Urgent! Job problems, please advise?

Question

I really need some to advice. I Left my job today, with intentions of handing in my resignation in the morning. I am a (new) certified nurse assistant. I have only been working for 3 weeks. Where I work, each CNA has at least 10 patients to take care of. We have to bath, shower, feed, change diapers (as most are total care). Most patients have had strokes, paralyzed, alzheimers or have chronic illness. I have no problem doing what's asked of me. I am a caring person. But, from the minute you start the shift, you are literally running, sweating. Most days you do not get to take a lunch or your moring and afternoon 15 minute break. I'm new to the field, but, I have been treated by everyone as if I am not fast enough. I'm not lazy person, I am not even making $10 an hour. Plus, you don't know what your schedule will be, and you are scheduled to work weekends . Does it sound unreasonable of me to want to quit?

Answer 1

I am also a certified nursing assistant with many years of experience (as well as in other areas of the medical profession). You do not say in what sort of facility you are working, but, from your description of the work, I would deduce it is a nursing home; you also do not say what shift you are working, but I am assuming the day shift. If both of those are true, the situation in which you are working is just about the worst you will ever encounter as a CNA. During my lengthy career, I have worked the day shift in a nursing home for no longer than the three weeks you have spent in your job. You have described exactly how horrible the situation is, plus I always found great difficulty in persuading the other CNAs to assist me when I required it. Believe me, I would feel just as you do in your situation, and I would definitely be longing to quit! Here is the problem as I see it: Most likely you need a job! You also need experience, too, naturally, but I can readily empathize with your desire to resign. The way I reconciled my extreme distaste for nursing home work, which additionally I found very depressing, was to find employment in an assisted living facility. Generally, the residents are less needful of total care and lifting, often ambulatory, most usually confused (Alzheimer's victims). They require assistance, obviously, with bathing and other activities of daily living. Although the pay initially will not be what you would or could make in a nursing home (some ALFs do not require their employees to be CNAs), there are opportunities for advancement such as becoming the person assisting the residents with their medications. Another possibility which you might find preferable to nursing home work would be a hospital; although the patient load and stress you would encounter there you might find comparable to that of a nursing home. You might also consider home health, being employed by an agency; the pay is quite good, the only problems being that you must travel to your patients and you would rarely have a set schedule. Of course, you might consider working a different shift at your current place of employment. Try discussing your unhappiness with your job with someone before simply resigning unless you can afford to be unemployed while you seek a better situation. Good luck! I do understand your feelings entirely!

Answer 2

Hi there, I'm in HR. I sympathize that you're being run ragged. This is what nursing is all about. I'm not sure if you want to be in this field. You've only been there three weeks, so you might want to hold on and see if you adjust and get used to it. If you love the work but are just exhausted and feeling underpaid (all nurses and medical assistants are) then you may be able to adjust and fall into a routine. What made you choose this career to begin with? Do you feel differently now? The world of nursing is not going to change and you won't find a slower pace at a hospital. Perhaps a physicians office would be less hectic. You should examine if you are feeling overwhelmed by a new and hectic job, or if you think this line of work is not for you. It's not great for your resume to quit after 3 weeks, but you have to make the decision that is best for you. I can't tell you what to do,but you should find out what your other options are in your field and how different they are first. Good luck

Answer 3

I was a CNA for 6 years.....have you tried working in a hospital? They usually have a better aide to patient ratio....also what shift did you work? If it's 7-3 that tend to be the busiest shift...try 3-11. I did 3-11 in a hospital and not all the patients are total care (some were young) and you son't do any showers or hoyer lifts...you might also want to try assisted living or homecare...don't give up on being an aide...you spent money on the course...you just have to find a place that you like

Answer 4

Most CNA "total care" facilities are going to require the same type of job description; however, it sounds like they are probably understaffed. I don't blame you for quitting, but you probably won't be able to draw unemployment. If you are interested in staying in this field, and if I might make a suggestion... you might try looking at the Veterans Hospitals and Veterans Retirement Centers. Some of them are federal and some are state run. In Oklahoma, a CNA at the Vet retirement home, makes 11.00 (+ benefits) in the first year. And it just goes up from there. A federal facility would pay even more. Also, if you are so inclined you might think about one of the military branches. All of them have nursing programs, the Navy has the biggest "hospital" type settings. They'll train you for free, and you get a lot of good experience, to apply to a civilian job. Good luck!

Answer 5

I think you should give it more time. It sounds like this job requires a rhythm that you'll not only have to figure out but you'll have to learn to dance it. Three weeks is not enough time to learn this rhythm (for any job). I don't know how long this will take, but if you give this job another chance and see improvement, then you're on the right track.

For starters, get to bed at a good hour for two reasons. First, you'll get your rest. Second, you'll be able to get up earlier to PREPARE for your day. Make sure you have a good breakfast in the morning in case you can't have lunch. Use this time to also get some light chores done so you're not trying to get it done after work. Also, leave earlier so you arrive earlier. When you get to work, use the extra time to give yourself a heads up on your schedule and prep for anything ahead of time.

Give this a try. Importantly, do NOT beat yourself up for "not being fast enough." There is a learning curve here. It's ok to feel overwhelmed, too. You may end up being right about this job the wrong fit for you, but again, three weeks isn't enough time to figure that out. Try some mediation or relaxation exercises (or yoga) after work. Good luck!

Answer 6

You should ABSOLUTELY include that job experience, ESPECIALLY if you left on good terms and can expect a glowing recommendation. I don't see at all how holding down a work-study job while you were in college somehow "devalues" the accomplishments it led to; quite the opposite. You SHOULD try to make your credentials and experiences appear as "prestigious" as you possibly can, obviously, but if you're applying for paralegal positions, now is as good a time as any to learn the art of spin. Just remember to keep it concise, particularly as a budding researcher: you will be expected to know how to break down data into a form which is well-organized and readily grasped. A resume that looks like a train wreck will be ignored even if it states that you won the Nobel Peace Prize and cured cancer. Presenting yourself as a professional is key; and part of that is learning to present ALL your previous positions as valuable experiences from which you gained skills and character. Good luck.

Answer 7

no you have a point but I hate to say this but most places like that work that way.
the elderly home in my small town does that.. they can't keep anyone either. they have their own hire and train program. it stinks to know that we could be treated that way when we get old. they should get more time with the care takers than what they do...

You should put in a 2 week notice though.
You will probably need to look into a job with a physicians clinic or small hospital setting..

A JUST TO KNOW...
lots of people think there is a law protecting them when it comes to breaks and lunch... They are wrong... My sister used to manage stores and she told me that there wasn't a law as such.. here is the proof...


Work Break and Meal Laws
There are no Federal labor or employment laws that require employers to set specific intervals or even make time for employees to take work breaks or eat meals.

Fewer than half the states have laws that require employers to make time for employees to eat meals. Even fewer states have laws that require employers to make time for employees to take work breaks. (See Work Breaks and Meals State Laws below.)

Although there are no Federal and few state laws that require employers to give bathroom breaks, the Federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has interpreted a section in its Sanitation Standard, to mean that it "...requires employers to make toilet facilities available so that employees can use them when they need to do so. The employer may not impose unreasonable restrictions on employee use of the facilities."

Answer 8

Can you afford to quit? OR, can you stick it out while you look for another job? It is far easier to get a job while you are employed than it is to get one after you quit.

Speak with your shift manager about your concerns. By Law you are required to have lunch breaks and 15 minute breaks. If your manager if not allowing you the breaks he or she is breaking the law. They cannot "comp" you the time either; it must be taken at its appropriate time.

Simply put, they are placing their scheduling problems on you. About weekend work? It happens in real life. I own my own business and have spent nearly every weekend working in some capacity. Get used to it.

Answer 9

i totaly understand how u feel..i worked that kind of job and i hated it..an di was only making 8 an hour with my esthetician license..so i left to and i started a job that didnt hold much hope..so now im going back to school for dental..im glad this happend because now i know what i actaully want to do..i would keep working there and then look for a job with better benefits and a great work schedule! make sure u check it out..i didnt do that and i got stuck with a crappy job! good luck!

Answer 10

Sounds like this might not be the job for you and you're obviously better off out of there if you're not happy - look for something else that suits you better and where you will be more appreciated.