New Job Advice

Hydrophobic1212 · 10:14 PM

Okay, so, as I'm sure some of you have seen, I had trouble with my last job, and now I have a new one at a nursing home as a dietary aid.

I am really excited, but of course, I'm really nervous. I don't want to fail this one like I did my last one and this one seems right up my alley.

I have some worries though...

I am still working on small talk. I am not good at it yet and I will have to talk to the residents casually. I do not know if my training will go over this, so does anyone have suggestions of how to talk with someone elderly? I am so lost on social etiquette.

It's also food service, something I've never done before and swore I wouldn't do because I'm a total klutz. But, it's not too fast paced like a restaurant, so I'm thinking it should be fine?

I also have one shift that starts at 6:30 in the morning. I have never had to be fully functioning that early in the morning.

I am not sure how I will handle a resident dying either... Especially if they are one I have grown to like. But, I am sure that you learn with the job.

And then, of course, it's a new job! I'm horrible with new things and change.

I'm also nervous about going to see my boss from my old job, to turn in my two weeks notice.

Does anyone have any suggestions for any of these concerns? I would appreciate any help you could give, I'm starting to freak out right now. Dx

hamster-bamster · Dec 13, 2012, 09:59 PM

With getting up so early, you should probably try doing it on the weekends as well. The general wisdom has it that bp people should be on the same schedule weekday or weekend.

With small talk, try putting yourself in the shoes of the residents. What would you like to chat about?

Hydrophobic1212 · Dec 13, 2012, 10:14 PM

It's only on weekends that I would be getting up that early and during the school year, I am going to have to wake up early for classes. So I will be pretty consistent, I think.

And I am not sure... My mom suggested looking at them and maybe commenting on something they have on? Like "Oh, that's a really pretty ring!" And let them talk about that?

hamster-bamster · Dec 13, 2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrophobic1212

And I am not sure... My mom suggested looking at them and maybe commenting on something they have on? Like "Oh, that's a really pretty ring!" And let them talk about that?

I think that is a very decent start.

Hydrophobic1212 · Dec 13, 2012, 10:17 PM

I suppose. But it will only work for someone who has something like that on, hence my panic of not knowing how to handle the others. D:

hamster-bamster · Dec 13, 2012, 10:22 PM

There is always the weather, I suppose. Are there activities that the residents do daily?

~Christina · Dec 13, 2012, 10:27 PM

Yeah early morning shift will be tough at first ...

Talking to the elderly is so much easier than you could imagine... They just want to be heard and spoken to like an adult, So many people talk down to the elderly

..Just because someone gets old doesn't mean they get stupid .

I miss working in the nursing home/ALF setting .. Some of the greatest people I have had the honor to know were patients I took care of. Many were rich ,many were just dumped there by "family" members.. They all have a story to tell about there lives. They just want kindness and respect. It's really easy .. I promise.

As for putting your 2 weeks notice in .. Do it in writing and if asked why you are leaving .. respond with "Although I have enjoyed working here I have found a position that is a better fit for me"

You are going to do fine

hamster-bamster · Dec 13, 2012, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morethingswrong

Yeah early morning shift will be tough at first ...

Talking to the elderly is so much easier than you could imagine... They just want to be heard and spoken to like an adult, So many people talk down to the elderly

..Just because someone gets old doesn't mean they get stupid .

I miss working in the nursing home/ALF setting .. Some of the greatest people I have had the honor to know were patients I took care of. Many were rich ,many were just dumped there by "family" members.. They all have a story to tell about there lives. They just want kindness and respect. It's really easy .. I promise.

As for putting your 2 weeks notice in .. Do it in writing and if asked why you are leaving .. respond with "Although I have enjoyed working here I have found a position that is a better fit for me"

You are going to do fine

Life stories - the residents' life stories! I bet if you are a good listener they would enjoy sharing their stories with you.

Hydrophobic1212 · Dec 13, 2012, 11:04 PM

Thank you both! We cannot talk to them for too long, since we have to tend to everyone else, since this isn't a CNA/Personal Care giver job. But you're still supposed to talk to them. So I'm sure I can handle it. It will just be new for awhile.

The ones I am unsure how to talk to are the ones that are... Far gone. There was one lady today who carried around a baby doll and thought it was her son. I don't know how to handle that yet.

~Christina · Dec 13, 2012, 11:16 PM

you will soon remember who likes tea or coffee , regular or decaf refills .. little things like that will make someones day

Oh the little ladies with baby dolls.. I always told them how beautiful there baby is.. There is never a reason to argue with an elderly patient.. Dementia is a sad thing..

The best thing to do is treat everyo0ne like you would like to be treated... Old saying , but its so true.

Hydrophobic1212 · Dec 13, 2012, 11:58 PM

Thank you! I am quite excited to be making them happy! I really want to help. But now I'm sick due to nerves because I just realized I have to take care of my past job now. Dx I have to quit and deal with my mean boss and another person I work with.

hamster-bamster · Dec 14, 2012, 12:06 AM

As someone has said already, be sure everything is in writing.

Hydrophobic1212 · Dec 14, 2012, 12:40 AM

Everything is in writing. I am just scared about the confrontation. Dx And I'm scared he'll see me and be all "you're fired" and not give me a chance to quit gracefully. Dx

~Christina · Dec 14, 2012, 04:35 PM

Just walk in and say " here is my 2 weeks notice in writing" Smile and remember YOU are in control..If he were were to start yelling .. Just calmly smile and repeat "here is my 2 week notice" say "thank you " and walk away.

You have another job.. Don't feel scared.. and if your ole boss is a yeller like that even more reason to be polite .. angry people don't know how to react to calm people.

Good luck

Hydrophobic1212 · Dec 15, 2012, 01:18 AM

He was really good about it.

He even invited me to stay for pizza they were ordering, but I was too nervous to do it. So I was just like "No thank you, I appreciate the offer but I have to go home and get ready for work."

And my new job? It's AMAZING. I think it's a great choice, more and more keeps becoming wonderful about it. I'm so excited!

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