How to get ORGANIZED???
Ok this is going to be a WHINY post....sorry
As some of you know, I just started my first CNA job last week. I love being at the hospital, love the nurses (and I think they feel the same way) and generally love patient care. However, I was told I'd be trained for 3 weeks...and really, you're lucky to get 3 DAY. I know, though, that that's why I went to school...and I know the PROCEDURES, just not the hospital's policies on everything, you know? And its DEFINITELY not like you learned it in class
So last night, I'm on ortho, and this othe CNA who has been there a whopping 4 months is assigned to train me. Right away, she gets an attitude with the Sister in charge, and the girl is all "But she's been here 3 other days! Why do we still have to be together??" And Sister tells her that because I still have a lot of stuff to learn, and how can I ask questions if I'm by myself. Now, I'm not afraid to ask questions to anyone...rn, lpn, pct..whatever..as long as I get my answer And really, everyone is really accomodating, except, unfortunately, the CNAS. Why is that?? So, this girl, who is all of 18 years old...and obviously thinks anyone over 25 is a complete moron, gives me attitude all night. Yes, I do get nervous and worry that I'm going to do something wrong. Yes, I'm anxious when I have to get a new knee out of bed for the first time, and maybe a little hesitant to do it myself...especially since no one seems to use GAIT BELTS here!! I try to be gentle with pts. especially new surgeries or hip/knee replacements, because I know whats its like to be in that kind of pain. This girl was raising her voice last night to a 94 yo dementia pt because she wouldnt stay on her back to get changed. I was stunned. And then she acts like I'm a moron. Which I'm not, I'm just scared. I would DIE if I hurt someone. This girl isnt a bad person..she's just young and inexperienced, right? Her parents are probably young and healthy and she just doesnt understand, right? I realize that I may work slower than her, and than other CNAs...I dont ever want a pt to feel rushed, like they dont have time to sit on the commode because they're wasting my time, etc. And you all know how geri pts like to TALLLLLLLLLLLK while you do their vitals. I try to listen for a little bit, anyway. Is that wrong? I dont mind to stay over extra time to do my reports. As long as I get everything done and my pts are taken care of. Am I taking the wrong view? Should I be all business?
Here are my 'issues':
Last night we had rooms x01-x13. Generally 2 pts to each room, 4 singles. Vitals q4. I and 0 on all, jps, foleys and hemovacs. Passing fresh water, emptying garbage, repacking ice packs. We cant start foleys and drains til an hour before shift change. The problem is I need a handy, neat way to write everything down and keep track of it all. The nursing reports dont have enough room, and I really like to stay organized.
Please offer me any advice on how I can improve my time mgmt, ppwk organization, etc. I want to be the best I can be, and I put a lot of pressure on myself. I found myself wondering last night "Can I really do this??? or should I just quit now??" I hate feeling like a failure, and feel like crap today. I know I should just let it go, chalk it up to experience and not let this girl get to me.
Oh....here's her idea of funny. So we have this woman on the bedside commode. The other CNA says that since I'm new, I get to measure and chart it. Ha ha. Ok, fine. I ask her, at this hosp. do we chart the # of times the pt goes, or s, m or l size. She says, no, you count each one. I say, you mean each time she gets up to go? She says no, each individual poop is considered a BOWEL MOVEMENT. Hm. Interesting. So I dutifully go in the bathroom and count ELEVEN. When the pts nurse asks 'did she finally go?' i said..um..yeah...eleven. I thought everyone was going to **** their pants. The EVIL CNA might have thought it was funny...but when I said "well thats how e.c (evil cna..not her real name;) said you do it here" EC ended up looking like the moron. She actually walked away. The nurses were laughing so hard both at the fact that I actually COUNTED poops and that EC actually thought thats how to do it. I said jokingly, thats ok..I have big shoulders..go ahead and EC said "what does THAT mean?!?!" ack. Anyhoo...I took it in stride, and said to her in front of the nurses "Heck, I just figured that was your revenge for my slow vital taking" I was sweet as pie. Hope you got a chuckle out of that, because I think its hilarious!!!
Heaven help me..can I really DO this!?!?!
Kathy the hesitant CNA, in need of positive reinforcement and encouragement because she's currently full of self-doubt
As some of you know, I just started my first CNA job last week. I love being at the hospital, love the nurses (and I think they feel the same way) and generally love patient care. However, I was told I'd be trained for 3 weeks...and really, you're lucky to get 3 DAY. I know, though, that that's why I went to school...and I know the PROCEDURES, just not the hospital's policies on everything, you know? And its DEFINITELY not like you learned it in class
So last night, I'm on ortho, and this othe CNA who has been there a whopping 4 months is assigned to train me. Right away, she gets an attitude with the Sister in charge, and the girl is all "But she's been here 3 other days! Why do we still have to be together??" And Sister tells her that because I still have a lot of stuff to learn, and how can I ask questions if I'm by myself. Now, I'm not afraid to ask questions to anyone...rn, lpn, pct..whatever..as long as I get my answer And really, everyone is really accomodating, except, unfortunately, the CNAS. Why is that?? So, this girl, who is all of 18 years old...and obviously thinks anyone over 25 is a complete moron, gives me attitude all night. Yes, I do get nervous and worry that I'm going to do something wrong. Yes, I'm anxious when I have to get a new knee out of bed for the first time, and maybe a little hesitant to do it myself...especially since no one seems to use GAIT BELTS here!! I try to be gentle with pts. especially new surgeries or hip/knee replacements, because I know whats its like to be in that kind of pain. This girl was raising her voice last night to a 94 yo dementia pt because she wouldnt stay on her back to get changed. I was stunned. And then she acts like I'm a moron. Which I'm not, I'm just scared. I would DIE if I hurt someone. This girl isnt a bad person..she's just young and inexperienced, right? Her parents are probably young and healthy and she just doesnt understand, right? I realize that I may work slower than her, and than other CNAs...I dont ever want a pt to feel rushed, like they dont have time to sit on the commode because they're wasting my time, etc. And you all know how geri pts like to TALLLLLLLLLLLK while you do their vitals. I try to listen for a little bit, anyway. Is that wrong? I dont mind to stay over extra time to do my reports. As long as I get everything done and my pts are taken care of. Am I taking the wrong view? Should I be all business?
Here are my 'issues':
Last night we had rooms x01-x13. Generally 2 pts to each room, 4 singles. Vitals q4. I and 0 on all, jps, foleys and hemovacs. Passing fresh water, emptying garbage, repacking ice packs. We cant start foleys and drains til an hour before shift change. The problem is I need a handy, neat way to write everything down and keep track of it all. The nursing reports dont have enough room, and I really like to stay organized.
Please offer me any advice on how I can improve my time mgmt, ppwk organization, etc. I want to be the best I can be, and I put a lot of pressure on myself. I found myself wondering last night "Can I really do this??? or should I just quit now??" I hate feeling like a failure, and feel like crap today. I know I should just let it go, chalk it up to experience and not let this girl get to me.
Oh....here's her idea of funny. So we have this woman on the bedside commode. The other CNA says that since I'm new, I get to measure and chart it. Ha ha. Ok, fine. I ask her, at this hosp. do we chart the # of times the pt goes, or s, m or l size. She says, no, you count each one. I say, you mean each time she gets up to go? She says no, each individual poop is considered a BOWEL MOVEMENT. Hm. Interesting. So I dutifully go in the bathroom and count ELEVEN. When the pts nurse asks 'did she finally go?' i said..um..yeah...eleven. I thought everyone was going to **** their pants. The EVIL CNA might have thought it was funny...but when I said "well thats how e.c (evil cna..not her real name;) said you do it here" EC ended up looking like the moron. She actually walked away. The nurses were laughing so hard both at the fact that I actually COUNTED poops and that EC actually thought thats how to do it. I said jokingly, thats ok..I have big shoulders..go ahead and EC said "what does THAT mean?!?!" ack. Anyhoo...I took it in stride, and said to her in front of the nurses "Heck, I just figured that was your revenge for my slow vital taking" I was sweet as pie. Hope you got a chuckle out of that, because I think its hilarious!!!
Heaven help me..can I really DO this!?!?!
Kathy the hesitant CNA, in need of positive reinforcement and encouragement because she's currently full of self-doubt 
Kathy,
This is alot to learn!! Give yourself a break. In 4 months time, YOU will be the pro that is teaching the new kids. My best advice to you is to get with the charge nurse and let her know how you feel. Do the best job you can, and ask as many questions as you need. If this other CNA gives you an answer that seems bizarre, trust your instincts and ask someone else. She has a supervisor, we all do.
You're obviously in this for the right reason -- helping others. It WILL get easier as you get more experienced. Do NOT get a fresh knee up without assistance the first time. Do NOT do anything that could cause an injury to a patient. You've got the education down, you've got a good head on your shoulders, you've got compassion. All you're lacking is experience. Go for it! Keep your eye on the time clock. Get with the charge nurse and ask her to help you make a schedule for your shift to help you with your time management. Then, use that as a guide and make it personal to your way of doing things. You're going to be a GREAT CNA, and hopefully, one day a GREAT nurse.
Karen,
Thank you so much, sweetie! Last night was definitely a better night. I spent Saturday thinking "ok..what would make it easier for me to get organized?" I printed up a spreadsheet with all the info: pts name and room #, i and o, vitals, q4, potty hat/urinal/foley, jp's, hemovacs, etc. And then a 2nd space for the q4 vitals. It WORKED!! So I think the key is to find out what works FOR YOU. I also had spaces for a checkmark if the pt has an icepack, etc...just so I remember to refill it. In addition to the requisite passing fresh water, emptying trash, filling humidifiers, etc.
I'm not afraid to ask questions of anyone..as long as I get the RIGHT answer!! And the patients that I care for like me...so I guess I'm doing something RIGHT!!
Thank you SO MUCH for your encouragement!!!
Love,
Kathy
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