1st Night on the floor as an "Uncertified" CNA....

[Kwontor]

I'm starting tonight at a nursing home orientating as a CNA, I'm taking the class there as I go. I've never worked in this kind of setting and am very nervous. Any advice on how I can get through this with ease, any definite do's and don'ts? Thanks in Advance!

[Happy2bLPN]

Hello ctmed,

You give very good advice! I have commented on some of your previous posts. Just wondering if you had any insight on the CNA job market for Northen NJ and also advice on when you should apply for a position - ie during CNA school or after; and further to that - any tips for questions to ask on interview - such as tuition reimbursement etc - much appreciated and I enjoy reading your comments :)

[yousoldtheworld]

As others have pointed out, coworkers are often less than helpful. I've come to find out that this is largely because turnover rates are so high. Normally, after you prove yourself and they see that you're going to keep coming to work, they'll be a lot more willing to help. It does get old going out of your way to help train new people all the time and having said new people quit after a couple of days.

Anyway. For me, the most important thing at a new job is figuring out a routine and time budgeting. Don't get frustrated - the first couple of weeks, you will be slow, and you won't know who needs what at what time. It will get easier.

[a "too caring" c]

This is a bit out of the subject line and I have never had to deal with this befor working as a cna. What if a resident abuses you verbally? Theres never no word of that in our handbooks.

Tonite at dinner I was across the dining rm when I heard another resident yelling at one with alzeheimers. The lady doing the harsh talking to the other resident is very independent and was accusing the other resident(that could not defend herself in communication) of putting cheese soup in her own tomato juice. And telling her firmly that she did know what she was doing and going off at her.

I went over and said to the resident giving the orders to lower her voice and to not talk to her that way. And explained that she did not know or understand what she was doing at the time. Then she went off on me yelling that I would not tell her anything to do. I just stopped there and went to the supervisor on the floor. She went and got the resident and had a closed door talk and turned a report into the executive. I asked the supervisor why she did not ask me what happened also and she said, I will let the executive handle it on monday. I don't know what my rights are as a cna. Are we supposed to let them talk to us like dirt or what? Or are we supposed to let them bully others around just because they know "they can"? I have always gotten along with the residents and have never come across this befor. The residents where I work get along very well with me and some even perfer me over anyone else when taking showers and different things I do for them. Was that wrong for me to intervein in the situation?

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

It wasn't wrong to intervene. I would say it's part of your job to step in if you see someone being verbally abused. Reporting it to the supervisor was also the right thing to do. I wouldn't worry about it.