Terrible first clinical experience (CNA)

ktliz · Feb 23, 2011

I'm sorry that you are having this experience, and I don't have any advice to offer. But I just wanted to say that I think you are going to be a great nurse. The residents are very lucky to have you, if only for a short time as a student-CNA. Good luck in your education and career.

CaregiverGrace · Feb 23, 2011

Typical. Not sure what else to say, but as others here I'm sure will tell you, this situation is not out of the ordinary. I think you might be overreacting slightly as you are used to the standards taught in school, which are often ignored once you hit the floor in nursing. But you're right, and sadly nothing you say or do at this place is likely to change what anyone else does. All you can do is offer the best care you can, and hope and pray a few others follow.

bustthewave · Feb 23, 2011

Typical. Not sure what else to say, but as others here I'm sure will tell you, this situation is not out of the ordinary. I think you might be overreacting slightly as you are used to the standards taught in school, which are often ignored once you hit the floor in nursing. But you're right, and sadly nothing you say or do at this place is likely to change what anyone else does. All you can do is offer the best care you can, and hope and pray a few others follow.

That's what I was afraid of... and that's really sad and pathetic that healthcare is like this... I understand how jaded you can become, doing the same things every day with no help or support, and only being defeated by families and those in charge, and that good things you do go un-noticed, but careless things will get you fired.

But frankly, none of that compares to the indignity of treating someone like an object. I dunno, I don't think I am over reacting at all honestly. And what is worse, and scary... is that I will most likely agree with you in a few years that I was completely over reacting.

When did it become okay to treat the elderly as objects? Just because someone can't speak, doesn't mean there aren't moments of understanding, where they at least are aware of being exposed and naked, maybe not on a detailed level... but it must be scary and confusing none the less. But even if they were completely un-aware of their surroundings, is it still alright to bash their families and play MTV in front of them?

These are human lives. They don't stop being human just because they are old... I think I'm going into the wrong profession if this is the norm.

ShannonRN2010, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2011

I would address your concerns with your teacher or director of your program.

Its a shame that these ones are being taken care of so poorly

highlandlass1592, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2011

I am not going to agree that it is ok for this to happen. I've been in healthcare a while now, started out as a CNA/HHA and tech. I would never treat my patients that way then nor do I now.

But what IS hard to realize, once you hit the floor is that not all people share your views. You can only give the best care you can and can't be responsible for other people. Yes, you can report people for negligence but not much you can do for those who truly don't care. If you allow it, it will eat you up inside. You need to learn that while YOU are there, your patients are getting the best you can provide. That is what is important.

Listen, I had to leave the nursing home I worked at as a CNA due to the fact it was KILLING me. At that time, 3 aides for 65 patients, I was making less than $4 an hour and was working 65-70 hours a week and I still couldn't pay my bills. It broke my heart to leave, and my patients all told me "who will care for me when you are gone?"....but I had to live. If I didn't make a move, I would have ended up homeless.

I've come to realize over the years...it's not just the elderly but anyone who isn't able to speak up for themselves that are at risk. As a nurse, my job is to advocate for such patients..to be that voice in the wilderness when no one else will speak up. If you are becoming a CNA to eventually become a nurse, remember this time. Take it with you to your classes, nursing clinicals and eventually your job. I tell you now, it won't change when you become a nurse. Just follow YOUR standard for how to care for your patients..do the best you can and you have to leave the rest in God's hands.

Katie5 · Feb 23, 2011

This experience in all honesty has made me want to die in a car accident tomorrow, before ever getting old and being in that situation. I would rather lose the rest of my life now, than to end up being in that situation later.

Be careful what you wish for.

Cessna172 · Feb 23, 2011

Thank you for your concern for those patients (residents). Now you have a firsthand example of how crappy some healthcare workers can be. Good luck in school.

Scrubby · Feb 23, 2011

I am sorry to hear about your experience. Unfortunately this sort of treatment is not rare at all. I too have seen the neglect and abuse of residents and I shudder to think of any of my family or myself ending up in a nursing home.

Maybe discuss your experience with your clinical educator and ask for advice on how to deal with these situations.

Jenni811, RN · Feb 23, 2011

First off, i want to thankyou for your concern for these residents!! It is bad patient care....Not only is this a "resident" it is someones mother, someones sister etc. maybe this residents sister is "horrible" because the CNA's are horrible!! Ok, so here is my two cents on this.

I was a CNA for 3 years on a unit that sounds ALOT like this unit; however we were "state of the art" facility. They took NOTHING lightly, any concern that was brought to the manager, we were gone!! Our CNA's were very very good-- we've never had a complaint before about anyone. Our residents were taken very well care of. Given we had "down time" after lunch as well, but we knew which residents wanted to take a nap. We would work on teams to get them to sleep, in bed and comfortable in the way they like. (We had residents who prefered to take a nap in a recliner--wasnt 'neglect' it was just wat they like). So try to think of some things like that...i mean the CNA's DO know the residents, and they do have their routines. But leaving a call light on for 30 minutes should never ever happen! EVER!!...our manager actually has us do activities with residents who are awake. This keeps us up/moving and not being lazy. We only had like 3 or 4 that would stay awake during this time, so we would do things like bake cookies for snack time. Snack time was after nap....or if it was nice out we would take the residents for a walk outside. We would put the ones in wheelchairs that needed to be. Get everyone comfortable/in the right clothing etc. This is the way a nursing home should be!!!! What really makes me mad about this though, is they had to pay EXTRA for this care!!! No one should have to pay "extra" for this sort of care....it should be implemented at every place.

The fact you are showing concern for these residents is a good thing-- it means you care, and thats what is needed in this field. Stick through it, stick up for the residents when needed. I too saw some horrible things when i was in CNA clinicals years back. I get really worked up over one thing i saw, words can't even explain how horrible it was!! You know what though?? as an ALMOST nurse (i graduate BSN in May) i do not let this occur with my patients. I now work as CNA in a hospital, if i see a patient not getting the care they deserve, i say something.

You will learn your place, and what needs to be said and when to say something. I'm really happy there are people like you out in the field.

You realize this is wrong, and that is what is important. Keep up the good work, and stick with it. Not every place is like this. :nurse: You'll make a great nurse with the compassion you are showing.

Jenni

Orange Tree · Feb 23, 2011

A lot of that sounds pretty horrible, but I have had confused patients who want to get in bed, then out of bed, then in bed, then out of bed, etc. every five minutes. If I know a patient is confused and requesting things they don't genuinely want or need, I may not come running. As a student, I would have.

steelydanfan · Feb 23, 2011

Typical. Not sure what else to say, but as others here I'm sure will tell you, this situation is not out of the ordinary. I think you might be overreacting slightly as you are used to the standards taught in school, which are often ignored once you hit the floor in nursing. But you're right, and sadly nothing you say or do at this place is likely to change what anyone else does. All you can do is offer the best care you can, and hope and pray a few others follow.

I don't think he is "overreacting" at all, he is simply stating the dichotomy between his classes "standards" and the real life as he has seen it now.

He is seeing poor care, and can and should report it to his instructors.

All any of my above posters did was acknowledge the norm, and than give in to it. THAT is sad.