Where new CNAs can vent

[secquoria, CNA]

I've been working in a long-term care facility now for 3 or so weeks, which, presently, is pretty soon to make an opinion. I was initially excited to finally work in healthcare while I'm in school and things were going well, until I was thrown off orientation. Last shift I was subjected to 13 patients all with dementia half of whom were total lifts. This seemed find to me until I realized the more seasoned other three cnas had only 7-8 each. One nurse pointed this out to me as "why did they give you all those patients?!" Yet she did not change a thing. I on the other hand was thinking "this in my opportunity to prove myself." But the overachiever spirit did not serve me that evening. I am certain missed a lot of duties during that 3-11 shift. Patients wandered the hall in search of assistance pass bedtime, ice water hadn't been on schedule for some. Showers turned into bed baths to buy time. Another cna constantly telling me where I'm slacking during the shift; complaining about me to the nurse to the point the nurse exclaims loudly at the nursing station, "stop WHATEVER you're doing and go XYZ Mister ABC!" I also left work late because i got vitals late and barely had time to paper chart...

I'd skipped lunch, breaks, and missed my bus home. Needless to say I was overwhelmed and unmotivated to work thereafter. I'm hoping this isn't what nursing is like. Especially with the coworkers. I had already been working on my time management but this shift seriously tip the scale.

[JDZ344]

I is grossly unfair to expect you to care for 13 patients whilst your co-workers have 7-8. Assignments should be split fairly equally. I would address this with the charge nurse, assertively, next time it happens.

[Hope63]

Unfortunately at some SNF's the CNA's take advantage of the newbies. The next time this happens go to the Charge nurse and ask to have your team reduced. At my hospial we went out of our way to welcome and help the new CNA's, because we had all been in the same boat when we started.

If they know that you're a student nurse, sometimes they have already judged you and assume that you won't be able to handle the job. Try making small talk, it seems to simple but sometimes it really helps. When my daughter was a CNA at a SNF the CNA's took advantage of her but she learned time management skills, and what kind of CNA and Nurse she wanted to be. Now that she is a nurse the CNA's want to work with her because she appreciates them and when time permits helps them.

Even if you can only stand the job for 3 months the experience will be worth it's wait in gold. Good luck!

[secquoria, CNA]

Thanks for the support. I'm heading in today with the mindset of it being a new day for better opportunities. Should I have the same issue I will handle it accordingly. Thanks again.