Letter 4

It was my second day on the job in this nursing home. After the first day I was nervous. After all I had the first encounter with the sick and elderly. I faced the reality that one day I would be responsible for eight hours of my day: their health and safety. I also had to face my real life, nurse Ratchet. The newness and pressure were almost overwhelming. I thought long and hard about returning the hours before my assigned shift.

During my prayer time the morning before I was scheduled, I presented this to God. He assured me that He brought me to this so He would protect and uplift me. My mind was made up I could do this. Wonderful instructors prepared me, and I had the knowledge. The only remaining question was, did I have the wisdom? Only time would tell.

I slowly got myself prepared for what lay before me that evening. I dressed and headed in, dreading what I was going to face. It was hard to reconcile the classroom to the actual job of nursing. The first night had shown it was going to be a lot different from what the little clinical experience I had taught me. I had to be open-minded and find my own way.

I pulled into the parking lot and got out of my vehicle. I walked through the door and headed to the time clock. “I am glad to see you back. Most people would have run after last night.” An older sounding voice said from behind. I looked back and it was a long time Certified Nursing Assistant. I will call her Francine so not to embarrass her. She would turn out to be the biggest help from anybody here.

“Money is a great motivator.” I responded and she just smiled. I can make it I told myself and went and punched the time clock. My shift had started. I walked slowly to the nurse’s station so I could meet my trainer and get a report of the previous shift’s events.

“It is good to see you. You are taking the cart by yourself tonight.” I heard nurse Ratchet say.

“What?” I said in a whisper to myself.

“You can do it? Your trainer called out sick and there is no one else who can work. Come on and I will give you the report and we will count the narcotic box.” She said forcefully. Yep. This was going to be a doozy of a night.

I walked round and sat in a chair beside the tall, thin haired woman with yellow stained teeth. She smelled like she had smoked a carton of cigarettes. She sped through giving me a report on the residents. I tried to take as many notes as possible. Then she motioned me around and she gave me the keys to the med cart. We counted the narcotics in the box, and she said bye. What had just happened? And what was I going to do? God, please help me I silently prayed.

I sat there looking like a scared little child. I know I did. This was not supposed to be. There was no way I should be in this position, but I did not even have time to say no. It had all happened like a blur.

“How are you?” I heard from the other side of the nurse’s desk. I looked up and saw a heavy-set woman with glasses.

“I am still trying to figure that out.” I replied.

“I know it seems like a lot, but you can do this. You can do the med pass and all the other stuff. If you need any help, just ask. I will be more than glad to help. Besides, Francine is your C.N.A. tonight. She will show you who the patients are and tell you everything about them. Just ask her. I looked over as she pointed, and Francine was looking at me.

“This is not the first time I will help train a rookie. Just ask if you need anything I will help.” She stated.

“I will be sure I do that, thanks.”  I replied. I got up and pushed the cart down my hall and slowly started passing the meds. It took some time and some help from Francine, but I did it. I made my first med pass by myself. And I did not kill anyone. My scrubs were soaked by sweat, more from nervous energy but I did it.

I learned an important lesson that night, one that would last even to this day as an Administrator. A good C.N.A is worth their weight in gold, and they deserve every bit of praise they can get. Not only do they deal with fussy, stinky people they must deal with people like me. They are truly the heroes of the nursing home.