4th night on the job and I cried all the way home

[lilbearzmom]

I'm a new STNA (just got my license on September 15), and am working for a local Rehab/LTC facility. I have never worked in healthcare before, so this is a total career change. I am still training because I requested more orientation, which they did give me. Anyway, I am really paranoid about flipping someone out of bed while turning them to change them or reposition them- it's going to take time. They had me check and change one of the "easy" residents by myself last night, and I was a total failure. Everything that could go wrong went wrong. I had to have the Unit Manager come and help me because my trainer was nowhere to be seen. I just felt like a complete idiot. I cried all the way home. Just a vent I guess- I hope it gets easier....

[PartyPiper]

I'm a little concerned that your trainer wasn't there. But other than that, practice practice practice. There really is no other way to learn this stuff other than being thrown in. Have you asked one of the other CNAs or nurses for help? Sometimes it helps to be honest and say "I don't have a lot of experience doing this, would you mind shadowing me or showing it to me one more time?" Most nurses and CNAs would rather you do it right. If they aren't training you properly and won't help you, find a new place to work, because that's a recipe for getting cited for something.

[interceptinglight, CNA]

It's very difficult at first. There's so much that you have to know in order to feel competent at this job, but with time and practice you'll be an expert. I'm a pretty fast learner and have a medical background (I'm a medical transcriptionist) but I had a very difficult time getting the hang of this job. I'm still a newbie, only been working as a CNA at this LTC facility since August, and I still seem to learn more with each shift.

[systoly]

My heart beating out of my chest, sweat running down my forehead and joining the puddle of urine on the floor. I've been in this room for ten minutes and the mess has only gotten bigger. Finally, after thirty minutes, the 5 minute job is sort of completed. I only did one thing right during my first week -I didn't give up. Today, I promise you I can run with the best.