Sorry, I'm new.

[Unknown Identity]

Today, I did a volunteer project with a group of people at our local nursing home. We interacted with the residents and we helped them with Bingo. Now, this was the first time I've ever really interacted with residents that are unknown to me. My group was assigned to the Dementia/Alzheimers ward. This is the same nursing home in which I will be doing my clincials sometime in November. My concern is that I was too shy, that I didn't interact enough. I don't know if it was because it was the first time or if I'm just a naturally shy person. But, I want to correct this for when I go to clinicals so that it's not as awkward for me or for the residents. Are there any tips some of you not-so-new CNAs/Nurses could give me? I really want to improve so that I'll be more prepared for patient/resident interaction. And, because I did like interacting with the residents, so my career path my alter a little bit. Thanks in advance!

[blue cna]

I was really shy at first too. Hard to make small talk with people who don't remember anything about anything, have dementia, or can hardly hear you and have nothing really going on in their lives besides eat and sleep.

In your clinicals just be sure to keep talking to the patient, tell them what youre doing, and act like you know what youre doing even if you dont. If youre unsure, theyre unsure and feel unsafe. If youre not sure about something youre doing act like you are and just give the aide youre shadowing a 'look' to let her know you need assistance. all aides know this look, especially from someone whos learning from them :)

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

Yeah, when you're doing care it helps to describe what you're doing, or ask a lot of questions about their routine if they're alert. Like, "Okay now I'm going to have you roll over toward me so we can wash your bottom" or "Are your legs dry? How about some lotion? Oh I think these slippers are nice, were they a gift?" You know, just kind of narrate yourself. It's an easy way to break the silence when you're so nervous you have no idea what to say, or if they won't answer back. When making conversation ask them if they had kids or pets, what they did for a living, if they traveled, etc. Or talk about your kids or pets or what you made for dinner last night. The class tells you not to talk about yourself a lot but they like that, and if they're confused, it's easier for them to listen to you than to have to think of responses to questions. And don't forget to smile.

[caliotter3]

When in their room, look for cues to topics for conversation such as photographs and other items in the environment. And don't forget about the weather, always a good topic for conversation.

[Queen33FutureLPN, CNA]

I am very shy also but what I do to mask that is to be very nice and smile.Residents LOVE to see you when you smile.I had a resident to tell me that my smile is nice and sincere.When a resident see that you are smiling that makes you very approachable and they basically will start the converstation even the dementia patients just smile!!Hope that helps :)

[CNA2day]

Just talk to everyone like they know what is going on. Actually you might be suprised hat many do know more about what is going on then you think they do!

Don't feel dumb for talking to someone who isnt responding, most of them enjoy it and if they don't know the difference then it didn't hurt anything. However if they do know the difference and they can't respond you may have made their day!

[Unknown Identity]

Thanks guys! My first clinical day is tomorrow, and I think this will help me a lot. :)

[Jen{NAR}]

The look=:uhoh21:

I give this look all the time to my nurses when I know they are not going to like what I have to request

[KYHealthTraining-Lex]

Try to relax a little I was scared to when I first started as an aide clueless more like it! But I was hooked quickly and it gets easier in day 2 at clinicals:heartbeat

Donna Parker