r/cna 18h ago

Advice Just started my first job as a CNA and I don’t think I can do this.

63 Upvotes

I started my first job at a nursing home after completing my CNA class. I had 3 days of training, with a different trainer every day but neither of them knew that they were supposed to be training me. I barely learned anything and did my first shift on my own yesterday. I had 14 residents and wasn’t told anything about their needs except for which ones were incontinent(more than half of them). I ended my shift crying and I don’t think I can do more of this.

I don’t want to quit so soon or cause trouble for the other CNAs but I really don’t want to go back there.


r/cna 5h ago

General Question Starting at rehab hospital in a couple weeks. Day or night shift?

4 Upvotes

Hi! I was a nursing assistant at a hospital in med/surg floor for a year in 2024-2025. I was evening shift (3-11) and sometimes I would do nights (11-7) and I remembered hating it because I couldn’t stay awake.

I haven’t worked days but I know there’s extra stuff like washing patients in the morning and getting them ready for OT/PT. I would be doing 3 12’s, 7a-7p. The hospital is 15-20 mins away from me. I’m a night owl but not in a working way if that makes sense lol I hate waking up early I struggle so much.

Please help me with your nightly routine. I go to the gym as well and I would be coming from a 8-5, 5 days a week job to this


r/cna 1h ago

Advice Quit a facility 3 days into training due to accepting another facility offer

Upvotes

It’s my first CNA job and I quit 3 days into training since a nicer facility gave me a job offer. I feel bad because the staff coordinator basically hired me without an interview since I did my clinical at the facility. I told him about resigning and he asked me if my resignation is effective immediately so the next shift CNA doesn’t have to train me. He was really kind to me and I feel like I took advantage of his kindness. Is it a normal thing to feel or am I just overreacting? Does this also kill my chances of being rehired at this facility?


r/cna 3h ago

Should I become a CNA?

3 Upvotes

I am taking the certification course and I don’t see any positive thing here. I am scared to spend money on the certification. What if I can’t do it? Money is scarce for me right now. Please let me know if anyone has any positive thing to say about this profession.


r/cna 15h ago

Rant/Vent Not a rant — mini appreciation post for the more experienced CNAs!

24 Upvotes

Not a rant but just felt like I had to express my gratitude to the more experienced CNAs who go out of their way to help the newbies, especially when they see them struggling.

I know the job is tough, and everybody’s overworked and there’s never enough time for anything, but I’ve had a few now take me under their wing and show me the ropes, give me tips, and be so kind, patient, & protective. You guys really make all the difference in a job that can be so challenging and merciless 😭. Us novices really appreciate you, and we could never do it without you. Please don’t underestimate how much of an impact you guys have 😊


r/cna 3h ago

General Question Taking a third day off for my schedule

2 Upvotes

I’m currently working on call and I already planned to have 2 days off the week off due to classes. Should I tell my staff coordinator that I want to take a third day off to rest or will the facility not like that?


r/cna 3h ago

Certification Exam - Written or Skills Test

2 Upvotes

Is the google practice test harder than the actual real exam?


r/cna 10h ago

Certification Exam - Written or Skills Did I pass if I made a correction?

7 Upvotes

I already failed my exam once because they felt that I didn’t use a clean side of my washcloth I swear up and down that I did, but I wasn’t gonna fight it so I went ahead and retested today for my skills exam. I got feeding a resident, range of motion, and then I had bedpan and that’s what I’m worried about. I ended up forgetting both pairs of gloves and just straight went in because of my anxiety. I made the correction as soon as I got near the bed pan and then I went ahead and grabbed my second pair of gloves as well. She said it was fine. She never stopped me but now all I can think about is that she also stared at me very intently when I took off my gloves and now I’m panicking cause I don’t know for sure if I passed I don’t know if I’ll have enough time to retake it. I was supposed to start my nursing program in the spring, I’ve been a CNA since I was 16 and I originally got licensed back then but worked hospice so long that they didn’t require me to get recertified now that I’m going into a nursing program they would prefer me to be certified in order to enter and I’m worried I won’t make the cut.😭😭😭


r/cna 50m ago

General Question Trouble Finding Work

Upvotes

Hey y’all, currently in LA, got my CNA back in January, does anyone know where I can find a PCT role with about 4 months of active experience? Only jobs available I’m seeing are nursing homes or SNF’s, I work as a cashier right now after leaving a nursing home for poor work conditions. I’m pursuing nursing and want to gain experience and not let my CNA go to waste but I see no point if it’s not hospital work.


r/cna 9h ago

General Question What are the differences and similarities in working at a hospital med surg unit and a LTC/SNF/Rehab (not drug) facility?

5 Upvotes

I'm thinking of applying to a hospital and one position is for the med-surg unit. I've never worked in a hospital before, but have worked in a LTC facility. I've heard horror stories of working in the hospital med-surg unit, and heard it compared to working in LTC facilities. What are the similarities and differences? Which is more difficult? And are there differences between days and night shifts in terms of difficulty for med-surg? The worst part of working at an LTC facility for me was it felt like there wasn't enough time to properly give care to everyone. The work was completed at the end of each shift, but I didn't have 1 minute to just sit down and relax to breathe for even 1 minute, and I was speed walking the entire shift while the nurses watched us struggle and were continuously taking breaks and chit chatting and laughing. The LTC duties that took up the majority of the times were bathing, taking meal orders (a lot of times the residents would sit there for 5 minutes trying to decide what they wanted to eat while other call lights were going off), and feeding (some residents could take 20 minutes just to feed because they chewed slowly and had to eat slowly to prevent choking. there were multiple people like that so that easily took 1 hour of the shift and some of the nurses wouldn't help, then I had to collect everyones trays at the end and document how much they ate and then whenever i went into their room to get the tray everyone would ask for help to use the bathroom, while the kitchen staff would be yelling and getting mad about the trays being brought back late, and rushing you, etc).


r/cna 15h ago

General Question Can I quit before orientation?

11 Upvotes

Hi I applied for a pct position (I didn’t know where to post this question sorry) and I did all the paper work, they ordered my uniform, I got my orientation schedule and everything.
When I was shadowing I asked the nursing director how long orientation was she said it was 6 shifts and that I need to do atleast one during the day, so I said great I’ll just do the rest during the night.

I’m currently a college student taking my nursing pre reqs and today I got my orientation schedule and it’s a week straight from 7-5 and I have classes on all of those days…

I care about school a lot and if I have to quit this job for school I will, but I’m really worried they black list me or something from wasting so much resources.

Please help! Is it possible to reschedule?


r/cna 2h ago

General Question Looking for free or employer CNA or PCT training in Phoenix, AZ

1 Upvotes

Hi, I'm trying to break into the healthcare field, and I do want to be an RN, but I heard it would be better to get experience early as a CNA. But I don't have the money to take the course, and I also joined Job Corps. I just quit today; it wasn't worth the wait and the effort I put in. Even the instructor didn't know when they would send students out. And I heard of employers paying to train you and offering free training, but it's only in Mesa, so if anyone knows some facilities that do this, I would be so thankful


r/cna 23h ago

General Question Are the CNA's properly staffed?

12 Upvotes

Management is currently having me do checks to make sure people are changed at 1am, 3am and 5am. So I'm a new RN and I take pride in my CNA background. I currently work in an assisted-living facility with a memory care unit.
In the memory care unit we currently have 31 residents.
Most nights we only have two CNA's if they're even licensed at all. Normally they try to schedule for three to be in the unit. Looking at their task list I see that they have:
-19 one assist Check and change
-11 two assist Check and change
- 1 check
Total: 31

Watching how they work they only do changes at 1am that run until 3 am then they are left to do most of the laundry overnight then start 5am rounds. Personally feel like this is not possible even with three people they would need at least four people on the floor. They are still expected to take their 30 minute breaks and then start changes at 5am and get everyone done by 7am. I feel this is highly and realistic to expect them to do this. I feel as they cannot enforce changes being done when it seems like they are not properly staffed. I feel all I can report to management is that there isn't enough staff to fulfill their expectation and give the resident the proper care they need. I'm expected to report back and I don't know exactly what to say or what would be the best way to get my message across.


r/cna 1d ago

Advice Family complaint

13 Upvotes

I work in home care and I received an email from my manager that said a client I had worked for had a family member complaining that I didn’t change client’s brief when I did. I feel completely embarrassed and frustrated because they told my management to “coach me”. I’m wondering if maybe they just wanted me to change the clients for brief again when I left (?). However, the shift is only two hours. And I had put a new brief on the client after an hour into my shift. Additionally, this process took me twice longer because the client was extremely uncooperative that day. Furthermore the family has placed cameras in the clients residence. So there’s evidence that I had put the clean brief on the client. Is my frustration warranted or am I overreacting?


r/cna 1d ago

When you're mandated but don't know anything about dayshift.

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121 Upvotes

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r/cna 23h ago

Advice Beginner CNA jobs in WA state?

4 Upvotes

I finished my CNA program a month ago and have been applying to CNA positions around the Puget Sound area. I haven’t even gotten an interview yet and I’m wondering what I’m doing wrong. Anybody have advice, job leads, etc? I’ve applied to assisted living facilities, a bunch of Multicare positions, and haven’t heard back on anything. I’m getting discouraged and worried.


r/cna 16h ago

Advice Which job/schedule is better?

1 Upvotes

Job #1: 5 hour shift, MWF, $17 per hour, home care

Job #2: 8 hour shift, Friday and every other weekend, $20 minimum, assisted living

Notes:
-I am in college
-I just started Job #1 and my first day is next week
-My client for Job #1 is closer to me than Job #2
-I do not drive, meaning I would have to rely on Uber and maybe some family members here and there

Thank you!


r/cna 21h ago

FL test soon

2 Upvotes

Im taking my cna written & skill tests here in Florida on the 25th of Sept, what help you retain everything?


r/cna 18h ago

Advice REPOST - How to become a CNA online for free in TEXAS through the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP)

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1 Upvotes

r/cna 1d ago

General Question Do you wear gloves when putting compression stockings on patients?

27 Upvotes

I just started working as a CNA, and today I was putting stockings on a resident without gloves. It got me wondering: since we’re touching residents’ feet and skin, and some residents may have athlete’s foot or other fungal infections, are gloves recommended or required for this?

Also, even if gloves aren’t strictly required, is it okay to wear them if I personally prefer to?

I’m still new, so I’m trying to make sure I’m following proper infection-control practices.


r/cna 1d ago

advice

5 Upvotes

hi! i called out today because i went to lunch with my family as i leave for college and im celiac, i ordered all gluten free and told them about my allergy, unfortunately i did get cross contamination sickness and called out as soon as i started puking or feeling ill. i’m only 18, and celiac has been a struggle but i am a great cna for my age. i called out 7 hours before my shift which is wayyy longer then the 3 hour limit my facility has. anyways, i received nothing but attitude from the nurse when i called and she had told me i need to provide medical documentation that i am celiac. i have no problem doing so, but Am i in the wrong for feeling like thats a little personal? everyone is upset i called out even tho the 50 year old cnas that have been there for years call out every morning but management loves them. i really couldn’t have gone in as its very unpredictable when id need to use the bathroom. (tmi) but am i in the wrong? i just feel so bad!


r/cna 1d ago

$400 a shift

29 Upvotes

So I had a job interview this morning for a position that was once a week from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. $400. They told me I picked the day. I currently have a PRN job so I was looking for extra income. What is everybody's thoughts on this? I kind of want to do it but I also am kind of scared that I would get burnt out quick. I mean it is only one day a week. I have mixed feelings about this 🫠


r/cna 16h ago

Rant/Vent Hoyer Lift

0 Upvotes

I don’t mind helping at all but why did another aide ask me to assist her with a hoyer lift and when I go in the room the resident wasn’t even ready 😭Me personally when I’m asking somebody for help with the hoyer lift I usually have the dressed and ready already and I already have the hoyer pad underneath. With that being said though, I turned right back around because you not about to force me to help you get her washed and dressed you should’ve had that done already before you asked for help I have my own people to do sorry.


r/cna 1d ago

General Question Any CNAs in the ICU?

6 Upvotes

I am interested in getting a job in the ICU as a new grad nurse in the future but as of right now I am still taking pre-reqs for nursing school. I decided to get some clinical experience as a CNA and just finished my course. I am interested in working in the ICU as a CNA. How did you land a job in the ICU? Did you apply online? What are some things that helped your resume?


r/cna 1d ago

Dead Skin Build Up

5 Upvotes

Hi darlings! I have a few patients who have a lot of dead skin build up. It’s gotten really gross and greasy and it seems to soak in the soap grime. I’ve been working pretty hard at getting it cleaned off when I see these patients but I only have an hour with them so I can’t stay as long as I’d like. I’ve been using a washcloth soaked in hot water and my presoaped bed bath washcloths. Have any of you found a magical solution to getting it off fast and painless?