Kristy Umberger

On the floor Red Zone

White lights, red flashing lights. Hollerin’ bout having to use the bedpan/urinal, but really they were just on it bout 10 minutes ago and they had forgotten. This is the start of a typical evening in a CNA’s shift. It first starts when you walk in the door; you look down the hall, 1 to 2 white lights are lit (if your lucky none will be lit). You answer them and reassure them that you’ll be back in after you drop your things. Once you receive a report from the other CNAs from the previous shift, you can now attend to the call lights that were on when you walked in the door and the ones that are on right now. Wow! What a start, at around 4 pm you can sit and start some charting (depends on how much cleanup you have to do). Also, check everyone’s rooms for briefs, “are they stocked?” If not you have to ask through the double doors with the sizes, oh and don’t forget the butt cream, oh and linens. You need washcloths, towels, fitted sheets, flat sheets, a couple of blankets, bed pads, and don’t forget hospital gowns; even though they have been in their gowns all day, they need to be switched. Ah yes, make sure to ask for cups with ice; eight to be exact. “Is that everything you need?” Oh wait, did they bring PPE gowns, and do you have enough gloves in your size, might I add. “Now I have everything,” “I’m sure of it.”