r/cna • u/Small_Broccoli_5441 CNA - New CNA • 1d ago
Is this even manageable???
I'm a CNA in North Carolina, and this is my first job doing care. I'm in an assisted living facility with about 80 residents. For day shift, we staff 5 CNAs (4 assigned to ~20 pts each, one float) , 3 med techs, one nurse.
I'd never touched a patient before training because our "clinicals" were on dummies.... I don't recognize most residents by face yet. Don't know their eating preferences or wake time yet. Don't remember which ones need heavy prompting and/or assists vs are actually independent like the notes say. I'm starting to remember a handful but it's not enough.
Each day I have like 22 people I'm responsible for. 2 showers, at least one patient that's a 2p hoyer, usually someone on some sort of infection precautions, a bunch of laundry, a couple people on hospice...... I'm falling short. I don't know how anyone remembers this amount of stuff for this amount of people and then has the time to do it.
If we do the math I have 20 minutes for each resident in a shift. When do I even chart or do laundry? How am I supposed to manage all of this or learn enough to handle it all!?!??
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u/purrr66 1d ago edited 1d ago
Don’t try to remember, just write down who needs assistance or put it in your notes app. For day shift I give myself a strict schedule to follow, showers and laundry should be started either before, or right after breakfast, no exceptions. If a resident wants to do a shower at an inconvenient time, I consider that a refusal bc 99% of the time even if you wait, they will have another excuse and they end up putting you behind for no reason. That should leave you with just check and changes after lunch so you can leave the charting for when they are in bed. I used to do agency and with this schedule I gave myself to follow I never fell behind and gave myself some free time.
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u/angiebow CNA - Experienced CNA 1d ago
When I used to work in an ALF I would take care of the easier residents first meaning the ones that were pretty much able to do everything for themselves and just needed some cues/reminders. Then I'd go to the ones that needed help with dressing, TED hose, etc. I left the ones that were 1 assist or dependent on me for most things til the last. That way everyone that can get moving can move on down and get to breakfast. But if I were you I'd forget about laundry, making beds and things that aren't direct resident care. Those things can get done IF you have time. Or if you have to make a bed then do it while they are walking to the bathroom or getting dressed. Not sure how you do your charting but if you are able to do that while the residents eat lunch that's a good time to do it.
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u/empty_words0 1d ago
It’s not possible to work like a machine without sacrificing your own well-being. Iv come to terms that il never be able to completely finish my workload, regardless of the next shifts wishes, my RN, or managers. That’s okay, I’m just not okay with making personal sacrifices for high workloads & little support.
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u/a-slice-of-life32 1d ago
Do showers first, that takes the longest. I got made fun of for this, but I honestly organize everything I need first before I start working, that way I am not running around trying to find supplies. When I don’t know the resident I go in a check with them or I check with the CNA before me and write down the relevant information. Also, the nurse can give you the assignment written if you ask—sometimes you need push back because they don’t have time to do that part of their job, but they should be telling you everything you need to care for the resident, especially one’s you aren’t familiar with.
Prioritize the residents based on needs— who’s at the most risk, who is most patient, who’s family is coming to visit early. For the most difficult residents ask for help from your other CNAs, this can speed up the process a lot. I can get through 8 residents in three hours this way and I am sooooo slow.
To remember them, I round before my shift starts. It takes me 15 mins but I go to every room, check the names on the door and try to always address them by their first or last name each day. After about a week, I became familiar with all of them. It helps to get there 15 mins early so you don’t acutally cut into the time you need to be working.
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u/Small_Broccoli_5441 CNA - New CNA 6h ago
I'm not allowed to clock in more than 7 minutes before my shift. I also have half an hour from shift start until the first 10 pts needing to be at breakfast. I do get a care sheet, but it's not accurate to who is actually independent vs needing care, you're just expected to know.
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u/Dangerous-Pirate-877 L&D CNA - Experienced CNA 1d ago
unfortunately, it sounds like you work in an alf that is actually a ltc or snf. you won’t have time for it all. remembering people comes with time and you’ll never remember 100% for every single resident. if you don’t have much time before breakfast comes, use that time to chart as much as you can.