Terminated from my first CNA job.

[esand]

This was because of what I posted about earlier, not knowing I was on the schedule because they wrote me in without my knowledge or consent, thus not being able to come in to work and waking up to a nasty phone call this morning. Also for generally being slow, which I don't get, because I've only been a CNA for a month, of course I'm slow and will take time to learn things.

*sad violin music plays*

Oh well, on to the next one.

Any advice on how to tell if a workplace is good or not when first going in? I'd like to know how to not waste my time in the future.

[WYOTACO]

I asked this question to my CNA instructor and she said you can spot great employers when they have excellent communication, orientation, and training. Ask about these beforehand or during the interview. If you get a chance, I would also talk to current employees and ask how they feel about working there.

[marsqueen]

I'm sorry, but I'm sure you will find a better job.

[Sally Lou]

I would totally fight this. Go to the DON and tell them you were put on without your consent.

[esand]

The DON is the one who called me to tell me I was being terminated, they didn't even give me a chance to explain. When I tried to tell her on the phone that I had been written in, she said I should have come in that morning when they called me instead of 'making excuses'. I don't drive myself, so I can't come in on 5 minutes notice, which I told the HR when she interviewed me.

I wasn't rude at all, just said alright and told her to have a lovely day. I'm trying to keep my reputation intact on this one because I live in a very small town, and word can spread around quickly if I **** them off, which would make it hard to get a new job. Trust me, I would fight the hell out of this termination if I saw a positive side to it. The DON, owner of the place and HR are all in mutual agreement that I need to go.

But the thing that really irks me is that they terminated me mainly for a no-call no-show, but I called them back after they called me and let them know I couldn't come in and that it was too short of notice. There was no lack of a phone call on my end, so I'm not sure how they could get me for such a thing. I would never just not call and not show up, that's ridiculous and irresponsible.

But as I said, I'll dust myself off here and continue, that place was bad news anyway.

[downsouthlaff, LPN]

Ive been a CNA for nearly year! All in Long Term Care Nursing Homes. And from my pesonal experience its about the same everywhere. My first job was at my hometown nursing home. It had a bad reputation but i went anyway. MISTAKE. Been at a facility in a town about 6 miles from home now about 9 monts. Much better. But i will say this, no matter how good the nursinh home all Management Sees CNAs as s dime and a dozen, replaceable, functional, robots. You can work at a facility 20 years as a CNA and not call in once, but the fitst time you call in becsuse your sick, they treat you like yoive been working there 2 days and your calling in already. CNA work is taken for granted by management much to much in my opinion (by management, not nurses). But on the flip side a Nurse whos been working at the facility 3 months can have a splinter and take off 3 weeks. Being a CNA you just have to learm to roll with it. Understand that your not gonna be praised for your hard work, your not gonna get rich, your not gonna improve quality of life for these people (overall) like many LTC Nurses and Aides think when they start out. And the ones who think there gonna change the way nursing homes are run, are the ones who are in a month and gone! (LPNs and CNAs). But the ones who realize that management is absolutely deliusional, and nursing homes are all tightwads, and work by the motto "I do the best i can with what i got" are the ones who make it 30 plus years in LTC. I personally love LTC and its stresses, its fast paced, you get a good workout, and the stress at times is so much you can cry literally. But if you ever quit LTC, even though your fed up, and had it and direly depressed, you still fond yourself wanting to go back. Its like this stress brings a stimulation. And this stress is alot worse for nurses i hear. The best times are when theres a highley contagious stomach virus going around the facility and everybodys sick, its so bad you cant walk or stand, and They actually expect that you can do that physically demanding CNA work loke that ! ?? you learn to laugh at management!

[downsouthlaff, LPN]

Anyway point of my story to your post is that as a CNA especially in LTC, from the ugliest facilities with the meanest people, to the nicest facilities with the nicest people its basically all the same. You call in, and you dont have a doctors excuse, expect at the very least suspension or some kind of punishment. Management thinks we are superhumans who are exempt from illnesses, child issues, flat tires, etc. but were not.

[funtimes]

The best way to tell is to talk to people who already work there if you can, especially relatively new CNAs, as the ones who worked there a long time might have a different perspective from the newer ones.

Aside from that its hit or miss I think. Toxic work environments arent always obviously apparent in the beginning. The person who interviews you is probably going to make it sound like the place is paradise regardless of the reality, so its tough to go by your interview.

Ive been relatively fortunate in my CNA experiences, although Ive yet to have a CNA job that was easy and low stress.