Orientation

Orientation today went very well aside from the fact that it took me three tries to pee in the stupid cup for my drug test. That was embarrassing but I finally got it taken care of. I was there today from 9:00 - 4:30 and I found out that I will get paid for it too, so that is awesome. I start my first day on the floor tomorrow, but not officially. It is almost like another clinical period. I have to do three days with another CNA until I am officially on the schedule as an employee. So, I work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 7:00 am - 3:00 pm which is a great shift and the one I wanted. Goodbye weekend though. Today I filled out a 2 inch stack of paperwork on everything from tax forms to vaccinations to system policies and even program rules. It was a lot of paperwork and a lot to take in but thankfully most of it will not pertain to my everyday work. As I was completing the mound of papers I had to watch one video after another for the entire time. The videos started at 10 this morning and didn't end until 4 this evening, and of course they were awful. The lady who I did my orientation with left as much as possible and when she was in there we sat and made fun of the people in the videos quite often. We both nearly fell asleep. After all of this was done the two of us went over the employee handbook and rules that were real big in their facility. Then came my TB vaccination. Most of you know how big of a baby I am when it comes to shots and needles, but here lately I have let mom give me a shot and kinda "manned" up when it comes to it. So, I sit with my arms up as she sticks me three times. Luckily it didn't hurt a single bit but of course I prepared for the worst each time she had to start over. She said I had very good plump skin so it made this particular test pretty tricky, especially when she is used to doing it on older people with much thinner skin. Well, we finally got that done and over with but I still have to get one more done in a month. She said I have to have two negative readings as a new hire. So, we will see how that goes. Just fine I am sure. Next we talked about the Hepititis B vaccination. This one is completely optional, but recommended especially since they will do it for free. So, I contemplate this for a while and then I had to "man up" again to sign the line that said I agree to get it done. I didn't have to get that one today and I won't know about that until the date is posted. This vaccination requires three shots not counting the times that they mess up :) I have one done and then one month later I have another one done and then six months after that I have to get the last one. So great, for the next eight months this is what I have to look forward to :) After all of this she gave me a tour of the place and introduced me to a few of the employees. Most of them really liked me and loved that I was getting started and so motivated at such a young age. The few that didn't care for me were of course CNA's and my administrator said that there are always a few that don't like the new hires and in her words "are complete bitches" haha. She said I would be fine though as long as I stand my ground. She seemed to really like me, and I am glad because I really like her too. Anyways, I feel like I am doing a lot of rambling. I am sure I will have a lot more to update on after tomorrow on my first day out on the floor. Thanks everyone for the encouragement and congratulations!