Tips for a Future CNA! :)

lkwashington · Mar 7, 2011

Teamwork is the key!!!

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

The minute you disappear at least 3 call bells go off. Don't disappear lol.

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

You will find better answers if you seek a CNA forum.

sj73201, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

i'm serious, i hope to get this position as a CNA & i would like to know some things about how to make work effective. i would like serious answers please, thanks.

sj73201, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

i have posted in that forum as well but i was hoping to get some feedback from nurses that were CNAs, thanks

MurrR · Mar 7, 2011

Ask for help when you need it.

Seriously. Do not try to move the 350 pound woman who has had a stroke by yourself, even if everyone else is running their tails off, somebody can find five seconds to run in, move the woman with you, and run out again so you can continue your cares. Don't end your career before it's begun by doing things without help.

When somebody asks for your help, give it to them whenever possible.

If you're in the middle of assisting with a meal or helping someone shower or another involved care, that's cool, they'll understand that you can't leave your resident. If they need you for five minutes and you're between cares or caught up on your list, give them the five minutes.

It always helped me to know that on the hard days, somebody was coming in to relieve me. I could go home at the end of my shift. Some days I would say, "If I can make it to lunch, I can make it to report."

Difficult residents are...difficult. One of my instructors always told me to take them on as a "project" so to speak. Becoming the only staff that they like is a big undertaking sometimes, but the reward of being the only one who can get Mrs. Screams A Lot to take a shower is not to be underestimated.

Spend time with them on their terms. If they don't like chit chat, don't chit chat. If they don't like silence, yak it up. If they want to complain, listen and validate their feelings without validating the complaint - "I'm sorry to hear that you're angry." If they complain of something that you can do something about, do something! Maybe they want more towels the next time you shower them, or they'd like to shower more often. If they complain and there's somebody you can report to about it who can do something, then by all means report.

sj73201, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

thank you :)

MurrR · Mar 7, 2011

My pleasure. :)

OshkoshNursing · Mar 7, 2011

My number one thing is to always talk to the resident, even if they are HOH or don't respond back. I always tend to put myself in my residents shoes and think to myself, would I like that being done to me? Or even my loved ones? This helps a lot!!

Another thing would have to be to smile. :) The residents love this, it always seems to brighten their day. It's absolutely amazing when a resident who normally doesn't smile much, smiles at you every morning when you get them up.

I agree with MurrR, always ask for help if you can not do it on your own. You need your back and residents/patients need you. I am a petite girl and ask for help when I need it. It never hurts to ask for help, your coworkers may need your help too.

Let me tell you, you are going into a job that is very rewarding. Personally, I look forward to going into work. After a while, you will start to not even think of it as work. I know that sounds funny to say, but you will know what I mean.

Good Luck :)

rosey2007 · Mar 7, 2011

Well, I am not a nurse but have about 5 years of care giving experience. Anyway, make sure to be a team player and help when you are able. Be ready to build up a strong skin because many facilities will eat up the newbies.

ArmyWife11B · Mar 7, 2011

Hey! I'm currently a CNA at my local hospital. So I can help ya! Are you trying to get into a CNA class, or are you already a CNA and are trying to get a job? What you need are good references, and a great resume to get a job or to get into the class (sometimes its kind of competitive, try a semi personal detail in there so they can relate to you, on a different level) If you are wanting interview tips then I can only say be prepared for any different type of question and be confident in yourself and your abilities as a CNA (know your stuff :)) and in my interview they asked questions about what the averages were for normal Vital signs (stuff that CNA should know already) they just want to make sure you paid attention and can know when to report stuff to the nurse. Lastly..if you are wondering how to be good at your job in general, definitly Teamwork for sure! Another big one Communication, make sure you tell the nurses and the other staff whats going on, if you're too busy to help the nurse at the moment tell them why, and say how much longer it will take you and when you'll be available to help them. Multitask, multitask, multitask! If you are in a room getting a blood sugar and you'll need vitals soon, then get the vitals then, so that unless they need something, you wont have to go back in there for while. Also don't take things personal, some nurses expect alot and can get annoyed when you're not doing something they want you to. Also if they're having a bad day, sometimes as CNA's, we can take the brunt of their frustrations, but often they don't mean it the way it sounds. Other times there are nurses that are just b-tches and will be rude to you no matter what you do.

Sorry its sooo long but, I just like to give advice. If you need anything else at all let me know :)