Starting to freak out!!!

[evie119]

OK I just registered for my CNA class and I know going in to CNA training that there are going to be some situations that will take some getting used to. But reading some of these boards are really starting to scare me.. I know the eventually, I will have to deal with certain things ie: impossible patients who curse or spit, patients dying, etc.. But Im starting to get really worried that I am going to be faced with the worst possible situations during my 4 days training at the nursing home I'm not planning on becoming a CNA but have to take the course in order to take the PCT course. Im hoping that I dont chicken out.. Can anyone tell me what to expect?

[BroadwayRN, ASN, RN]

But Im starting to get really worried that I am going to be faced with the worst possible situations during my 4 days training at the nursing home

4 days training? Don't sweat 4 days. Patients are patients whether in the NH or Hosp. Age knows no lack of disrespect and ungratefulness. Good Luck in your pursuit.

[srkerk]

Hey Evie! I recommend joining the thread CNA's Graduating in March-April :) I was really scared too, but once I started my classes I can't wait to start clincals, and help patients. Please join us on that thread, everyone is very supportive and also scared too! :heartbeat

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

It's a GOOD thing to be exposed to iffy stuff during your clinicals. Better to get an idea of what it's like now, when you're just a student, than to have to go through it when you're already working.

[sonomala]

It's a GOOD thing to be exposed to iffy stuff during your clinicals. Better to get an idea of what it's like now, when you're just a student, than to have to go through it when you're already working.

I agree. My clinicals were a breeze. I wish I had an instructor to help with spitting, fist throwing, choking, and my personal favorite the "pickers"

[poppalina]

You'll be fine. Expect the worst and you will be surprised at how easy it really was. Good luck.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

In my opinion, starting your first job is way worse than clinicals!

[Shante1985]

I agree. My clinicals were a breeze. I wish I had an instructor to help with spitting, fist throwing, choking, and my personal favorite the "pickers"

SPITTING?!?! Ughhh. How do you handle those types of situations? I don't know what I'd do if someone spit on me, that is soo disgusting. What do you do when a patient is spitting, punching, and/or throwing things?

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

Getting spit on isn't the worst thing that's going to happen to you! haha. How to handle it depends on a few different things, like how much help you have and what the mental state of the person is. Usually with people like that, you can walk away for 10 minutes, come back, and you've got a whole new person. If that doesn't work, and they're soiled or something, you can't leave them like that for too long and you'll have to get another person to help hold their hands or something. Your approach makes a difference too. There are some people I take care of who are supposedly "combative" but they've never been that way with me!