Hello to all CNA's and former CNA's

[MoxieMarrie]

I thought I'd give a shout out to all CNA's and all former CNA's out there who frequent the site. I'm a fairly new CNA I have only been working as one for a few months. I work in a nursing home and I usually work the day shift (6:30am-2:30pm). I started a class in september and was certified in october and by november I was on the floor by myself. I can tell you it was a bit frustaiting once I hit the floor solo it felt as if I wasn't completly prepared. I felt a bit beat down for awhile and very stressed I almost thought about quiting, I kept thinking maybe this was a bad career choice for me, but I pushed through it one day at a time and now I can't think of any other job I'd rather have. I've only been a CNA for less than 6 months and I've seen so many new CNA's come and go it can kind of feel a bit depressing to just get to know someone and then they just up and leave.

Anyways this brings me to my point. How prepared did you feel when you finally worked the floor by youself as a CNA and tips for reletively new CNA's. Also any tips or words of encouragement I could offer to my fellew CNA's and newer CNA's who seem they are on the brink of just giving up?
I try to be encouraging, caring, helpful and respectful to all the CNA's, new and seasoned, (and of course the nurses, I love my charge nurses). Any ideas, or stories or anything, I'd love to hear it

[CNA_to_PA]

I took a 2 week CNA course and got a job 2 weeks later at a nursing/rehab center (basically a nursing home/ longterm rehab hybrid) After a 2 day orientation, I was thrown on the floor by myself. I definitely didn't feel prepared. I had to go to my coworkers often to ask questions or ask for help. I was working morning shift at the time, and my patients never made it to breakfast on time because it took me so long to get them up. I switched to evening shift and I like it alot better. We get our patients in bed by 8ish, so the last 3 hours of work are very chill.... nothing to do but answer call lights and make rounds before we leave....its alot less hectic than the day shift. I have been doing this work for 2 months now and am starting to get the hang of it.

[trish40]

I took a 2wk course in march and finally got a cna job at a nursing home, the facility was clean and the residents treated very well however i recieved only 4 hrs of training and was let loose with 10 residents, most of them had some form of dementia. I was yelled at by a nurse and i did not even know his name. I am very easy to work with but nobody offered to help. I did not get done with rounds until 20 min after shift and everybody had already left for the night. Please tell me this is not normal, I think if i had a little more training it might not have been so frustrating. Any kind of input or advice would be helpful.

[rpt86]

i thought i was prepared. i worked in a nursing home as an uncertified nurses aid when i was going through my classes. it provided the classroom work along with actual hands on experience during the class. It was very well done.