who you are and what you are doing. You have every right to be there as much as they do. Having said that howver, they still ofcourse deserve your respect..

best of luck:up:

Wolfee2010 · Sep 12, 2008

I am just starting my CNA certification classes and I am also pretty nervous. My clinical instructor said that it is the people that are nervous that are likely to do the best and that the people that think they know everything that do the worst. We just need to remember that we chose to go this path for a reason and to never forget that reason. We are some of the most important people on a floor because we do the majority of the patient care. We should be proud of that!!

Good luck!!

ecmb · Sep 14, 2008

'Scared to death?' What you're experiencing is normal for anyone who learning a new job. No matter what job you would get that would be totally new to you would bring some anxiety.

I recently started a new job. I had difficulty sleeping and lost five pounds, which I didn't need to lose. It was mostly nerves. Everything was so new to me and my new job was in a field I had no experience in. I felt like walking out numerous times. But instead of looking at the WHOLE JOB, I tried to focus on the duties of each day, one day at a time. Nevermind that there was so much to learn. I only needed to learn so much in that one day. And little by little, as I tackled a new and unfamiliar part of this job, I have gained a confidence I never knew I had.

Now I am happy and confident. The confidence came about partly because I have learned new things. But mostly the confidence came about because I didn't quit.

I think you should just make up your mind what you want to do and jump in and do it. Don't worry about what you don't know. As time goes by, you will learn all you need to do this job successfully.

Marie