I'm a new CNA fresh out of school (became certified March 20th) and I started my first CNA job at the beginning of April. This was my second full week and my first week off orientation. I wonder if I am going to survive this job.
I work in a LTC facility in my town and I'm a float. I work morning shift (6am-2pm). I feel like I'm never going to catch on to this job. I'm still slow and not as efficient as the experienced aides, but I don't realize at the time what I am doing wrong and what's slowing me down.
For the past few days I've ended up crying at work because of the stress. I spent a good 4 or 5 days in a row on one floor while I was on orientation, but I'm a float now. I feel stupid and incompetent and I feel like I am slowing others down. I have no problem whatsoever assisting or helping someone do something, but I am just slow, inefficient, and sometimes clumsy. For example, there are some residents that have bolsters in their beds. I have a very difficult time turning them to change their briefs because if the bolsters are there, there isn't much room for me to turn them. I've tried pushing them up but that doesn't always work - some of the residents are very heavy, some are very fragile, and I'm a small woman and I am not very strong. I'm also afraid of hurting some of the residents if I turn them.
I want to be an asset to whatever floor I work on.. I'm a cooperative person and I don't mind working hard, but I just finished my second full week and I'm still not "getting it" as fast as I hoped I would. I've told some of my co-workers how I felt and they said I need to give it time, and they were in my shoes at one point. One girl gave me a hug today when I broke down crying in the bathroom. I feel fortunate to have co-workers that reassure me and all, but at the same time I can't help but wonder if deep down they want to smack me for being so dumb.
One of the biggest reasons I became a CNA was to help me decide if I should finish off my nursing degree (half of a BSN completed) or just go into another field of medicine like medical imaging (ultrasound, x-ray). If I am this stressed out as an aide there is no way in hell I will be able to make it as a nurse with 10x the responsibilities and workload. So it looks like ultrasound for me, but I wonder if I'm going to survive this job in the meantime.
How long has it taken some of you to be fast and comfortable with your job? I feel like that is an unachievable goal for me. Sometimes I just want to quit, but I'm 22 years old and I need to be doing something with my life.
First of all I want to thank you all for your replies and words of encouragement. It really helped and I think you guys were right. I am already starting to feel better.
The first day of this week was rough.. Monday night I was crying at the thought of going in the next day.. Tuesday morning I cried my eyes out because I was stressed. I was unfortunate enough to be on the floor with one of the less supportive (aka snotty) coworkers.. I was on a new hall doing new residents I had never seen before.. I went to ask her some questions and I could see the frustration in her face. She is very wary of new people. She has been at that facility for years and was an aide for even longer so she's very good at what she does. I'm still fairly new to this job and realistically I just cannot compete/be on par with someone much more experienced than I.
I talked to someone else about how I felt and they told me her and the other woman on the floor that day have reputations for not being helpful and acting somewhat catty towards others who need help. It got so bad that someone had to go to administration about it a few months back, so I am trying not to take it personally.
But seriously, the majority of my coworkers are *very* helpful.. they ask me often how I am holding up and offer their help to me whenever possible. They also try to encourage me when I feel like crap and I am discouraged.. It is getting a little better day by day. I think a lot of my new CNA frustrations and worries are common. I'm sure that once I'm exposed to most of the residents I'll be faster and develop a routine of my own. I just need to give it time. Small, gradual progress is better than no progress.
In fact I am feeling so much better that I am going in tomorrow on my day off for extra hours and experience. :) Confidence is getting a little better. It might be too early to tell yet but I think I'm gonna survive at this place.
Thank you again for all your words of encouragement, they really helped me relax and be easier on myself. You are an awesome bunch!
I am glad you are feeling better. I work agency and hate nursing homes-but ended up working in one this past week. I worked a double shift. The 6a-2p shift wonderful, 2p-10p shift horrible. The 2p-10p shift had two CNA bullies who made fun at me(said I looked stupid) and often refused to help with 2 person assist patients. They then tried to say they had done all my work in front of the nurse at the end of shift. During the shift they dropped a patient on the floor, taunted patients, one deliberatley spilled ice tea on a patient, most the time they could not be found or were Jiving with the Nurse on duty. So clearly one place-two different shifts-one heaven/one hell. The previous week I worked in a hospital-it was great. Lower patient ratio, majority of patients could walk and shower themselves, higher pay, more professionalism. ----------- I tell you this experience because your goal is to be a Nurse. Your experience having worked in one place, first medical job-don't be so hard on yourself and remember this one job/one place does not represent the whole nursing industry. Keep your eye on the prize! It is a big world out there.
I am glad you are feeling better. I work agency and hate nursing homes-but ended up working in one this past week. I worked a double shift. The 6a-2p shift wonderful, 2p-10p shift horrible. The 2p-10p shift had two CNA bullies who made fun at me(said I looked stupid) and often refused to help with 2 person assist patients. They then tried to say they had done all my work in front of the nurse at the end of shift. During the shift they dropped a patient on the floor, taunted patients, one deliberatley spilled ice tea on a patient, most the time they could not be found or were Jiving with the Nurse on duty. So clearly one place-two different shifts-one heaven/one hell. The previous week I worked in a hospital-it was great. Lower patient ratio, majority of patients could walk and shower themselves, higher pay, more professionalism. ----------- I tell you this experience because your goal is to be a Nurse. Your experience having worked in one place, first medical job-don't be so hard on yourself and remember this one job/one place does not represent the whole nursing industry. Keep your eye on the prize! It is a big world out there.
Yeah, I've heard many stories about how hospitals are generally better places to work. I'd probably enjoy it more, but hospital work will be a more feasible option once I have my own car and I have some experience under my belt.
Regarding my goal to be a nurse, I am honestly not sure if I want that anymore. I am very intimidated by how much you need to know to be a competent nurse. Not to mention the problems that can result if you make a mistake.. It just seems like a stressful life to live as a nurse. Very rewarding, and even in the dire economic crisis when many facilities are on hiring freezes it is still a more stable profession than most..
I love the versatility of nursing.. there are so many places you could work.. So many different groups of people you could work with too. So many specialties. That is one of the biggest things that has me constantly second guessing if I should be a nurse or not. I weigh the pros and cons all the time. The list is about equal for me and I am very confused.
I just don't know if such an intense, high pressure, high responsibility, high liability profession is right for me. There is also a steep learning curve to the profession, and with my obvious self esteem issues I'll probably feel stupid and be miserable for a while. I don't know if I just lack the confidence or if I am just truly not cut out for it.. It takes a special type of person. Not sure if I can hack it, you know? I think I am a very cooperative, team-oriented person.. I like to pull my own weight when I work and I like to do whatever I can to help others. I ask a lot of questions because I want to learn the residents--not only so I can be faster and more efficient at my job but also so I can give them good care, do stuff suited to their preferences whenever possible, etc. But that doesn't mean I'm cut out to be a nurse, and that is okay.
I think I might just fall back on medical imaging.. ultrasound tech or x-ray tech. Still poses a challenge to some degree, but at the end of the day I most likely won't have to worry if a mistake I made killed a person. The only thing about that field that worries me is job security. I hope I will be able to find a stable job in that field with the horrible economy.
You do impress me. ---- When I ---- la dee da ---- went to college it was completley normal that most people either 1.) Did not know what they wanted to do, or 2.) Knew what they wanted to do and found out they were not good at it and 3.) Changed thier major before graduating to include may of had to retake some classes because they flat out failed the class or in order to get thier GPA up so they could get accepted to a special program. Since you are just starting - all degrees require the basics english, math and so forth - so get thoose classes knocked out, relax a little and it will come to you. I loved a humanities class I took about film. Heck ---- la dee da ----- when I was your age unemployment was 23%. The economy is the economy - up, downs - just another part of life.
It's only been two weeks..remember that..it takes a lil while to figure out your routine. Ask for help, you cannot lift patients on your own. Remember that you only have one back. Working in an LTC is very hard work, but think about it, if you do decide to continue with your nursing, you will have that "strength" that you gained from being a CNA. I have been a CNA for about a year and a half now. It is a very demanding job, but in the long run, you learn how to use your observational skills, as well as how to communicate with the families and patients. It is worth it, trust me. I took my LVN NCLEX last month, still waiting for results. I became a CNA just for the experience and to see if I wanted to continue into nursing. Nursing is a very demanding profession, and if you can't handle CNA, maybe you should think twice.
Since you are just starting - all degrees require the basics english, math and so forth - so get thoose classes knocked out, relax a little and it will come to you. I loved a humanities class I took about film. Heck ---- la dee da ----- when I was your age unemployment was 23%. The economy is the economy - up, downs - just another part of life.
I already have a lot of my college classes out of the way. Basically, I've completed all but 2 pre-reqs for a BSN. If I was to continue nursing I would have to retake chemistry and take speech. But hey.. I guess my pre-nursing years weren't a total waste, because I can use a lot of those classes towards my Diagnostic Medical Sonography certificate. :) To enter the DMS program I would only need to take Physics and Ethics because I got my 2 A&P classes, math, english, etc out of the way.
It's only been two weeks..remember that..it takes a lil while to figure out your routine. Ask for help, you cannot lift patients on your own. Remember that you only have one back. Working in an LTC is very hard work, but think about it, if you do decide to continue with your nursing, you will have that "strength" that you gained from being a CNA. I have been a CNA for about a year and a half now. It is a very demanding job, but in the long run, you learn how to use your observational skills, as well as how to communicate with the families and patients. It is worth it, trust me. I took my LVN NCLEX last month, still waiting for results. I became a CNA just for the experience and to see if I wanted to continue into nursing. Nursing is a very demanding profession, and if you can't handle CNA, maybe you should think twice.
I wish I became a CNA years ago before even *attempting* to declare nursing as my major. Maybe I would have made my mind up sooner and I'd already have a career started by now. My 18 year old self didn't know what I know now. I'd probably be happier as an ultrasound tech so I think I am going to go that route. It's not as versatile or as in demand as nursing, but I think it is a better fit for me. I am going to stick with CNA as long as possible (I'm sure I'll eventually get used to it); I'll probably stay in this field until I finish ultrasound school.
Good luck on your NCLEX, I hope you get your desired results back. :)
I hated my first job as a CNA too. I had 14 pts, 7 of them bedbound & 4 others who spoke no English. I could not keep up & the other CNAs were not helpful & were merciless when it came to me being slow. Not sure I would ever have gotten fast enough to give anything like the care I would like to give. After 3 weeks I was offered a job in another LTC place where I have 7-8 pts, which makes a world of difference. Perfect, no, but MUCH better...
I believe you are being very smart and thinking if it's the career for you or not before being committed to a profession that will drive you crazy. I was on the flip side of your situation. I enrolled in the Rad. Tech program, loved it until I got to clinicals. There wasn't near enough patient contact or care that I was wanting and I tend to like being in the thick of things. As an X-Ray Tech you don't really get to be in involved in patient care, you are there to do your job and wait for patients. I wish I had the nerve to step up and say this wasn't right for me at the time... Bravo to you!
I don't know if everyone here will agree with me, but personally I think it's okay to build up to good care and skip the less important stuff at first. You get your vitals, walks, linen changes, and maybe even your showers out of the way before supper (on a good day), but after all the trays are picked up you still have to get all your people washed, lotioned and in bed. You have to do rounds and turn people and oral care, and everyone has their own routine, their own quirks, and a million unique requirements to be signed off on, plus safety measures like floor pads, alarms or whatever. And before you know it, you have to do your paperwork. It takes time to get it all down.
When I first started working in a new (more difficult) section I tried providing the same level of care I was giving the people in my old one. It just wasn't happening. I started only washing the face/hands/butt, skipping the lotion, and only turning people on last rounds, not even doing my 8 o'clock rounds. Each day as I got used to it I started doing more. Now I'm on the ball. But I had to work up to it.
First, I just want to say THANK YOU for your post because I'm in the EXACT situation you're in. I'm 22 years old too! I got my CNA license recently and have been working in a skilled nursing facility for a month. I absolutely hate working there, especially after yesterday when the charge nurse pointed out how slow I've been working in front of everybody in the break room. She said, "What's wrong with you? You spend too much time with each resident. Just do what you need to do and move on to the next resident." I didn't mind the criticism. I know I work slow and I've been working on moving faster, but what got to me was how she put me on the spot in front of all the other CNA's. After she said that, the entire room fell silent and I just felt HUMILIATED. Later on, I broke down and cried in the bathroom. I felt incompetent enough trying to keep up with other CNA's, but now the entire facility knows I'm incompetent.
Right now, I work as an On-Call so I never know when I work or which assignment I have until a couple hours before my shift. Each time I go into work, I always have new residents and new things to learn about each of them. This is part of the reason why I'm so slow. Everyday, I dread being called to work...
I've thought about quitting several times, but each time I tell myself to stay positive and maybe next time will be better. So far, that's not happening. I don't know what to do...it's really not that big of a deal if I do quit though because I'll be starting school in August. I guess I just don't want to be known as "the girl who quit just after a month" and be the new gossip topic of the facility...
So how are you doing at your work place? Are things getting any better? I'm so glad I found somebody like you I can relate my experience with. That's the reason why I love this site so much. You can always find somebody who is going through a similar situation you're going through. Allnurses is my remedy to a bad day at work. :)
I believe you are being very smart and thinking if it's the career for you or not before being committed to a profession that will drive you crazy. I was on the flip side of your situation. I enrolled in the Rad. Tech program, loved it until I got to clinicals. There wasn't near enough patient contact or care that I was wanting and I tend to like being in the thick of things. As an X-Ray Tech you don't really get to be in involved in patient care, you are there to do your job and wait for patients. I wish I had the nerve to step up and say this wasn't right for me at the time... Bravo to you!
Just a quick question because I am considering Rad Tech in addition to Ultrasound... is it extremely math intensive, and if so, is the math very difficult/challenging? Math is my weak spot so I am worried about this.
Good luck getting into a career that makes *you* happy and satisfied at the end of the day. :)
I don't know if everyone here will agree with me, but personally I think it's okay to build up to good care and skip the less important stuff at first.
I completely agree, this is what I have been trying to do. I've been trying to build my way up to a routine. But it is a bit tricky when I am on a new hall every day. My third week off orientation so I am still fairly new.
Hi Comfortably_Numb,
First, I just want to say THANK YOU for your post because I'm in the EXACT situation you're in. I'm 22 years old too! I got my CNA license recently and have been working in a skilled nursing facility for a month. I absolutely hate working there, especially after yesterday when the charge nurse pointed out how slow I've been working in front of everybody in the break room. She said, "What's wrong with you? You spend too much time with each resident. Just do what you need to do and move on to the next resident." I didn't mind the criticism. I know I work slow and I've been working on moving faster, but what got to me was how she put me on the spot in front of all the other CNA's. After she said that, the entire room fell silent and I just felt HUMILIATED. Later on, I broke down and cried in the bathroom. I felt incompetent enough trying to keep up with other CNA's, but now the entire facility knows I'm incompetent.
Right now, I work as an On-Call so I never know when I work or which assignment I have until a couple hours before my shift. Each time I go into work, I always have new residents and new things to learn about each of them. This is part of the reason why I'm so slow. Everyday, I dread being called to work...
I've thought about quitting several times, but each time I tell myself to stay positive and maybe next time will be better. So far, that's not happening. I don't know what to do...it's really not that big of a deal if I do quit though because I'll be starting school in August. I guess I just don't want to be known as "the girl who quit just after a month" and be the new gossip topic of the facility...
So how are you doing at your work place? Are things getting any better? I'm so glad I found somebody like you I can relate my experience with. That's the reason why I love this site so much. You can always find somebody who is going through a similar situation you're going through. Allnurses is my remedy to a bad day at work. :)
Hey! I, too, never know which assignment I have until I actually show up at my facility and clock in. I completely understand the stress that goes with that, having new residents, trying to learn them.
And it was absolutely unprofessional of that charge nurse to call you out like that in front of your co-workers. I'm sorry she did that to you.
Regarding things at my work place-yes, they *are* getting better. Little bit by bit. I'm learning more about the residents and trying to find little ways to increase my efficiency. Last week was very hectic and stressful with the state being there, but other than that it's usually fine.
My only major complaint now are a few co-workers of mine.. there are three bad apples that I've had to work with so I consider myself fortunate. But I worked on the floor with two of those women and it was terrible. They're intimidating.. also, all but two of my assigned residents on that hall are TWO-PERSON TRANSFERS so that means I have to track those other ladies down to get my residents out of bed and into their chairs for transporting. Then I have to do it AGAIN after lunch so I can change their briefs. I wouldn't mind this if the two women on that hall weren't so rude to me. I was on the verge of tears at work today because of them. Turns out that other workers have had to go to administration about them multiple times, and I'm afraid I might be another one of them. I especially hate when they go to lunch or breaks and take 2x the allotted time.. breaks are 10 minutes and lunches are 30 minutes.. they took two 20 minute breaks and a 45 minute lunch today. This wouldn't bother me all that much if they were more respectful.. they also pulled that crap off when the state was there, and I was a nervous wreck handling the entire hall by myself with the state there.. I can't be in 2 or 3 rooms at once.
But I am glad to hear you aren't quitting. It should get better in time, even if it's only bit by bit. Good luck to you! This place really is a good source of support and answers to questions. Now I know what the other posters meant when they said they come here to vent after a bad day, but usually keep quiet after a good day, heh.
It is a big world out there.
I got my CNA license recently and have been working in a skilled nursing facility for a month. I absolutely hate working there, especially after yesterday when the charge nurse pointed out how slow I've been working in front of everybody in the break room. She said, "What's wrong with you? You spend too much time with each resident. Just do what you need to do and move on to the next resident." I didn't mind the criticism. I know I work slow and I've been working on moving faster, but what got to me was how she put me on the spot in front of all the other CNA's. After she said that, the entire room fell silent and I just felt HUMILIATED. Later on, I broke down and cried in the bathroom. I felt incompetent enough trying to keep up with other CNA's, but now the entire facility knows I'm incompetent.
Comfortably_Numb
42 Posts
Just a little update..
First of all I want to thank you all for your replies and words of encouragement. It really helped and I think you guys were right. I am already starting to feel better.
The first day of this week was rough.. Monday night I was crying at the thought of going in the next day.. Tuesday morning I cried my eyes out because I was stressed. I was unfortunate enough to be on the floor with one of the less supportive (aka snotty) coworkers.. I was on a new hall doing new residents I had never seen before.. I went to ask her some questions and I could see the frustration in her face. She is very wary of new people. She has been at that facility for years and was an aide for even longer so she's very good at what she does. I'm still fairly new to this job and realistically I just cannot compete/be on par with someone much more experienced than I.
I talked to someone else about how I felt and they told me her and the other woman on the floor that day have reputations for not being helpful and acting somewhat catty towards others who need help. It got so bad that someone had to go to administration about it a few months back, so I am trying not to take it personally.
But seriously, the majority of my coworkers are *very* helpful.. they ask me often how I am holding up and offer their help to me whenever possible. They also try to encourage me when I feel like crap and I am discouraged.. It is getting a little better day by day. I think a lot of my new CNA frustrations and worries are common. I'm sure that once I'm exposed to most of the residents I'll be faster and develop a routine of my own. I just need to give it time. Small, gradual progress is better than no progress.
In fact I am feeling so much better that I am going in tomorrow on my day off for extra hours and experience. :) Confidence is getting a little better. It might be too early to tell yet but I think I'm gonna survive at this place.
Thank you again for all your words of encouragement, they really helped me relax and be easier on myself. You are an awesome bunch!