u/Mermaid7444

I finished my CNA course in 2022, took the test in 2024 and didn’t attempt to work in the field until now due to personal reasons. Felt like I forgot everything, went to orientation, did 3 days and quit. I was already called slow by a CNA my first morning on a unit, was told if a patient falls I’m going to jail. It’s also an immediate termination if you attempt a 2 assist on your own. Which I understand. It just scared me and I already felt like I had no idea what I was doing. Told that there will be constant call outs on every unit. Witnessed CNA’s bickering about not feeding residents bc they already did food truck and why is there still trays in the room, they aren’t cleaning it. My preceptors didn’t even have a clue they were supposed to be my preceptor so they weren’t prepared to show me anything. And the other CNA’s expected me to know everything as soon as I walked in. I guess I probably would have if I started working straight out of school. I got 100 on one of the quizzes we took at orientation. I’m book smart but the hands on stuff makes me a nervous wreck. It was $24.65 an hr in NYC, 1199 union. Wish I could have kept going. Feeling like a failure right now.

Hello everyone,

I started my first ever CNA job today. The first day was just in the classroom with HR but tomorrow we start going to the units to shadow until Friday. My regular shift should begin on Monday, it's a 5am–9am shift, which they said is a pilot program that they are trying out at this facility. My issue is that I finished my CNA course in the fall of 2022 and it was all online due to Covid. I also didn't get much hands on experience during clinical because once again, Covid kept spreading, and the residents were often isolated in their rooms with their doors closed. I have a daughter with autism and ended up not taking the CNA exam for my license until 2024. I have not attempted to work until now. I feel like I have forgotten everything and have no clue what I'm doing. I don't even know if I should continue this orientation feeling this way or if I should just be honest with them that I don't feel ready to go onto a unit and just be expected to know things. I feel really hopeless right now. I need the money, I'm a single mom and my daughter depends on me. I just truly feel like I need a refresher or more training. I've been so nervous and anxious about this entire situation that it's making me sick. What should I do?

I’ve never been a CNA before. If I get offered a job after going on interviews this week, I want to be prepared. I know that class and the textbook aren’t the same as real life. Can anyone write out and walk me through what would be done each shift in a nursing home? Specifically weekend shifts 11-7 pm or 3-11 pm. All the details please. Thank you!

Hey everyone,

I’m a first time CNA and I have interview’s next week. I finished my training a while back and feel like I forgot everything. I’m so scared that if I get a job, I won’t know what to do. How can I prepare myself? What are the most important things that I should be aware of as a new CNA on the job? Thanks in advance.

I passed the exam in September of 2024 and it expires this September of 2026. I never got a chance to work because I am the primary caregiver of my autistic daughter who’s turning 6 soon (also in September). I didn’t have reliable safe childcare for her until now. I’m hoping that I can somehow find a job to keep my license active. I’ve never worked as a CNA before and I’m so nervous about all of this. Any advice is welcome.