two weeks as a CNA, and something doesnt seem right?

I agree that 5 minutes training on how to use the hoyer lift is nowhere near enough. Hygiene Queen and Lori gave you some good advice and I have nothing to add to it. I do agree that you should have a buddy to assist you until you have been around for a few weeks then let you go on your own.

I was an aid for three months in nursing school, and it was insane the lack of training I had having never worked in health care before. I was a nursing student but most of my experience at that point had been with mostly alert patients who could help me move them.

thanks everyone for your help and advice. I accept responsbility for my choices and lack of inaction. I will use this experience to learn and grow.

I was a CNA for five yrs, 3 of those in LTC. We did not wake residents who were continent and moving independently in bed. If they repositioned themelves BUT were incontinent, we'd say "Time to check your bed" and look w/ a flashlight. Keeping residents clean/dry and repostioning them is VERY important though! If you're interested to know why, Google Image "pressure ulcers." (what used to be called "bedsores.") I don't recommend looking at those pictures on a full stomach, or just before eating.

Mechanical lifts are not supposed to be operated by a single caregiver. It's dangerous. One of the first patients I cared for during orientation on my current job was an LTC resident who was dropped from a lift getting into the bathtub, and she hit her head causing a brain bleed...hence the need to go to the ICU. It's not about your abilities or your work ethic to be uncomfortable doing it alone. It's about resident safety.

I would bet my license that your facility has a policy requiring two staff members to participate in any transfers using a lift. At my facility all transfers requiring lifts require two staff members, but the aids never follow this policy. If they did, they would be hard-pressed to get their work done.

It's a real problem that your co-worker said, "No" when you asked for help.

Yeah...I understand your concerns. I remember when I was a CNA for 7 years before I became RN. I don't think is good Idea to wake those LTC residents to check them....understanding that it take them forever to fall asleep, so it will be hard for them to get sleep again. I think every CNA needs to know really who is a heavy weter resident, then pay particular attention on those. Plus, some of them usually know when they are wet and push call light.

You are right in that 2nd shift is probably the best shift for a new CNA to start out on. It's not too fast of a pace (like first), and you get to know the residents better (as opposed to 3rd shift, where most are sleeping). You can plead your case to your boss and say what you might think went wrong, what you think you could do differently, and ask if they would be so gracious as to let you try another shift. Good luck.

No, neglect is not going to show up on your background record. And it sounds like you were still working after the night shift ended. If you are unsure that you can't take care of a patient/resident one-on-one than be not ashamed to go ask another cna or nurse to help you. I would. And if anyone refuses to help u, leave the residents who are not 1-to-1 assistance dressed in bed.

If this happens again, you should make sure you remember the name of the CNAs who blew you off and the nurses who were working with you and a letter to the DON and your union rep saying you didnt get any assistance.

I started out in LTC as a 15 yr old; i ran into multiple problems because our state law dictated that no one under 16 was allowed to come in contact with another's bodily fluids (urine, blood, bm-the works).

Well, like anything else it didn't happen. Just the same as you trying to do nursing tasks, it never goes the way you want. Until you have extensive years under your belt you are always running behind unless you do not do your job fully as an aide. You will not get help very much, learning to use the machines i.e hoyer often comes with the more you use it. I used it 1:1 all the time when i worked, but many facilities have since changed it two 2 people minimum for safety reasons. However, you still run into a bind having to be a one man army.

I never put a bra on ever until i was an aide. Same with dressing old ladies in appropriate clothes. Which is why i chose the PM/night shift. However, either way you just learn best not by being taught on a doll, but through doing over and over until you get it down and have the confidence to get through hell and high water when you need to.

Dude it will take time. Patient care is not easy thats why not everyone can do it if they are trying to do it right. You will be able to handle the stress of being an hour being, or handle difficult assigns, and combat the stress of State over your shoulder watching your every move. It all just comes with the job. Just keep workin at it and be calm for your self and for your patients. An anxious caregiver makes an anxious patient. If your slow, then be slow, but work at getting faster, and better. Talk to your patients so they know and talk yourself through it it helps relieve the stress.

Get used to the idea that you may be alone as an aide and don't expect help from nurses. I've been in different situations over the years as an aide and nurse. Some facilities are great with teamwork with the nurses helping out and others freaking terrible.. You got to give the nurses some credit because they have an entirely different job to do and don't always have time or want to do patient care. Some even forget how... Its CNA's not nurses that know the patients best. Take pride in that.

Have you ever thought about working in a hospital setting? Its a different change of pace somewhat. Where i did my clinical had many male aides working on the floor. Many were young. I was surprised.