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prince (offline) Moderated by: admin Joined: Dec 2013 Location: Posts: 1	Sat Dec 14, 2013 9:12 pm Last edited Dec 14, 2013, 09:56 pm Update #1 I recently finished my cert III at tafe and got my first nursing position as an assistant nurse at a high care nursing home. During my first week it was very intense and the other nurses kept telling me I was working too slow which was fair enough. On my last day this week in an attempt to go faster while transporting a patient onto a wheelchairs after toileting him I somehow caused a skin tear. I suspect it was on the edge of his wheel chair. I felt terrible afterwards since I was having a bad day already and felt really stressed and tired. Does everyone screw up sometimes and cause a skin care in a resident. I feel like I'm a terrible nurse for hurting him. modified: Saturday 14 December 2013 11:08:20 pm - admin

KylieO (offline) Joined: May 2013 Location: Dingley Village Posts: 14	Dec 19, 2013, 01:18 pm Hi there. Firstly - welcome to aged care! Secondly - SLOW DOWN! PCA's love to tell newbies they are too slow, not fast enough, doing it wrong etc etc... BUT your primary duty is to your resident and to their safety and well being. If you are new, the other PCA's need to put their big girl pants on and HELP you - not stress you out. Yes, you will be slower (and you can remind them that they were probably slow to start with as well!) but you are new and it takes a few weeks to find your groove. No, if we are lucky we do not cause skin tears, do they happen - yes, but you need to slow down and do your job to ensure it does not happen again. It is regrettable that it did, and please ensure that you report it and speak to your EN asap if anything does happen. Speak to your EN and tell them that you are a bit slower to start with - they will understand! But if you injure residents because you are rushing, you are at fault unfortunately. Slow down, get to know your routine and then you will find ways to get faster. Good luck!

skuzie (offline) Joined: Jan 2014 Location: Ocean Grove Posts: 2	Jan 27, 2014, 10:32 pm Hi, Totally agree, on my placement I was told I was to slow and even in the first couple of weeks working I felt slow, some forget what it is like. Yes sometimes bruises skin tears happen, but keep honest and remember always cover yourself with documentation. If you are finding it hard talk with your div about it, they might be able to help you out, give you pointers, also time management takes a while to master and before you start take a deep breath and decide ok were do I need to start, what must be done before morning tea for example. Always smile and the residents wont notice that you are having a horrid day. Find someone you can debrief and vent to. We are here if you need to ask questions or need to vent.

Tanbee (offline) Joined: Jan 2015 Location: Posts: 3	Jan 21, 2015, 10:29 pm Firstly despite all your best efforts skin tears sometimes happens. Take a deep breath and slow down a bit, if someone questions you say "im new how about someone give me help or tips to get faster". Or "I have never done this before, someone teach me". Instead of them snapping at you they should be willing to help you, to gain skills to do things in a manner that they wish. Im a new RN to aged care I have worked in hospitals and community, I have absolutely no idea what I am going to be doing. Im concerned.

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