Too intense

[norbu]

Wow I have been an NA for a few months now in an abdominal transplant and I am so stressed out. Does anyone know of any units that are slower paced? EG, not being understaffed. My hours are riduculous as well. 12 hr days and nights all over the place. I may work a day get a day off work a day get a day off work two days get a day off.... you get the picture. It sucks. I'm living in a small city. Any one have any suggestions where to find a slower paced NA job with usually better hrs. I understand this is subject to be different depending on so many factors. But I am wondering if in general some NA jobs are actually slower paced. Thanks for any info.

I love working with the patients but it's just too high paced,

Norbu

PS Anyone know about medsurg NA's?

[love_being_an_aide]

you've only been a cna a few months. take a deep breath and try to relax. i know what you're going through. we all do. it takes time to get yourself into a routine that is comfortable for you. it will happen though. i work on a med/surg. floor and it sure ain't no cakewalk, trust me. many times we will have just finished our work and then we need to toilet patients, walk them down the hall for rehab., get them ready for tests/exams...it's busy, busy, busy. i personally don't know of any units that are of slower paced really, because each unit has it's own unique "craziness" that goes with the territory. i also do home-health, and it's a nice pace. you meet with your client(s) and do your task and move on. sometimes you'll have one patient that you meet with everyday, and you really get to know them. but don't worry. you're just getting your feet wet. things will start to work out for you. :nuke:

[TiggerBelly]

I agree with love_being_an_aide. Give yourself some time to find your own pace. I also work on a medical unit and some days are insane, others flow at a good pace and if your lucky you may get an extra break.

One of the things I noticed is that you mentioned is your schedule being out of whack. If your hours are messed up and you are working days and nights, your body will also be out of whack and your work may suffer because of it. See if you can't get your schedule fixed to where your hours will be more dependable. Being well rested will also help in your new job. Good luck

[casi, ASN, RN]

It really does take time to get your own pace. I was very uncomfortable for about my first year, and I still have moments where I feel like a chicken with my head cut off trying to cross a busy freeway.

Things will calm down for you and become second nature.

First thing you need to do is learn how to prioritize your tasks, if you don't know what to do ask.

Second you need to get comfortable with your skills. The more comfortable you are the faster you get through them.

I work on a cardiac unit and it's pretty darn crazy at times. I think what makes it easier to handle is I work with amazing nurses who are always willing to jump in and help which makes things flow much nicer. I used to work in Assisted Living which was pretty laid back. I wonder if a long term unit where patients stay for awhile would help you. While it maybe more work you'd be able to create a routine, it might help you become more comfortable with being a CNA.

When it comes to schedule, I would sit down with whoever writes the schedule and set limits. Give them your availability and see if you can come up with a block schedule.