What does a typical day of a CNA consist of?

mirandaaa · Apr 21, 2015

Well to be truthful, there's really no way to answer this and be consistent because everyone has a different routine and it depends on the shift and the facility and even who you're working with.

There's no "set time" for really anything, you just have to do what you can as you go.

Generally for long term care, the 10p-6a shift would put the remaining people in bed, wash wheelchairs, restock rooms, answer lights, check and change people throughout the night, charting, sometimes vitals and snacks and then usually start getting people up around 5.

6a-2p shift spends the morning getting people up, dressed, bathed based on schedule, taken to breakfast, taken to activities/physical therapy, given snacks, taken to lunch, answer lights, charting, vitals, check and change and toilet people.

2p-10p shift finishes bathing everyone left, taking to dinner, charting, vitals, getting people ready for bed, night time snack, check and change and toilet people, answer lights.

There are tons of other things I'm sure I'm missing, but for those shifts those are essentially the duties but there's never really a scheduled time for anything other than meals and snacks.

Lulu Belle, RN, EMT-B · Apr 21, 2015

There is a fantastic article by another Allnurses member called, "A Day in the Life of a Rehab CNA." It gives a minute by minute description of a typical day for a CNA--exactly what you're looking for.

Just type the title in the search bar on the homepage and it should come up.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Apr 21, 2015

Mirandaaa wrote a pretty good description. I'd also emphasize measuring urine output, getting wet while showering pts, cleaning up messy code Browns, lots of transfers (moving pts using your physical strength)

Talking to your pts, listening to them, trying to learn what the nurses/ doctors goals are and supporting those. Helping pts feel better and look good. This includes styling hair, helping apply make up, applying lotion, reporting skin injuries to the nurse.

You don't stop moving, unless you are assigned a 1:1 pt.

mirandaaa · Apr 21, 2015

Mirandaaa wrote a pretty good description. I'd also emphasize measuring urine output, getting wet while showering pts, cleaning up messy code Browns, lots of transfers (moving pts using your physical strength)

I lol'd at the code browns.

I could write a book on the amount of stuff that goes on as a CNA! Just remember that one person's routine may not be what yours is; you have to figure out what works best for you!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Apr 22, 2015

I was totally serious about the code Browns! ðŸ˜€I could tell you stories about rivers of feces due to go-lytely. Or I could the story about the explosive feces that landed a drop on my face!

Seriously though, I believe that keeping pts clean is a way to preserve their dignity. I think it's all important work.

mvm2 · Apr 22, 2015

Hmm a typical day.... unfortunetly many of our so called schedules are non existing being something always happens to disruped them.

I say every day is a new adventure as a CNA. Expect the unexpected and the job will always keep you on your toes. You never know what surprises will be in store for you.

All I can say though is embrace each day. Some days will be great and others horrible beyond words. But I pray for you that the good days will out weigh the bad.

hookyarnandblanket · Apr 22, 2015

Be cayuse I work in a hospital, my routine varies everyday, but there is a loose structure to it. I usually clock in around 0615 and perform all vital signs needed for providers and put them in the computer. I sit in on report at 0645, and we hit the floor running anywhere between 0700 and 0715. We get patients up and ready to eat from that point until the breakfast cart arrives. We serve breakfast at 0730, pick up trays, and start baths. We typically have anywhere between 5-7 baths to do before 2nd shift comes on, so we sometimes don't get a lunch break. At 1130, I take any q4 vital signs and put them in the computer. We get everyone up for lunch and serve lunch trays at 1200. We collect the trays and lay people down at 1300. We gather all trash and dirty laundry, finish any remaining baths, and pass ice and snacks between 1330 and 1400. We chart at 1415 or so, do a last bed check, report off to 2nd shift at 1430, and I leave around 1445, or I stay until 1500 if needed. All in between is toileting, linen changes, helping x-ray or PT transfer patients, or completing admits. Sometimes I get called to the ER to help with patient transfer or other needs.

Not to sound elitist, but at my hospital, 1st shift is the hardest, busiest, most fast-paced shift. We get patients up twice, serve two meals, and do all bathing. We have to be efficient and prioritize on our feet. Teamwork is a must and those of us who work 1st shift at my hospital have developed a routine that works. Really, teamwork, prioritization, and time efficiency are the key to this job just as much as empathy, self reliance, caring, and patience.

Missingyou, CNA · Apr 23, 2015

Here, in a nutshell, is what I do as a CNA working 2nd shift in a nursing home.

Again, every single day is different. Most days I just have to go with the flow because things happen and altho I try to have a routine, stuff happens and I have to change things up and "live in the moment". If you decide to work in a nursing home you will have to your running shoes on and be able to deal with CONSTANT changes. Changes in YOUR routine, resident's condition, etc.

2pm I arrive on shift, get my assignment as far as which resident's I'm responsible for. Generally I have the same 11 resident's but it's not unusual to be bumped to a different unit, be given additional residents due to short staff, etc

Get linens and reports from day shift on resident's condition, any changes etc. Check on resident's and their where abouts. Check if they need toileting, getting briefs (AKA diapers) changed. If I need to do showers, I try to get them done ASAP as long as resident is willing.

There is very little time in between, but, if I do have time, I tidy rooms and fill supplies. Chat with resident's. Reposition resident's and get vitals. Prepare for the dinner rush.

Before 4pm I am starting to get people up and ready for dinner. This usually takes an entire 2 hours to get all my resident's AND assist with my hall mates 2 assists. That includes toileting, transferring from bed to chair, putting on clean clothes if needed, hair brushed and bringing them down to pre dinner activities. Often, I have one or more resident that will decide they will NOT be getting up so I will have to call down to the kitchen and order dinner in their room. There is also the sometimes combative resident who MUST be changed because of "code brown" and you've put it off as long as possible hoping for the resident's cooperation and I've tried EVERY trick I know. Sometimes they are just too confused...and consent is not possible!

BEFORE 6pm I have to be in the diningroom ready to assist with serving dinner and feeding at least 1 resident and encouraging 2 others to eat...all while keeping somewhat of a nice conversation going so they enjoy their meal. :) Seems easy until the one I am feeding becomes angry with me or another resident(noone knows why except her, it's part of her dementia) at which point I need to decide how to defuse the situation...switch spots with another CNA, change the topic of conversation, sit just behind her so she doesn't see me or remove her completely from the dining room.

6:30ish Dinner is (hopefully) over. Assist the resident's back to their room or towards the activity for the evening. Assist with some of the clean up of the dining room. Toilet at least some of the residents.

I am scheduled to be on MY dinner break for 7pm but it almost never happens because the needs of the resident's come first. Once everyone is toileted that says they need to, I can go...usually 7:15-7:30 before I actually go.

By 8pm I am getting everyone in bed that wants in bed...which is just about everyone including my hall mates resident's. Generally that includes roughly 10 people....of which at least 1 needs convincing that they need to shower before hand...

All the while this is going on:

~call lights need answering,

~resident's need comforting if they are upset/confused/lost etc.

~ running to "catch" resident's (who have forgotten they can no longer walk without help) from falling because they've gotten out of bed or out of their chairs to toilet themselves...etc.

~Handing out snacks and helping residents to find their way back to their rooms from activities.

Once everyone is in bed (with PJ's on and mouth care done). I start my rounds with changing briefs for all those who remain in bed and don't use the toilet. ...With the occasional total bed change because of a "flood".

The schedule often changes because:

a resident falls, has a medical emergency, there is a fire drill, SOMEONE else's resident falls and now you need to help pick up the slack where they have fallen behind.

By 10pm I've just about got everyone changed and comfortable and I'm ready to go back to person #1 and start changing and repositioning rounds all over again until 3rd shift comes in and is ready for me to give them report.

OH! and somewhere in between I need to spend about 15-20 mins at the computer documenting the shift.

It's constantly busy and I love my job. Every shift is different.