Strange question / Vent thread.

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Okay, please don't laugh...lol :) I'm an older student going back to school for the first time since College 30 years ago!

I honestly have not used basic math skills in a long, long time, ummm 30 years? Especially multiplication. And was never good at math in the first place. :eek:

Seems like today everything is "Spell check", calculators...etc.

I carry a small pocket calculator in my scrubs pocket. 2 x 4 inches. My Clinical Instructor looked at me like I had two head if I asked if I could use it. Obviously, she was against it. I saw sooo many students trying to figure out vitals today in their heads. Whatever the vital x 4.

Wouldn't it be a lot faster and accurate to use a small calculator as opposed to spending the time figuring out the sum and possibly come up with the wrong number?

What could I say to her to let me use it????

Tonight two students followed around our assigned CNA for a very hands on experience. Our CNA constantly yelled at us to move faster, cut a lot of corners, (restrained a patient's hands to change her briefs), dropped pillows on the floor and used them anyway. Laughed when we used gloves as instructed my our Clinical Instructor.

During shower time a Resident had several bowel movements resulting in it getting all over the floor, which was okay, but when my fellow student and I asked about disinfecting it, the CNA said she had no idea.

Basically, she didn't want to hear it. She just used the shower head to rinse the waste off the floor, and shower chair.

Not very hygienic nor fair to the next patient who has to use the chair.

For what CNA's get paid, I'd rather stock shelves in Walmart to be honest. This is not the career path for me.

I enjoy taking care of patients, but just can't bring myself to tidy them up and toss them back into bed like they aren't human beings.

I'll be doing vitals next week, and honestly would like to use my pocket calculator... How am I going to do this? :confused:

I DO understand that in order to finish, you have to keep moving, but I didn't learn a heck of a lot as she just cut corners anyway possible.

:( Why can't LTC facilities hire the right amount of CNA's to give quality patient care? What a huge mistake I made thinking this would be a good fit. Ugh!

Specializes in CNA.
For what CNA's get paid, I'd rather stock shelves in Walmart to be honest. This is not the career path for me.

I enjoy taking care of patients, but just can't bring myself to tidy them up and toss them back into bed like they aren't human beings.

I tidy them up and toss them back into bed like they are human beings.

LTC facilities are, to put it very mildly, a very challenging place to learn about nursing.

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Specializes in CNA.
If I remember correctly, in class we were supposed to take the pulse for a full minute and that's how we did at the state exam too.

Clinicals are for learning and practice. If you are only supposed to get 30 seconds worth of vitals, then you NEED to get 30 seconds worth of vitals. How else are you going to get the practice you need? The worst that will happen is the CNA you're following will walk out before you're ready and you have to catch back up with her. What does she care anyway? It's only for a few days, then you can walk out of there knowing what NOT to do.

Remember this experience when you are training someone yourself.

Unfortunately it is our Clinical Instructor who insists on 15 seconds for vitals.

I was feeding a Resident last week and she dozed off in the middle. So I did a few vitals on her for experience. Her pulse was fine for a bit, then sped up very quickly, then went back to normal.

I just don't agree that 15 seconds is accurate as changes can occur at the 20-25 second mark.

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Specializes in CNA.
It is basic math, and I would think that knowing basic math should be a requirement for getting a license in a health career. It really should not be too much to ask.

Virtually all nursing courses require perfect/ near perfect scores on pharmacy classes. Yes, we frequently will use calculators later, but when you are in class it is time to prove that you can do it on your own.

Well, sorry I'm not perfect, and am not ashamed to admit it. Congratulations on your perfect scores.:yawn:

If you read my post, it has been 30 years since College. There are not many jobs out there today that don't have the advantage of spellcheck, calculators, etc.

I worked in a Laboratory for 20 years and everything was computerized, everyone used calculators, even the Techs. I think many of the very young school age kids rely on calculators too much and are losing out on the basic math skills.

I also have not worked in 5 years. Another disadvantage. I'd rather be correct and accurate over anything else when it comes to vitals. Coffeemate, thanks for the tip. :)

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Maybe your instructor is putting more emphasis on the 15 second method because she is thinking about what your eventual workload will be once you are out on the job? I've seen CNAs in orientation told "hurry up you are taking too long" so many times!

There is no question that 15 seconds is the absolute minimum - 30 better especially if you feel irregularities in the first 15. I'm really old school with vitals. The electronic methods aren't a one to one replacement on the manual methods.

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Exactly what do you mean by "restraints"? There are levels. Was she just holding her hands out of the way, or did she tie them? I'm confused.

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Specializes in CNA.
Exactly what do you mean by "restraints"? There are levels. Was she just holding her hands out of the way, or did she tie them? I'm confused.

No, she was not holding them out of the way. The CNA took the Resident's gown and wrapped her hands up with it. She was not combative at all. Just reaching down. I fed this Resident last week and she was a doll.

When we had a chance to speak to our Clinical Instructor toward the end of class, she too was quite upset over this. Since she is my teacher, I'm going by what she says. She considered it "Unlawful Restraint". A no-no unless a written Md's order is given.

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I completed my CNA training in the summer of 2010. I have been working as a CNA since......

I can tell you that your view will drastically change once you start working and have your own assignments. Imagine having 14-16 total care residents per shift..... it is a lot of work and you cannot take your time. It is sad to say, but that is how it has to be because CNA's are way over worked.

The part of your post about a pillow falling on the floor....... I can GUARANTEE you that once you start working, there is no way you will go get another pillow case for that pillow. Unless that pillow falls in blood, urine, etc., you will pick that pillow right back up off the floor and use it.

You will cut many corners, but you will develop a routine which includes making sure the most important things are done first.... residents are dry and safe.

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Specializes in LTC.
I tidy them up and toss them back into bed like they are human beings.

Who doesn't like to lay in bed, anyway? Most of my residents BEG to get go back to bed as soon as I get them up in the morning! :lol2:

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OK-yes - simliar to you with the calculator/I am not a computer wiz and don't have a mouse. So The quick math for a vital is count 30 seconds times two - what you get don't worry about - what it should be just report it. If it is a real unregular pulse - count for 1 minute and report it. If you have a worry or question just tell the nurse on duty. Unless your caluclator has a stop watch - it is going to be of no use to you. I went back to college late and my first computer class stressed back up - all I could relate that to was driving. Keep it simple and you will be ok. Also not only are CNAs overloaded - it is a fact of our society in all professions - so we all work too hard, are underpaid (it is our choice to work or not) - as a CNA I say thank? The job is more than money, muscle, pain and a heart-it is a passion. At least we can work and it is a blessing. :) Good Luck:jester:

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
Well, sorry I'm not perfect, and am not ashamed to admit it. Congratulations on your perfect scores.:yawn:

If you read my post, it has been 30 years since College. There are not many jobs out there today that don't have the advantage of spellcheck, calculators, etc.

I worked in a Laboratory for 20 years and everything was computerized, everyone used calculators, even the Techs. I think many of the very young school age kids rely on calculators too much and are losing out on the basic math skills.

I also have not worked in 5 years. Another disadvantage. I'd rather be correct and accurate over anything else when it comes to vitals. Coffeemate, thanks for the tip. :)

No one is asking to be perfect. It does not matter where you have worked that has spellcheck or calculators. And it does not matter that it has been 30 years since college.

You are in school, and the expectation is that you must know BASIC math to pass. And it is math that should have been rote by the time you left primary school. If you need to practice it, just like skills - you practice it and learn, because it required for school. What you choose do in the future, or have in the past is your business, but until you leave school, you have to learn what they require.

As far as accuracy I have dealt with CNAs that relied on calculators. I have also had MDs (when I was in charge), find serious errors in their calculations, errors that should have been obvious.

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Well it is a thing - I have friend that can't coprehend-my easy explaination- a quarter is 1/4th or 25 percent of a dollar-but boy are they better bargain shopers than I am? Goes to show ya :banghead:

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In the amount of time you take to whip out the calculator, you could have counted for the full minute. In school and in testing situations, we were required to count for a full minute anyway. Besides, it is more accurate and you are afforded more time to hear an unusual rhythm.

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