Starting CNA class next week...any advice?

rancelumsden · Jan 2, 2009

No specific advice other than to take the class seriously and get as much out of it as you can. Like any school classes, you'll have some people in there that just 'show up' and simply want to pass, but don't seem to care if they actually learn anything. You'll get into some basics of terminology, anatomy and physiology (very basic), medical ethics, and some good topics. If you're going into nursing, then get these basics down. Do the reading, do your homework.

And, as you'll read here constantly, practice those skills when you get to them. They are difficult to one degree or another for everyone. Try to find one or two people who are serious about taking the class and form a little group

to practice with. Almost everyone has difficulty with the occupied bed, BP's, ROM. Not rocket science, but takes practice outside the classroom.

Leann2828 · Jan 4, 2009

being a cna is very rewarding and challenging at the same time. since you are considering becoming a nurse you are starting in the right place. being a cna first will help you become good at transfers, vital signs & lots of other general patient care.

the best advice i can give you is to learn and use the correct technique for lifting and transferring a patient, because once you hurt your back it is hurt for the rest of your life. if you don't think you can transfer a patient alone then go get help. if no help it available at that time, then post-pone what you are doing with that patient until help is available. if help does not become available (and sometimes it won't) then go to your supervisor/charge nurse and ask for help. explain them to him/her that everyone is busy and the patient is to large/combative etc. to transfer alone. remember, your employer does not want you to hurt yourself either because that would only cost them money and possibly a good employee.

the next "tid-bit" i have for you is always listen to what your patient is saying. for example, you will run across patients that are considered "difficult to deal with," "picky," or "demanding" by other employees. but you have to remember that sometimes these patients are not trying to control you, as it may seem, but they are only trying to manage their own lives, & by telling you precisely how to do something or insisting that you do something a specific way, may be the only management in their life they have left. remember that and these patients will love you and you may find that you really enjoy them also. in the beginning, "following orders" made by these patients will slow you down, but once you learn their routine you will speed up and everyone will be happy. sometimes you may even find that they are really trying to make it easier on you.

i once had a home health patient who was a quadriplegic and nobody liked to be assigned to him because he was very demanding. he told you exactly how you should transfer him, the order in which you should dress him, & what time he wanted you to arrive at his home (just name some of his demands), and guess what, he got assigned to me and i had to see him every morning i worked. but i soon figured out that he wasn't so demanding after all. the way that he insisted i transfer & dress him made it much easier on me. and i didn't really mind that he held me to a tight arrival schedule. after all, what other control over his life does he have left? he couldn't get up on his own, he couldn't take a shower without help, he couldn't go to the store when he wanted, he couldn't go out to a movie without someone taking him, and i could go on. if you really think about it, it wasn't really control at all; it was a way to allow him to manage his own life.

keep this story in mind when you are caring for those "demanding" or "difficult" patients maybe it will make it better for both you and your patient.

i didn't mean for this to be so long, but both tips can make your job easier & more enjoyable. i wish you the best as you become a cna.

god bless,

leann

jeninthedesert, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2009

Get as much out of the class as you can. The CNA course covers a lot of fundamentals and basic patient care skills that will help you out when you start a nursing program.

Most of all, enjoy yourself! :)

jesskidding, LPN · Jan 4, 2009

Thanks for the great advice. There are a few reasons that I am doing the CNA course. One being it's something I want to do and know I will be good at. I would like to work at a LTC facility until I graduate nursing school. I know that my patients there would get quality care beacause I am really a nice, caring person who would treat someone like my own grandfather or grandmother. Secondly, I think it will give me great experience before becoming a RN. Thirdly, I have to because it is mandatory to be listed as a NA1 here in North Carolina at all the nursing schools. It is a pre-req for all ADN and BSN programs around here. Lastly, I am a SAHM to a one year old and and three year old, so I am looking forward to getting out of the house two nights a week! LOL I am nervous but very excited. Thanks again for the advice. :wink2:

butterfly988 · Jan 5, 2009

Good luck with your class. :)

I had to chuckle about being a SAHM and looking forward to getting out of the house two nights a week. I totally understand. I will be taking a CNA course starting in April to give me an idea if I want to continue into a nursing education. The classes will also be 'me' time.

I am sure you will be a great CNA.

Jeanniebabes · Jan 7, 2009

I am also a SAHM and waited until my youngest was in first grade to go back to school. I just finished my CNA class and I loved it. I was really scared at first starting over after 17 years but it was very rewarding. My advice is to pay attention and ask questions if you dont understand. My teacher gave out binders with questions to answer after each chapter of the book. That was a great tool for when you took tests and such. A lot of it is common sense and once you start you will understand what I mean. I really loved working at the LTC facility for the clinical portion of the class. It wasnt as bad as I thougth it would be. The Residents are great and love to have you there. Just talk to them and be friendly, thats all they want.

firelyte42 · Jan 8, 2009

also, pay attention to why you are doing things in the order of the procedures notes. I couldn't get the whole changing the occupied linen thing down until I had to do it as a CNA in a NCF. I had the worst time, but I remembered the ideas that the instructor had put in my head and closed my eyes and hit the door for a buddy. Learn who your friends are and trust your instinct. If you have a second thought, get help during your training. Thats why it is training. Don't feel like the questions you are asking are stupid. The only stupid question is the one you were too proud to ask, and now you are standing there looking stupid.

truthb4lies · Jan 8, 2009

The best advice my instructors gave me was to " Relax and breathe". :redpinkhe