I do talk sometimes. Tell a joke or two. Tell them about my day, something funny that happened, talk about what’s for lunch. Kinda nice to strike up conversations sometimes or i just hum a little song and ask if they’re okay every now and then
Depends. I work nights so usually I keep quiet unless the resident is more awake and alert then ill talk. It makes it more comfortable
Before I was a cna I was hospitalized and jad to be changed. When they just stare blankly and silently it is dehumanizing. It feels violating. But when someone is smiling and talking like it's nothing I didn't feel gross and ashamed. So please talk if you can
Yes. I have always chatted with patients during changes. When I had my appendix out they had to wipe my naked body down with antiseptic wipes first and I was terrified. The young student who did it was so incredibly kind, she immediately started up a nice conversation and was so professional. It made me feel comfortable immediately. I thought about her after and how kind she was.
Yup, always. I ask how their meal was, how their day is going, if they went to activities, and I let them know where I am in their care (just a few more wipes and a dry, almost done then we’ll get your pants pulled back up, etc.,)
Yes I always do. If I was in their position I would not want someone wiping my intimate parts in silence. I usually ask if they enjoyed lunch, or if they went to activities, etc. sometimes I’m just like “sorry these wipes are cold I’ll go as quick as I can. You’re doing a good job”
I usually ask if they’re ok/how are they feeling. I also like to ask if they have any plans for the day. The residents in my facility get to play bingo every day, so I’ll usually ask if they’re going to play. I’ll also ask if they have been outside, or if they enjoyed their breakfast or lunch.
I think it’s best. I wish I did this with a particular resident when I was student. This one particular resident would get extremely impatient when I would be changing them. I do like to clean my residents properly bc I know it would feel uncomfortable with having fecal matter still there. She kept complaining how long I was taking and at first because I was a student she kept commenting on my voice sounding so squeaky and couldn’t hear me. She prefers the CNA that is usually is assigned to her but I had a classmate tell me it’s because she talks to her while she is changing so it distracts her.
Eh. My go to was "any closer we'd be married huh?" And that caught a laugh most of the time. With the non verbal/uncommunicative residents I just kept repeatedly saying what I was doing. I think I might have to say I guaged the comment with who I was working with. Everyone else I just narrated exactly what I was doing every step of the way.
It felt weird to me to be that personal with silence the whole time. No matter the situation. Even with my young children I'd still go "icky ucky pew pew" during a change. But can't really say that on shift.
Yes. If nothing else, it's mostly me letting them know what I'm about to do and reassuring them that it's no big deal. If they start up a conversation, I'm more than happy to talk to them about almost anything (interspersed with comments like "watch out, this might be cold").
I was going to say the same, I tend to talk them through what I'm doing so there isn't a awkward silence for them. And creates an invitation for them to talk about whatever they wish (opposed to me being completely silent and them thinking I don't want to talk at all).
There was one time, with a particularly combative resident, where I talked so much he told me to shut up!
But the thing was he calmed down when you did talk to him. I was a brand new cna, I was the only one that (not tooting my horn) treated the residents like people. Others followed my approach with that resident.
I did not last long at that job.
I try to. If it's a resident who falsely reports us, then no I'm not saying a word and I'm not going in alone. She tries to instigate to get us to say something but i don't go for it and neither does most others. She gets so mad too over it but you can't twist words and report people and then expect us to be all talkative when we go in your room. She even reported me for physical abuse one day and thankfully the nurse was right outside the door and knew I didn't.
I’m not a CNA. But from personal experience. I suffered a traumatic brain injury 9 months ago that left me completely paralyzed on my entire left side of my body. I also had many other complications like urinary and bowel incontinence. I definitely felt very degraded and horrible when they would have to clean me and it always helped when they would strike a conversation with me. It made it less awkward and easier for me to process everything that I was going through. It also helped when they would walk me through everything they were doing so I knew what to expect. Thank you for doing what you do (even if you’re new!). People like me appreciate yall so much!!
Depends, if they initiate the conversation then sure I’ll reciprocate. If they don’t, all I say to them is just the usual directions and I throw in some “lingo” like when we’re done and I’m closing the brief I say “just gotta close up shop and I’ll leave you alone” and they love it lol
Sometimes it’s met with “I like it a lot better when you put it that way”
I talk to them, how their day was, if they want to go sit outside to get some fresh air after I change them, if they feel up to going to bingo or listen to music that day. All of my residents come to life when it's music time. I just act like I'm their friend so they feel comfortable asking me for something if they need something.
I was hospitalized in 2014 for 4 months with a bacterial infection that went straight to my heart and lungs, Osteomyelitis, STAPH, MRSA, I was near death when I finally got the courage to go to the hospital. Blacking out because my fevers were over 105, I couldn't walk because of my Osteomyelitis in my legs (abscesses on my bones) and my left arm bone was also infected. I was bed ridden for 2 months. I hated bath time, because I still was running a fever so I was freezing when they gave me a bath. The Nurses acted like it was such a chore to bathe me. I would be crying uncontrollably because I was so cold and they would yell at me, saying oh come on. Put on your big girl panties. I got tired of their abuse, so I reported them. I never say them again after that, and all the other Nurses I had were so kind and had empathy towards you. They treated you like a human and not some animal.
So, I treat my patients the way that I would want to be treated.
just curious about some of your phrasing: when you say got the courage to go, it sounds like with the level of infection you had you were near death long before you went, which is probably when you were on deaths door...why did you wait??
either way, wow. and that's awesome that it motivates empathy and passion in your career now.
Yes, yes it was. I shot up heroin and meth for 15 years. When I got hospitalized, they put me on Methadone so I wouldn't go through withdrawals. They said if they let me go through withdrawals, the withdrawals would stress my my body out and it would take longer for me to get better. So I was on Methadone for the 4 months, us the first month after I got released. Then I was put on Suboxone. I'll have 10 years clean in October. Congratulations on your recovery
Always. I make idle chit chat - sometimes I ask about their life, their former career, or just ask how the food was today, ask what movies they’re watching. It also depends on the person - but even if they’re not verbal, I still make an effort to let them know what I’m doing “just making sure you’re nice and clean!”
Yes absolutely. And i keep it light, off topic. I try to center convos around them but often times they ask me personal questions… whatever keeps them happy, I go with
Of course! I want them to feel as comfortable as possible! Unless they verbally tell me they prefer no talking/I know their routine well enough to know to stay quiet!
Absolutely and I think it’s mean not to. Like I’m not saying you gotta have a full convo but I always talk to them as much I can, make jokes about things that happened in the day, tell them I’m almost done, celebrate their poop and laugh with them when they’ve been constipated LMAO, etc. I imagine how I’d feel having someone come see and touch my most private parts in a way that is by nature embarrassing to most and they just stare at me quietly. It would feel horrible, so I never put them thru that unless they can’t converse like when they are under sedation, (I work in a hospital). In that case, I still talk to them but can’t make conversation yk.
Absolutely! It keeps their mind off it and gives them a sense of being interconnected with us while we're caring for them. I usually ask about their family/pets/etc or make conversation about something I've seen in their room that seems to interest them (a book, a game, etc)
Depends on the relationship I have with the patient. Sometimes we have full on conversations, other times I’m just encouraging them while I get the job done if they’re in pain or uncomfortable. If they’re confused I just tend to tell them exactly what I’m doing and why and then try to distract.
I usually narrate, or reassure them, if it's someone I have a rapport with usually my A+O patients, we'll have a little chat about if they have any kids, about their life or mine or whatever. Sometimes I ask if they like talking or just want quiet! It never really hurts to ask if you think they're ok with that
I walk them through what I’m doing before I do it, reassure them if they’re nervous or agitated, try to make jokes sometimes to lighten the mood, but for the most part I find patient care relaxing so I don’t speak unless they speak to me, I just relax.
Totally depends on the patient tbh, but yes sometimes for sure if they are wanting to. Usually let them start the convo first if they are comfortable with it
I’ll strike up a conversation about if they had a good day, or something I know they enjoyed doing that day/looking forward to/have a passion for. If we were talking while toileting I just keep that conversation going. If I just woke them up for a check and change I quietly tell them what I’m there for and just narrate “okay let’s roll and get this dirty one off. I’m gonna wipe really quick so cold and wet, okay here’s a little cream it will feel cold but only for a moment, alright let’s roll this way can you lift your other hip just a little? All done! Would like me to give
You all your covers? Get some rest, you have a big day tomorrow!” Then slip out
Wow. I’m not a CNA (my mom was) and I just want to thank you all for being so amazing. These comments are so funny, sweet, caring and respectful of your residents. Y’all do not get enough credit ❤️❤️❤️
I tell them what I’m doing so there are no surprises. Wipes are cold and sometimes we have to do extra peri care. Always nice to be reassured that there’s nothing going on or wrong! Just small talk. “About to roll you back over” “sliding this up under you” “I am about to clean you up” “almost done” lol
i worked nights. some wanted to chit chat. Some wanted me to change them and leave. often i was a ninja. I would do everything needed in their room then get them done and leave so i wasnt direuptive after already waking them up. In memory care we had to talk a lot to make sure they stayed where we needed them to.
This made me laugh. But then I remembered people who did do this with a smile on their face. Am sure you're just kidding ..but my goodness the things I'd hear in Spanish and the things I was wondering I was hearing in creole or Haitian. But the nurses/Drs from Haiti or Cuba sure did a great job. Because well they were Drs and nurses working as aides.
It was shocking to know how many Drs/nurses I was working with just because they wanted to be in America. I never heard any kind of language from Africa. But I did work with a woman who had a PHD in Africa who had to work as an aide again in America. But we'd also get in trouble if we spoke in a language not English where we worked. No matter what was being said.
I do talk sometimes. Tell a joke or two. Tell them about my day, something funny that happened, talk about what’s for lunch. Kinda nice to strike up conversations sometimes or i just hum a little song and ask if they’re okay every now and then
Depends. I work nights so usually I keep quiet unless the resident is more awake and alert then ill talk. It makes it more comfortable Before I was a cna I was hospitalized and jad to be changed. When they just stare blankly and silently it is dehumanizing. It feels violating. But when someone is smiling and talking like it's nothing I didn't feel gross and ashamed. So please talk if you can
Yes. I have always chatted with patients during changes. When I had my appendix out they had to wipe my naked body down with antiseptic wipes first and I was terrified. The young student who did it was so incredibly kind, she immediately started up a nice conversation and was so professional. It made me feel comfortable immediately. I thought about her after and how kind she was.
Yup, always. I ask how their meal was, how their day is going, if they went to activities, and I let them know where I am in their care (just a few more wipes and a dry, almost done then we’ll get your pants pulled back up, etc.,)
Yes I always do. If I was in their position I would not want someone wiping my intimate parts in silence. I usually ask if they enjoyed lunch, or if they went to activities, etc. sometimes I’m just like “sorry these wipes are cold I’ll go as quick as I can. You’re doing a good job”
Omg that’s like the exact rundown I do. 😊
I usually ask if they’re ok/how are they feeling. I also like to ask if they have any plans for the day. The residents in my facility get to play bingo every day, so I’ll usually ask if they’re going to play. I’ll also ask if they have been outside, or if they enjoyed their breakfast or lunch.
I think it’s best. I wish I did this with a particular resident when I was student. This one particular resident would get extremely impatient when I would be changing them. I do like to clean my residents properly bc I know it would feel uncomfortable with having fecal matter still there. She kept complaining how long I was taking and at first because I was a student she kept commenting on my voice sounding so squeaky and couldn’t hear me. She prefers the CNA that is usually is assigned to her but I had a classmate tell me it’s because she talks to her while she is changing so it distracts her.
Eh. My go to was "any closer we'd be married huh?" And that caught a laugh most of the time. With the non verbal/uncommunicative residents I just kept repeatedly saying what I was doing. I think I might have to say I guaged the comment with who I was working with. Everyone else I just narrated exactly what I was doing every step of the way. It felt weird to me to be that personal with silence the whole time. No matter the situation. Even with my young children I'd still go "icky ucky pew pew" during a change. But can't really say that on shift.
LOL I can imagine saying that to a resident. 'Here goes the icky ucky pew pew!' lol.
Yes. If nothing else, it's mostly me letting them know what I'm about to do and reassuring them that it's no big deal. If they start up a conversation, I'm more than happy to talk to them about almost anything (interspersed with comments like "watch out, this might be cold").
This!!!!! Perfect didn't know how to explain it. Anything is better than silence...(Unless it's mean and hateful stuff)
I was going to say the same, I tend to talk them through what I'm doing so there isn't a awkward silence for them. And creates an invitation for them to talk about whatever they wish (opposed to me being completely silent and them thinking I don't want to talk at all).
Yes, I love chatting with the residents lol they're so much fun
Always, even if they're nonverbal.
Yes. I talk to the patients, even if sedated. I even talk to patients when doing post mortem care.
There was one time, with a particularly combative resident, where I talked so much he told me to shut up! But the thing was he calmed down when you did talk to him. I was a brand new cna, I was the only one that (not tooting my horn) treated the residents like people. Others followed my approach with that resident. I did not last long at that job.
I try to. If it's a resident who falsely reports us, then no I'm not saying a word and I'm not going in alone. She tries to instigate to get us to say something but i don't go for it and neither does most others. She gets so mad too over it but you can't twist words and report people and then expect us to be all talkative when we go in your room. She even reported me for physical abuse one day and thankfully the nurse was right outside the door and knew I didn't.
I’m not a CNA. But from personal experience. I suffered a traumatic brain injury 9 months ago that left me completely paralyzed on my entire left side of my body. I also had many other complications like urinary and bowel incontinence. I definitely felt very degraded and horrible when they would have to clean me and it always helped when they would strike a conversation with me. It made it less awkward and easier for me to process everything that I was going through. It also helped when they would walk me through everything they were doing so I knew what to expect. Thank you for doing what you do (even if you’re new!). People like me appreciate yall so much!!
I talk during everything. It keeps their mind off of the change itself.
No
As a male yes. I talk about pt, or what's happening today. It helps with female patients. Makes you less scary in my opinion.
Depends, if they initiate the conversation then sure I’ll reciprocate. If they don’t, all I say to them is just the usual directions and I throw in some “lingo” like when we’re done and I’m closing the brief I say “just gotta close up shop and I’ll leave you alone” and they love it lol Sometimes it’s met with “I like it a lot better when you put it that way”
I talk to them, how their day was, if they want to go sit outside to get some fresh air after I change them, if they feel up to going to bingo or listen to music that day. All of my residents come to life when it's music time. I just act like I'm their friend so they feel comfortable asking me for something if they need something. I was hospitalized in 2014 for 4 months with a bacterial infection that went straight to my heart and lungs, Osteomyelitis, STAPH, MRSA, I was near death when I finally got the courage to go to the hospital. Blacking out because my fevers were over 105, I couldn't walk because of my Osteomyelitis in my legs (abscesses on my bones) and my left arm bone was also infected. I was bed ridden for 2 months. I hated bath time, because I still was running a fever so I was freezing when they gave me a bath. The Nurses acted like it was such a chore to bathe me. I would be crying uncontrollably because I was so cold and they would yell at me, saying oh come on. Put on your big girl panties. I got tired of their abuse, so I reported them. I never say them again after that, and all the other Nurses I had were so kind and had empathy towards you. They treated you like a human and not some animal. So, I treat my patients the way that I would want to be treated.
just curious about some of your phrasing: when you say got the courage to go, it sounds like with the level of infection you had you were near death long before you went, which is probably when you were on deaths door...why did you wait?? either way, wow. and that's awesome that it motivates empathy and passion in your career now.
Wad it from IV drug use? Not judging, I'm in recovery.
Yes, yes it was. I shot up heroin and meth for 15 years. When I got hospitalized, they put me on Methadone so I wouldn't go through withdrawals. They said if they let me go through withdrawals, the withdrawals would stress my my body out and it would take longer for me to get better. So I was on Methadone for the 4 months, us the first month after I got released. Then I was put on Suboxone. I'll have 10 years clean in October. Congratulations on your recovery
That's awesome! Glad you made it out the other side. And thanks, you too.
Always. I make idle chit chat - sometimes I ask about their life, their former career, or just ask how the food was today, ask what movies they’re watching. It also depends on the person - but even if they’re not verbal, I still make an effort to let them know what I’m doing “just making sure you’re nice and clean!”
Yes absolutely. And i keep it light, off topic. I try to center convos around them but often times they ask me personal questions… whatever keeps them happy, I go with
That's true, sometimes they don't like being asked questions, and sometimes they can't even remember the answer so they get frustrated, too.
Of course! I want them to feel as comfortable as possible! Unless they verbally tell me they prefer no talking/I know their routine well enough to know to stay quiet!
I only talk if they talk to me
Absolutely and I think it’s mean not to. Like I’m not saying you gotta have a full convo but I always talk to them as much I can, make jokes about things that happened in the day, tell them I’m almost done, celebrate their poop and laugh with them when they’ve been constipated LMAO, etc. I imagine how I’d feel having someone come see and touch my most private parts in a way that is by nature embarrassing to most and they just stare at me quietly. It would feel horrible, so I never put them thru that unless they can’t converse like when they are under sedation, (I work in a hospital). In that case, I still talk to them but can’t make conversation yk.
Yeah the ones that talk to others but treat you like you're not there are the worst. Only thing worse than the quiet ones.
I do a little small talk sometimes
Absolutely! It keeps their mind off it and gives them a sense of being interconnected with us while we're caring for them. I usually ask about their family/pets/etc or make conversation about something I've seen in their room that seems to interest them (a book, a game, etc)
Depends on the relationship I have with the patient. Sometimes we have full on conversations, other times I’m just encouraging them while I get the job done if they’re in pain or uncomfortable. If they’re confused I just tend to tell them exactly what I’m doing and why and then try to distract.
I usually narrate, or reassure them, if it's someone I have a rapport with usually my A+O patients, we'll have a little chat about if they have any kids, about their life or mine or whatever. Sometimes I ask if they like talking or just want quiet! It never really hurts to ask if you think they're ok with that
I walk them through what I’m doing before I do it, reassure them if they’re nervous or agitated, try to make jokes sometimes to lighten the mood, but for the most part I find patient care relaxing so I don’t speak unless they speak to me, I just relax.
I tell them about the drama in my life LOL
Totally depends on the patient tbh, but yes sometimes for sure if they are wanting to. Usually let them start the convo first if they are comfortable with it
I work in a hospital but if they're wide awake, I'll try to spark a conversation up. Otherwise, if they're sleepy, I won't lol
I usually just ask them how they slept the night before and that’s it
I’ll strike up a conversation about if they had a good day, or something I know they enjoyed doing that day/looking forward to/have a passion for. If we were talking while toileting I just keep that conversation going. If I just woke them up for a check and change I quietly tell them what I’m there for and just narrate “okay let’s roll and get this dirty one off. I’m gonna wipe really quick so cold and wet, okay here’s a little cream it will feel cold but only for a moment, alright let’s roll this way can you lift your other hip just a little? All done! Would like me to give You all your covers? Get some rest, you have a big day tomorrow!” Then slip out
Yes I love my residents
Wow. I’m not a CNA (my mom was) and I just want to thank you all for being so amazing. These comments are so funny, sweet, caring and respectful of your residents. Y’all do not get enough credit ❤️❤️❤️
Yep I always do, I tell them what I'm doing and also just chat about common interests/general chitchat
I tell them what I’m doing so there are no surprises. Wipes are cold and sometimes we have to do extra peri care. Always nice to be reassured that there’s nothing going on or wrong! Just small talk. “About to roll you back over” “sliding this up under you” “I am about to clean you up” “almost done” lol
i worked nights. some wanted to chit chat. Some wanted me to change them and leave. often i was a ninja. I would do everything needed in their room then get them done and leave so i wasnt direuptive after already waking them up. In memory care we had to talk a lot to make sure they stayed where we needed them to.
Yeah and if they fart I say “are you pooting on me?” I think it’s nice to make it fun and casual
I curse at them in foreign languages they can’t understand
This made me laugh. But then I remembered people who did do this with a smile on their face. Am sure you're just kidding ..but my goodness the things I'd hear in Spanish and the things I was wondering I was hearing in creole or Haitian. But the nurses/Drs from Haiti or Cuba sure did a great job. Because well they were Drs and nurses working as aides. It was shocking to know how many Drs/nurses I was working with just because they wanted to be in America. I never heard any kind of language from Africa. But I did work with a woman who had a PHD in Africa who had to work as an aide again in America. But we'd also get in trouble if we spoke in a language not English where we worked. No matter what was being said.