starting new job as cna

chickapea · Aug 24, 2008

I only worked as a C.N.A. in a nursing home for my clinicals which were all during the am shifts. My friend works evenings now at the same place and said it's slower and a bit easier as far as the work load goes. Dinner is the only meal for the residents on that shift then lots of rounds and re-positioning and changing. The am shifts does more showering, breakfast, activities, lunch and some naps... and re-positioning/changing. Some residents get their showers at night, however there may just not be as many of them. Every facility is a bit different too. I worked as an activties director years ago in a nursing home and after 4pm things started to slow down a lot and the C.N.A.'s seemed more relaxed. You'll still work very hard, but I think it's a good shift to gain experience on. Good luck and congratulations on your new job!

FutureNurse23 · Aug 28, 2008

Well 10 patients isnt bad. ITs when you have 15 and up it gets crazy. Or when you have 15 during a 3-11shift and you have 5 of them you have to undress and put back to bed assisting and using lifts. Meanwhile, 3 of them are all over the place and demanding you to put them in bed at 9pm when all you are trying to do is start your last round,lol. Nevertheless, I wish you the best of luck and remember just take one day at a time. And when it seems like you are running behind just think everyday will not be the same.

lookingforcna · Sep 16, 2008

hi FutureNurse23:

i want to be your friend, i have seen your all posts ,so learned a lot ,then i went to Career Academy Nursing Program for learning ＣＮＡ by your idea,but i didn't pass with my writing test :crying2: ,i got 72% only . then i need to wait to next month for next test. well ,Ｉ am Chinese, English is not my language ,i have tried to study so hard. you know there are a lot of medical words before i never seen. i live in Memphis ,i like to hear from you.

EmergencyMedicine · Sep 17, 2008

hey, i am new! i have a ton of people who just recently started work as a new cna that are my close friends. They were all soooo nervous and were not quite sure what to think. Now a few months later they LOVE it and i'm gonna do it too.

Rumor has it they won't just throw you into your work. You will go step by step with a fellow CNA who will be "orientating" you. You will work with them or alongside them for a few days till you get the hang of things.

You will be just fine i'm sure. Just remember if you have any questions or concerns, just ask your nurse in charge of your unit and they would rather answer your question then have you potentially hurt a patient.

Good LUCK