I am a new-ish CNA. I have been working at my first CNA job since July 12, so I just had my 90 day review, which went fine. I work in a long term care facility. I am feeling pretty conflicted about whether or not I want to stay at this job. If you have time, please read this post and share any opinions/advice you have for me. Here is what is stressing me out at work. I have no problem with any of the things we do for residents - "poop", "pee" and "wiping butts" do not bother me in the least, as I know these folks need help and I hope one day, if I need it, someone will help me!!! I also don't mind working hard. I am not lazy, and I want to do the best job I can. HOWEVER.... I do NOT enjoy the general atmosphere of "hurry, hurry, HURRY!!!!" that exists in my workplace.
Apparently I am still too slow at my job, and my coworkers frequently voice their frustrations to me. I understand that they might be stressed because me being slow makes "more work for them." I work 1st shift and the morning get-ups are the worst part of my day. We have 26 residents on our wing, and we are supposed to have them all up for breakfast by 7:45am. Right now, we have maybe 4 who are "independent," but we also have 15 who are an assist of 2, so you can't just do them by yourself. We are supposed to have 3 aids and a bath aid, who usually gets up about 3 people, as they get their baths before breakfast. Anyhow, I have been told to make it a goal to spend only 15 minutes getting a resident up, washed and dressed for breakfast. I am down to 15 minutes once they are on the "potty chair", but then it takes a few minutes to clean up the bathroom and get to the next room... and that doesn't include the time actually getting them up out of bed. In reality, it is taking me about 20 minutes per resident. I am working to improve my speed, but I refuse to forgo the gait belt (which many of my coworkers do) or the basin, because I think it is silly to have one way to do things when State is in the building and another when they are not. I want to do my job so that State could walk in at any minute and they would think it was just fine. Even with starting at 6:15am, the most people I have had up and done by 7:45 was 4 people.
It seems there is a double standard going on here. The DON and ADON, and also the nurse on our hall, have told me they appreciate my thoroughness and that I should do my job right and not worry about the "hurrying" factor. My fellow CNA's, however, will poke their heads into a room where I am helping someone and stand there and say "Let's go!! Get a move on here!" Which does not help, by the way, as it just stresses me out and makes me fumble things. I feel like there is some sort of weird conspiracy where the administration tells you to do things the right way, but really wants you to cut corners as long as you don't get caught. That is what most of my coworkers do, and they get mad at me because I won't do it.
OK - I am sort of rambling here. I guess what I am wondering is this - is there an environment where a CNA could work where patience and thoroughness are valued more than speed? I have applied at the two local hospitals, but I feel kind of guilty about it, like I am a quitter or a traitor. I do not look down on LTC - I applied there because I wanted to care for older people who need help. But this environment feels toxic for me. I just can't spend my days hurrying and being yelled at. I also will not hurry a 95 year old woman as she is getting out of bed. Is this what I will always find in LTC? Would hospital work be any different? I don't personally know anyone who works as a CNA at a hospital, so I don't have anyone to ask.
I would appreciate any feedback. Please know that it is not the work that bothers me - body fluids and messes are no problem for me, it is life and folks need help with it. I just hate to hurry all day long and feel like a loser when I am not the fastest one in the bunch. I hope I don't get burned too much for this...
Thats a really personal decission. Schedule, pay, and benefits will all be different. Common near me is rotating every 3rd weekend. However you have a MUCH better chance to learn something. Some will train you for phlembotomy, ekg, just whatever the floor might require you to do, or whatever the nurses might train you to do so they don't have to.
I'm with parumph, that's my personal choice. I just prefer the hospital environment to long-term care. You might as well get over that guilt feeling of moving up in the world and advancing past your co-workers....once you're a licensed nurse, you may notice a little jealousy from the other CNA's. I've seen a few CNA's seem to turn on their co-workers who went on to become nurses and end up working in the same facility. I think it's the height of immaturity to jealous and resentful in such a situation, but I've seen it happen. You might also think about the fact that there is going to be a lot of competition for jobs in the nursing world once you graduate, if you are already a respected employee at that hospital, you may get hired right away just to make sure that they keep you there !
interceptinglight and parumph - I called HR at the hospital to let them know I am interested for sure. Now we will see what happens! At least I know that if I don't get the hospital position, I am getting more comfortable at my current job. And...friends from school have told me that if I don't like the hospital, I can always get hired again in LTC, as long as I leave on good terms.
Thanks for the replies! I will update if I hear anything. I know it takes a while for hospital HR to process things.
interceptinglight and parumph - I called HR at the hospital to let them know I am interested for sure. Now we will see what happens! At least I know that if I don't get the hospital position, I am getting more comfortable at my current job. And...friends from school have told me that if I don't like the hospital, I can always get hired again in LTC, as long as I leave on good terms.
Thanks for the replies! I will update if I hear anything. I know it takes a while for hospital HR to process things.
Baubo, Just curious, did you get the activities job? Also, how do you feel about leaving the LTC job after 3 months? Will that affect your resume for future employment?
Noob to Nursing - No, I did not get the activities assistant job. They hired someone internally. They are considering me for a CNA position there in the same unit, but I have not heard back from them yet. I spoke to someone in HR on Tuesday, and I would assume she is calling my references, etc.
As for how I feel about leaving my LTC job, I'm not sure. I am getting better at the job every day AND developing a thicker skin so the rudeness of coworkers does not bother me so much. However, we are still desperately short staffed and this is annoying to deal with constantly. I know that me leaving will not help THEM with the short staffing, but it might be less stressful for ME.
I have now been at the job for 4 months, and if I get the hospital job, I will give 2 weeks notice, so by the time I leave, I will be one week short of 5 months at the LTC job. I am not too worried about that time being short, as I was at my previous job for 7 years. I think that is enough to show that I am reliable. At least I hope so!
If I do not get the hospital CNA job, I will stay at my current job... no sweat. I may try to cut back from 4 days a week to 3 after the holidays. We'll see! Thanks for asking!
I'm sure everything will work out, you seem to be working real hard to adjust. I'm starting very soon as a new CNA as well, I hope I can work at a good speed. I'm doing everything I can to prepare too.
So... the hospital called on Monday afternoon and I got the CNA job there! It actually pays less - $10.01/hr compared to $10.75/hr at my LTC job. But, I think I want to work at a hospital when I am an RN, and I really want to see if a different environment will be better for me.
I put in my 2 weeks notice today at my LTC job. I feel kinda' bad because I know they are short staffed, but as a mid-life career changer, I am trying to make things better for myself and my family, and I hope this will be a positive change!
Only glitch - my last day of work at the LTC is the same day they want me to do orientation at the hospital. Because I have some integrity, I will probably try to trade one of my weekend days off with someone who works on that last day so I can go to the hospital orientation without short-changing my current job.
We will see what this new adventure brings! Now to try not to feel guilty... not easy for me...
I'm not sure why you would feel guilty if you were struggling so much at your LTC. I think you should be proud (and I'm sure you are) since many would love to work at an acute setting. You put in a fair two weeks notice and I'm sure they could easily find another great candidate.
Best wishes, have been following your posts and thanks for sharing!
Specializes in Just starting out in a Nursing Home..
I am a new-ish CNA. I have been working at my first CNA job since July 12, so I just had my 90 day review, which went fine. I work in a long term care facility. I am feeling pretty conflicted about whether or not I want to stay at this job. If you have time, please read this post and share any opinions/advice you have for me. Here is what is stressing me out at work. I have no problem with any of the things we do for residents - "poop", "pee" and "wiping butts" do not bother me in the least, as I know these folks need help and I hope one day, if I need it, someone will help me!!! I also don't mind working hard. I am not lazy, and I want to do the best job I can. HOWEVER.... I do NOT enjoy the general atmosphere of "hurry, hurry, HURRY!!!!" that exists in my workplace.
Apparently I am still too slow at my job, and my coworkers frequently voice their frustrations to me. I understand that they might be stressed because me being slow makes "more work for them." I work 1st shift and the morning get-ups are the worst part of my day. We have 26 residents on our wing, and we are supposed to have them all up for breakfast by 7:45am. Right now, we have maybe 4 who are "independent," but we also have 15 who are an assist of 2, so you can't just do them by yourself. We are supposed to have 3 aids and a bath aid, who usually gets up about 3 people, as they get their baths before breakfast. Anyhow, I have been told to make it a goal to spend only 15 minutes getting a resident up, washed and dressed for breakfast. I am down to 15 minutes once they are on the "potty chair", but then it takes a few minutes to clean up the bathroom and get to the next room... and that doesn't include the time actually getting them up out of bed. In reality, it is taking me about 20 minutes per resident. I am working to improve my speed, but I refuse to forgo the gait belt (which many of my coworkers do) or the basin, because I think it is silly to have one way to do things when State is in the building and another when they are not. I want to do my job so that State could walk in at any minute and they would think it was just fine. Even with starting at 6:15am, the most people I have had up and done by 7:45 was 4 people.
It seems there is a double standard going on here. The DON and ADON, and also the nurse on our hall, have told me they appreciate my thoroughness and that I should do my job right and not worry about the "hurrying" factor. My fellow CNA's, however, will poke their heads into a room where I am helping someone and stand there and say "Let's go!! Get a move on here!" Which does not help, by the way, as it just stresses me out and makes me fumble things. I feel like there is some sort of weird conspiracy where the administration tells you to do things the right way, but really wants you to cut corners as long as you don't get caught. That is what most of my coworkers do, and they get mad at me because I won't do it.
OK - I am sort of rambling here. I guess what I am wondering is this - is there an environment where a CNA could work where patience and thoroughness are valued more than speed? I have applied at the two local hospitals, but I feel kind of guilty about it, like I am a quitter or a traitor. I do not look down on LTC - I applied there because I wanted to care for older people who need help. But this environment feels toxic for me. I just can't spend my days hurrying and being yelled at. I also will not hurry a 95 year old woman as she is getting out of bed. Is this what I will always find in LTC? Would hospital work be any different? I don't personally know anyone who works as a CNA at a hospital, so I don't have anyone to ask.
I would appreciate any feedback. Please know that it is not the work that bothers me - body fluids and messes are no problem for me, it is life and folks need help with it. I just hate to hurry all day long and feel like a loser when I am not the fastest one in the bunch. I hope I don't get burned too much for this...
I did my clinicals at a Nursing home first shift. I know what you mean..and I was a student so the pressure was not there for me as much. To me you have to keep the critical points togeather and improvise the right way to do things. So long as body mechanics are right and no one gets hurt with lifting..which to me you should take your time so no one gets hurt, and you should always wear a gate belt..always..you should always have a partner..when you are new..always..and if you co workers are busting your bum bum..its only because your the weakest link and probably a kind person..your just new it comes with the territory..I say dont be defensive about it..its hard not to be..but just breath it in..laugh..and learn the right way and in the long run i do believe you will develop efficiency for you and your patients will like you all the better for it. Keep your chin up girl;)
Hello, I am so sorry for the troubles you are enduring. It is a sad fact that LTC facilities are severly understaffed. Because of that, new CNA's with caring attitudes leave their chosen career because of the PRESSURE to 'hurry up'. I am a clinical supervisor for first and second semester PSW (Personal Support Worker) students. It is a year long program in Ontario Canada that trains students to work with residents in LTC. Students are only given 4 residents in their final semester clinical, most are able to perform all neccessay duties in a timely fashion. Unfortunately school life does not mimic real life. You are doing well to always keep your patient's needs first and you sound like a very compassionate CNA. I wish I had a solution for you, but I don't. I do know that in the general hospital setting where I work fulltime as a registered practical nurse on a surgical unit, the PSWs only do very minimal patient care. I believe the work load is not as strenuous for them, they are still very busy but it is more transporting patients to and fro, setting up meal trays, stocking supplies, bedmaking,etc. Maybe working in a hospital setting would be better for you. Best of luck.
I'm in the slow-yet-thorough camp too. I moved from LTC to home health and like it. I do work night shift now, though, so there is a lot of downtime, which I dislike. However, the extra patient interaction (when they're not sleeping) makes up for it.
Edit: Oh, I didn't see all the posts. Good luck with the hospital job! I hope it works out better for you.
I met with the nurse who is in charge of the unit I will be working on today and toured the unit. It looks awesome, and the people that I saw working did not look stressed out, nor were they complaining... at least not that I could hear! I am excited about this new job and hope it will work out well! Thanks for reading these posts.... I will start a new thread if I want to share more about this job!!
I did my clinicals at a Nursing home first shift. I know what you mean..and I was a student so the pressure was not there for me as much. To me you have to keep the critical points togeather and improvise the right way to do things. So long as body mechanics are right and no one gets hurt with lifting..which to me you should take your time so no one gets hurt, and you should always wear a gate belt..always..you should always have a partner..when you are new..always..and if you co workers are busting your bum bum..its only because your the weakest link and probably a kind person..your just new it comes with the territory..I say dont be defensive about it..its hard not to be..but just breath it in..laugh..and learn the right way and in the long run i do believe you will develop efficiency for you and your patients will like you all the better for it. Keep your chin up girl;)
parumph
70 Posts
Thats a really personal decission. Schedule, pay, and benefits will all be different. Common near me is rotating every 3rd weekend. However you have a MUCH better chance to learn something. Some will train you for phlembotomy, ekg, just whatever the floor might require you to do, or whatever the nurses might train you to do so they don't have to.
If it were me, i'd jump on it.