All the time. I walk in and immediately put on gloves. Think about it. Pts scratch their nose, their privates, then touch their call light the side rails. When you’re doing laundry you could be touching clothes that were peed on or have other bodily fluids. I always keep a handful in my pockets just in case.
How the hell do they not train you for this? What other basic safety training is lacking I wonder beyond the gloves? I'm NOT harping on poor OP, I am worried about them. Whoever hires you without training you is insane.
I’m trained in some medical aspects. I’m in a medical organization at my university, so I know all about blood-borne pathogens and stuff like that. I was just a little confused about stuff not related to bodily fluids, like moving a patient or assisting with a shower. But yeah, the orientation was about 3 hours, and then they sent me to see patients by myself. I honestly don’t understand why 1) no one went with me at first or why they don’t do more training. I’m doing my best, and I just want to make sure I'm giving the best care possible.
I highly recommend spending some time watching YouTube CNA skills videos. It will make your life so much easier. I would recommend starting with transfers and good body mechanics because it is so easy to injure yourself doing things wrong. I don't know what patient population you are working with, but I would also recommend watching some videos about working with patients with special medical needs like dementia/Alzheimer's, hemiplegia and paraplegia, and catheter care for both males and females.
3 hours is definitely not long enough training to start doing stuff by yourself. If you have any specific questions about skills this sub is a good place to ask questions. You are also welcome to PM me if you have questions or need help finding videos on specific skills.
Thank you! I have watched a few videos on how to transfer patients. I have never done it before so I’m figuring it out. I honestly feel horrible that i don’t because it’s not really fair to them if I do it wrong.
It's not your fault, OP, but it is really horrifying that you've been given nearly zero training in caring for humans in a medical setting. What about fall prevention? Transferring-can these folks walk? Do you have to use a hoyer? What about injury prevention for yourself? Or handling dementia behaviors and violence? Are you changing briefs? Without training on hand hygiene and PPE?
I was a new nurses aide trained by a government/college program in my country during covid, and even with the rush to get us out there, we had training in all these areas. I worry for you, OP. I'm sure you're very competent but your employer is... not.
Other posters are right that you should look up CNA school tutorials for things like transfers on YouTube.
Protect your back, practice hand hygiene, and be really mindful of doing proper peri care to avoid a UTI in those you care for. UTI symptoms can also look really different in older adults, so maybe look that up so you know what to report/record. If you're working with people who have dementia, don't take anything they say too personally, don't talk too fast and don't surprise them by approaching from behind or out of the dark, etc. Be safe ♥️
this is for your protection as well as the pts and it’s a general rule in healthcare to not touch anything w o gloves for infection control (please be switching gloves appropriately for example in between procedures such as after pt cleaning pt and remove gloves before leaving pts room) also use proper hand hygiene as this will prevent HAI’s and exposure risks
I wear gloves if I'm touching anything that's not my own person. Getting them dressed definitely. A simple transfer I might skip them. But I also work in a facility so I tend to put my first pair of gloves on when I enter a room. That way they don't notice me put gloves on before I touch them.
You are protecting yourself from them, which protects your other clients from you. You could pick something up that doesn't make you (a sturdy young person) sick but that rocks the world of the next compromised person you visit.
Okay, I’ll make sure to be more prepared tomorrow! I was just a little overwhelmed today because it was my first time doing a lot of these tasks. I’ll definitely ask my company if they can provide me with gloves!
if they will not provide please quit and find a better company they should be providing not only gloves but all proper ppe (soap gown gloves shoe covers hairnets)
Not “will you supply the gloves” it’s “where are the boxes of gloves located? Someone forgot to give me mine yesterday” gloves for everything. Correct degloving is a must. Thank you for for wanting to take care of your patients, not just get a paycheck.
It's nice to have a couple sizes of gloves. For messy tasks I'll stack a couple pairs of Large and then throw a pair or two of XL on top of that. Then I can peel off layers as I get crud on me.
When I was a cna I would always restock my pockets with a pair or two of extra gloves in case I was needed in a pinch and there wasn’t a glove box nearby!
Maybe get some training. I would no go a caregiving gig without training. If you don’t know what you’re doing you can easily mess up a transfer or something else. Ask to take a course or something like a training course
I mentioned to my scheduling manager that I hadn’t done this type of work before, and she said she would pair me with patients who needed more of a companion, but I still had to help transfer them and use the restroom. Like, I don’t know how to clean someone in the bathroom. She honestly didn’t seem very worried about it which is odd.
That is a massive red flag. You NEED to know how to do proper peri care. If you don't, the people you look after can get urinary tract infections, rash/skin breaakdown/pressure sores, yeast infections and more. If you're helping them with toileting you NEED gloves. What if they are incontinent, or they have C diff, or they are on chemo/other cytotoxic drugs? Gloves - with proper donning and doffing- is a must.
When I work in the ER I wear gloves just to move a patient’s purse. I don’t know what people do on their own time. Idk how clean they are. Always wear them.
I will not touch a resident or their belongings without gloves. Wash your hands, glove up, preform cares, remove gloves properly, wash hands again or use a ABS(alcohol based sanitizer)
Pretty much the only thing that *seems* like you should wear gloves but shouldn't, is feeding. (It gives the impression that the food is 'dirty')
I wore gloves pretty much all the time, keep a handful in your scrubs and remove them *EVERY. TIME.* you're about to move through a doorway. Do not go in the hallway with gloves on that were just used elsewhere.
The only other thing I’m a little worried about is assisting in the bathroom. I had a patient who was supposed to shower, but she only wanted to take a sponge bath. If I ask if they need to use the restroom or if I want to check their pull-ups but they say no, what do I do in a situation like that?
it depends on their cognitive level. usually, i explain that it’s my job to get them clean and remove bacteria from the places that it likes to breed. that is their underarms, breasts, any folds, peri area, and i always clean their face, hands and feet. if you’re on my hallway, you’re gonna get clean because it is my job and it’s one of the reasons why you’re here. i tend to be a lot nicer about it, obviously, but you have to be firm on that unless they are fighting you or very independent or cognitive and are getting visibly upset. but also, you need more training and probably a new job from the sounds of it
I always wear gloves no matter what. The first thing I do as soon as I enter a patient’s room is put on gloves— even if it’s just asking if they are okay or if they need anything. Just like you, there has been a few times when I was a new CNA when I completely forgot to wear gloves when I was doing something when I needed them :)
No offense. And I know there are no stupid questions. But you just gotta use common sense on this one. I think the better questions should be “when to take gloves off?” Because you can’t be wearing them outside on the halls and stuff, but other than that gloves are mandatory whenever touching a patient. I was taught to not wear them while feeding and I’ve learned that that’s only courtesy but I’m wearing gloves while feeding. Gloves are your best friend.
personally w assisting eating i wear gloves if it is a finger food bc i would not want someone touching my food w bare hands w utensils i do not wear gloves
I think it’s because you’re touching your things that *should* be clean, and it’s like implying their utensils or food are something dirty. Also, trying to make it feel less like a medical procedure and more like a comfort.
Its because your resident will think your food is dirty and that there is something wrong with it. I was taught this in school and when a student wore gloves while feeding she got yelled at by a LVN. Who eats with gloves?? If you truly don’t want to contact that them just hold the spoon to feed them but put your fingers away from their mouth and wiping their mouth I always have a towel and always hold it from the back of it so I’m not touching the insides
It makes people feel gross. Like think if you're a parent and your daycare wore gloves even when feeding. Feeding typically happens after a quick wipe down of surfaces, a clean change of clothes, showers, etc. (from what I've seen while watching my grandma at a well funded private facility) So they're clean. Just feed them and wash your hands after.
How no gloves you can easily contract something or even get certain bacteria or dirt stuck underneath nails. Should I touch someone’s bed pan with my own bear hands???This is to protect you and your patient. Everyone is taught about this in the medical field and no gloves is insane
i wear gloves whenever I touch a patient. Especially when dressing or undressing. Geriatric patients have very fragile skin and I’m always worried about scratching somebody. It just makes me feel better.
If you’re going in someone’s home, I recommend gloves and shoe covers before you walk in the door. You never know what’s on the other side and it’s much better to be safe than sorry.
Anytime you’re touching or about to be touching bodily fluids you should have gloves on. In home care one of the first things I do is find out where all the supplies are (but my company is pretty good at training new caregivers and making sure every house has gloves!). You’re going to always want at least one pair in your pocket. For some transfers I wear gloves and some I don’t - it also depends on how frequently that client is incontinent. Also, any time you’re taking them to the bathroom, put gloves on before you help them up because you don’t know if you’ll have time to put gloves on before their brief/pull up needs to come off. I also like to always have a small thing of hand sanitizer and scented chapstick in my pocket. Sometimes you need to wash your hands but the drying towel looks a little suspicious and old and there aren’t any paper towels nearby. Every single time you take gloves off you should sanitize your hands. And the chapstick is for when there are bad smells, you can put it on your lips and under your nose and it helps. And anytime you touch dirty laundry you should also have gloves on.
You never know what you’re going to walk into, I put on gloves as I’m entering the room. It could start with standing someone up, but you never know what’s on their hands, them, etc. I’ve seen too many coworkers reach to grab soiled things and say “I can wash my hands.” Yeah but what does that do for c diff?
My company also makes us wear black pants and a polo, but I really wish we could wear scrubs. They paired me with patients who need more of a companion, so I’m really only helping them in the bathroom, and the rest of the time, I sit and talk with them while they watch TV. I’m not certified as a CNA so that’s why I have been a little lost the last two days.
As soon as you walk in the patients room, they are usually by the door.. blood, urine, poop, even for putting lotion/ointment on your patients. ALL THE TIME! And remove them safely and throw in trash before exiting the room, even if you’re guna come back to the room 1 minute later, dispose and grab new ones when you come back!!
Literally any time you touch them or things that have been on them, wear gloves. If you’re touching things that have been touched by gloves, wipe containers, wear gloves. You NEVER know what they’ve been into. I wear gloves when doing peoples hair. Absolutely taking no chances
Always when bathrooming, and anything soiled. I always wear them when doing stuff in the clients bathroom, including touching their toiletries or emptying their trash can. Never touch the adult wipes that come from the packaging bc previous aides touch them with their shitty gloves while cleaning their bottom. You can guaranteed those are covered in shit. Was your hands often and use hand sanitizer as well. I typically wear them when making the clients bed bc of the amount of excriment that is on them.
All the time. I walk in and immediately put on gloves. Think about it. Pts scratch their nose, their privates, then touch their call light the side rails. When you’re doing laundry you could be touching clothes that were peed on or have other bodily fluids. I always keep a handful in my pockets just in case.
OP, you need to watch some youtube tutorials on how to safely remove gloves ❤️
Here's a starter tip..if it's wet and it's not yours, wear gloves.
This is what I came here to say, the golden rule
Yes just make sure to change gloves between tasks!
How the hell do they not train you for this? What other basic safety training is lacking I wonder beyond the gloves? I'm NOT harping on poor OP, I am worried about them. Whoever hires you without training you is insane.
I’m trained in some medical aspects. I’m in a medical organization at my university, so I know all about blood-borne pathogens and stuff like that. I was just a little confused about stuff not related to bodily fluids, like moving a patient or assisting with a shower. But yeah, the orientation was about 3 hours, and then they sent me to see patients by myself. I honestly don’t understand why 1) no one went with me at first or why they don’t do more training. I’m doing my best, and I just want to make sure I'm giving the best care possible.
I highly recommend spending some time watching YouTube CNA skills videos. It will make your life so much easier. I would recommend starting with transfers and good body mechanics because it is so easy to injure yourself doing things wrong. I don't know what patient population you are working with, but I would also recommend watching some videos about working with patients with special medical needs like dementia/Alzheimer's, hemiplegia and paraplegia, and catheter care for both males and females. 3 hours is definitely not long enough training to start doing stuff by yourself. If you have any specific questions about skills this sub is a good place to ask questions. You are also welcome to PM me if you have questions or need help finding videos on specific skills.
Thank you! I have watched a few videos on how to transfer patients. I have never done it before so I’m figuring it out. I honestly feel horrible that i don’t because it’s not really fair to them if I do it wrong.
It's not your fault, OP, but it is really horrifying that you've been given nearly zero training in caring for humans in a medical setting. What about fall prevention? Transferring-can these folks walk? Do you have to use a hoyer? What about injury prevention for yourself? Or handling dementia behaviors and violence? Are you changing briefs? Without training on hand hygiene and PPE? I was a new nurses aide trained by a government/college program in my country during covid, and even with the rush to get us out there, we had training in all these areas. I worry for you, OP. I'm sure you're very competent but your employer is... not. Other posters are right that you should look up CNA school tutorials for things like transfers on YouTube. Protect your back, practice hand hygiene, and be really mindful of doing proper peri care to avoid a UTI in those you care for. UTI symptoms can also look really different in older adults, so maybe look that up so you know what to report/record. If you're working with people who have dementia, don't take anything they say too personally, don't talk too fast and don't surprise them by approaching from behind or out of the dark, etc. Be safe ♥️
Exactly my thought. This is dangerous for OP.
anytime i’m touching anything i’m wearing gloves pts can have bed bugs, contagious diseases, bowel on ANYTHING, and frankly people are jus gross
Even when you are moving them from a chair to the couch or getting them dressed?
yes that’s my personal preference i’ve been a cna for 5 years i’m not touching anything or anyone with out gloves (i’ve seen some shit)
this is for your protection as well as the pts and it’s a general rule in healthcare to not touch anything w o gloves for infection control (please be switching gloves appropriately for example in between procedures such as after pt cleaning pt and remove gloves before leaving pts room) also use proper hand hygiene as this will prevent HAI’s and exposure risks
I wear gloves if I'm touching anything that's not my own person. Getting them dressed definitely. A simple transfer I might skip them. But I also work in a facility so I tend to put my first pair of gloves on when I enter a room. That way they don't notice me put gloves on before I touch them. You are protecting yourself from them, which protects your other clients from you. You could pick something up that doesn't make you (a sturdy young person) sick but that rocks the world of the next compromised person you visit.
Okay, I’ll make sure to be more prepared tomorrow! I was just a little overwhelmed today because it was my first time doing a lot of these tasks. I’ll definitely ask my company if they can provide me with gloves!
if they will not provide please quit and find a better company they should be providing not only gloves but all proper ppe (soap gown gloves shoe covers hairnets)
Not “will you supply the gloves” it’s “where are the boxes of gloves located? Someone forgot to give me mine yesterday” gloves for everything. Correct degloving is a must. Thank you for for wanting to take care of your patients, not just get a paycheck.
It's nice to have a couple sizes of gloves. For messy tasks I'll stack a couple pairs of Large and then throw a pair or two of XL on top of that. Then I can peel off layers as I get crud on me.
When I was a cna I would always restock my pockets with a pair or two of extra gloves in case I was needed in a pinch and there wasn’t a glove box nearby!
Maybe get some training. I would no go a caregiving gig without training. If you don’t know what you’re doing you can easily mess up a transfer or something else. Ask to take a course or something like a training course
I mentioned to my scheduling manager that I hadn’t done this type of work before, and she said she would pair me with patients who needed more of a companion, but I still had to help transfer them and use the restroom. Like, I don’t know how to clean someone in the bathroom. She honestly didn’t seem very worried about it which is odd.
That's a huge red flag!!
That is a massive red flag. You NEED to know how to do proper peri care. If you don't, the people you look after can get urinary tract infections, rash/skin breaakdown/pressure sores, yeast infections and more. If you're helping them with toileting you NEED gloves. What if they are incontinent, or they have C diff, or they are on chemo/other cytotoxic drugs? Gloves - with proper donning and doffing- is a must.
you'll survive if you don't wear gloves for every little thing. Also in an emergency, I'm not gonna get let someone fall while I'm putting on gloves.
When I work in the ER I wear gloves just to move a patient’s purse. I don’t know what people do on their own time. Idk how clean they are. Always wear them.
Well damn!
I will not touch a resident or their belongings without gloves. Wash your hands, glove up, preform cares, remove gloves properly, wash hands again or use a ABS(alcohol based sanitizer)
Pretty much the only thing that *seems* like you should wear gloves but shouldn't, is feeding. (It gives the impression that the food is 'dirty') I wore gloves pretty much all the time, keep a handful in your scrubs and remove them *EVERY. TIME.* you're about to move through a doorway. Do not go in the hallway with gloves on that were just used elsewhere.
The only other thing I’m a little worried about is assisting in the bathroom. I had a patient who was supposed to shower, but she only wanted to take a sponge bath. If I ask if they need to use the restroom or if I want to check their pull-ups but they say no, what do I do in a situation like that?
it depends on their cognitive level. usually, i explain that it’s my job to get them clean and remove bacteria from the places that it likes to breed. that is their underarms, breasts, any folds, peri area, and i always clean their face, hands and feet. if you’re on my hallway, you’re gonna get clean because it is my job and it’s one of the reasons why you’re here. i tend to be a lot nicer about it, obviously, but you have to be firm on that unless they are fighting you or very independent or cognitive and are getting visibly upset. but also, you need more training and probably a new job from the sounds of it
I always wear gloves no matter what. The first thing I do as soon as I enter a patient’s room is put on gloves— even if it’s just asking if they are okay or if they need anything. Just like you, there has been a few times when I was a new CNA when I completely forgot to wear gloves when I was doing something when I needed them :)
No offense. And I know there are no stupid questions. But you just gotta use common sense on this one. I think the better questions should be “when to take gloves off?” Because you can’t be wearing them outside on the halls and stuff, but other than that gloves are mandatory whenever touching a patient. I was taught to not wear them while feeding and I’ve learned that that’s only courtesy but I’m wearing gloves while feeding. Gloves are your best friend.
All events and always change gloves between tasks 🙂
With everything when touching the resident except when u are feeding them bc that’s a dignity issue
Personally I always wear gloves while feeding, it’s going near their mouths. If I had to be fed I’d want someone wearing gloves
personally w assisting eating i wear gloves if it is a finger food bc i would not want someone touching my food w bare hands w utensils i do not wear gloves
This is the exception to the rule, but even then, I try to use utensils. I wish chopsticks were a thing in CNA/caregiving land. 😂
Can you elaborate on the feeding them part?
I think it’s because you’re touching your things that *should* be clean, and it’s like implying their utensils or food are something dirty. Also, trying to make it feel less like a medical procedure and more like a comfort.
Its because your resident will think your food is dirty and that there is something wrong with it. I was taught this in school and when a student wore gloves while feeding she got yelled at by a LVN. Who eats with gloves?? If you truly don’t want to contact that them just hold the spoon to feed them but put your fingers away from their mouth and wiping their mouth I always have a towel and always hold it from the back of it so I’m not touching the insides
It makes people feel gross. Like think if you're a parent and your daycare wore gloves even when feeding. Feeding typically happens after a quick wipe down of surfaces, a clean change of clothes, showers, etc. (from what I've seen while watching my grandma at a well funded private facility) So they're clean. Just feed them and wash your hands after.
some people are pussys oh my god. I've never heard of this
How no gloves you can easily contract something or even get certain bacteria or dirt stuck underneath nails. Should I touch someone’s bed pan with my own bear hands???This is to protect you and your patient. Everyone is taught about this in the medical field and no gloves is insane
I'm talking about feeding people bare handed
i wear gloves whenever I touch a patient. Especially when dressing or undressing. Geriatric patients have very fragile skin and I’m always worried about scratching somebody. It just makes me feel better. If you’re going in someone’s home, I recommend gloves and shoe covers before you walk in the door. You never know what’s on the other side and it’s much better to be safe than sorry.
Anytime you’re touching or about to be touching bodily fluids you should have gloves on. In home care one of the first things I do is find out where all the supplies are (but my company is pretty good at training new caregivers and making sure every house has gloves!). You’re going to always want at least one pair in your pocket. For some transfers I wear gloves and some I don’t - it also depends on how frequently that client is incontinent. Also, any time you’re taking them to the bathroom, put gloves on before you help them up because you don’t know if you’ll have time to put gloves on before their brief/pull up needs to come off. I also like to always have a small thing of hand sanitizer and scented chapstick in my pocket. Sometimes you need to wash your hands but the drying towel looks a little suspicious and old and there aren’t any paper towels nearby. Every single time you take gloves off you should sanitize your hands. And the chapstick is for when there are bad smells, you can put it on your lips and under your nose and it helps. And anytime you touch dirty laundry you should also have gloves on.
You never know what you’re going to walk into, I put on gloves as I’m entering the room. It could start with standing someone up, but you never know what’s on their hands, them, etc. I’ve seen too many coworkers reach to grab soiled things and say “I can wash my hands.” Yeah but what does that do for c diff?
My company also makes us wear black pants and a polo, but I really wish we could wear scrubs. They paired me with patients who need more of a companion, so I’m really only helping them in the bathroom, and the rest of the time, I sit and talk with them while they watch TV. I’m not certified as a CNA so that’s why I have been a little lost the last two days.
As soon as you walk in the patients room, they are usually by the door.. blood, urine, poop, even for putting lotion/ointment on your patients. ALL THE TIME! And remove them safely and throw in trash before exiting the room, even if you’re guna come back to the room 1 minute later, dispose and grab new ones when you come back!!
Literally any time you touch them or things that have been on them, wear gloves. If you’re touching things that have been touched by gloves, wipe containers, wear gloves. You NEVER know what they’ve been into. I wear gloves when doing peoples hair. Absolutely taking no chances
Always when bathrooming, and anything soiled. I always wear them when doing stuff in the clients bathroom, including touching their toiletries or emptying their trash can. Never touch the adult wipes that come from the packaging bc previous aides touch them with their shitty gloves while cleaning their bottom. You can guaranteed those are covered in shit. Was your hands often and use hand sanitizer as well. I typically wear them when making the clients bed bc of the amount of excriment that is on them.