Just a few general queshtions once you get hired as a CNA

[Hopeful76]

I was wondering once you get hired as a CNA does someone usually train you for a few days to show you the ropes your not just put on a shift and not really knowing what to do are you? The course I will be taking is only a week long but they do help you find a job but I am worried about getting hired somewhere and not having no expreince and just being thrown in. Does someone help you with showering and what exactly is that like? What about lifting a patient is there help or is that all on one person? I just get nervous when it comes to lifting or placing someone in a wheelchair and not having any experience. So, if anyone can chime in and give me details on what your day is like or what your first few days or weeks were like I would appreciate it. I was suppose to go for my class a few months ago but Dh's job went out of business and he was on unemployment for 4 months so we had to put that on hold because of money but this is something I always wanted to do so I am going for it and I want to be good at it I don't want to go in and be scared because I didn't have enough training.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

They should give you an orientation period at your new job. At some places you only get a couple days though.

You don't get any help showering, except to transfer someone in and out of the shower chair, if needed, or if you have a really combative resident who's punching or biting or whatever. Otherwise you won't need it.

You shouldn't have to transfer someone by yourself if they don't balance well or bear any weight. Residents will be evaluated by professionals to determine their assist level and type of transfer.

[rancelumsden]

'..The course I will be taking is only a week long but they do help you find a job but I am worried about getting hired somewhere and not having no expreince and just being thrown in...'.

Wait a minute. A week long? You're looking, I assume, to become a CNA. "Certified Nurse Assistant". How are you going to become certified? Am I not understanding something, or are you not understanding something here. You need to be certified to obtain most jobs --- it is generally a requirement in order to be bonded.

There are programs, primarily in LTC, that do on-the-job training leading to your ability to take the state written and skills test. Are you in that type of program?

[CNAinTampa]

'..The course I will be taking is only a week long but they do help you find a job but I am worried about getting hired somewhere and not having no expreince and just being thrown in...'.

Wait a minute. A week long? You're looking, I assume, to become a CNA. "Certified Nurse Assistant". How are you going to become certified? Am I not understanding something, or are you not understanding something here. You need to be certified to obtain most jobs --- it is generally a requirement in order to be bonded.

There are programs, primarily in LTC, that do on-the-job training leading to your ability to take the state written and skills test. Are you in that type of program?

here in florida it is rally hard to find a course with more then 40 hours of training. it is b/c every state has different requirements. some states such as florida do not require an exam-- you can challenge it if you can pass the skills.

[Codeda]

You should be fine. I took a week long course and then passed the test. When I got hired they had me shadow someone to learn the ropes and after that if you have any questions just ask and it shouldn't be a problem. Good luck ; )

[LPNDebbie]

Florida offers schools that do not require a lot of class time. Skills and manuals need to be studied at home. I passed my CNA test with only 2 weekends of school.

[sonomala]

40 hours? We have 172, our clinicals alone were 60 hours. And thats mandated by the state for state certified schools. Wow florida is different.

[CNAinTampa]

yeah and medical assisting is NOT regulated. Florida sure is different..