A good first step...

iliel · Feb 6, 2004

Good Luck! Sounds like your off on the right foot!

jemommyRN · Feb 6, 2004

I HOPE THAT YOU GET THE POSITION BECAUSE I HEARD THAT IT HELPS TO HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE IN THE HOSPITAL BEFORE YOU EVEN START SCHOOL.

ADNRN · Feb 6, 2004

Originally posted by tmiller027
Well, In my job hunt, I've applied at some nursing homes for CNA positions. I figured that would give me some good experience before I get into the nursing program this fall. I had two interviews yesterday, and one place gave a personality assesment.

That place called me this morning and wants me to come in for a 2nd interview and then shadow a current CNA for half a shift. If I get selected after that, I'll attend their CNA class in May :) I hope it works out.

Tim

Good luck to you. I did the same thing. I worked at a nursing home during AP 1&2 and micro and then on Saturdays during level 1. I didn't work during level 2, but I did an externship during the summer between 2 and 3 in the PACU of our county hospital. Now I have a job as a tech on the cardiac stepdown unit at that same hospital where in addition to CNA stuff, I do phlebotomy and EKGs. That's the floor I want to work on when I graduate, and the manager says she'll hold a position open for me (of course they always have positions open, anyway!).

I'll give you some advice, and I normally don't give advice because I think people who give advice are typically moronic, but I'll risk it this time: You're choosing the hard road, you know. It's the best road. It's the narrow gate, but you are putting yourself in probably the hardest area of nursing (CNA in a nursing home). It will definitely help you in school. It will definitely help you get a job after school is done and you're a nurse, but it might break you, too. Just remember that you can only help one patient at a time. And never, ever judge a patient. You will want to, and you will see so many others do it, but if you judge one, you'll eventually judge them all, and then you will burn out on nursing before you realize it. Or worse: you'll end up a mean, self-righteous battle axe who hates patients and everyone else. And you will see enough of that type, believe me you.

Ok, I'm sorry to presume to give you advice. I hope it doesn't make you think less of me. But I felt I had to warn you, up front. Don't be afraid to come on here and vent about what you see. I'll definitely be here to read it.

Good luck.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2004

Good luck!

tmiller027 · Feb 6, 2004

Originally posted by ADNRN
Good luck to you. I did the same thing. I worked at a nursing home during AP 1&2 and micro and then on Saturdays during level 1. I didn't work during level 2, but I did an externship during the summer between 2 and 3 in the PACU of our county hospital. Now I have a job as a tech on the cardiac stepdown unit at that same hospital where in addition to CNA stuff, I do phlebotomy and EKGs. That's the floor I want to work on when I graduate, and the manager says she'll hold a position open for me (of course they always have positions open, anyway!).

I'll give you some advice, and I normally don't give advice because I think people who give advice are typically moronic, but I'll risk it this time: You're choosing the hard road, you know. It's the best road. It's the narrow gate, but you are putting yourself in probably the hardest area of nursing (CNA in a nursing home). It will definitely help you in school. It will definitely help you get a job after school is done and you're a nurse, but it might break you, too. Just remember that you can only help one patient at a time. And never, ever judge a patient. You will want to, and you will see so many others do it, but if you judge one, you'll eventually judge them all, and then you will burn out on nursing before you realize it. Or worse: you'll end up a mean, self-righteous battle axe who hates patients and everyone else. And you will see enough of that type, believe me you.

Ok, I'm sorry to presume to give you advice. I hope it doesn't make you think less of me. But I felt I had to warn you, up front. Don't be afraid to come on here and vent about what you see. I'll definitely be here to read it.

Good luck.

I appreciate the advice, thank you. The good thing is, this particular nursing home has one of the best reputations in the area. They're privately funded by a local church. While I'm not very religious, the people I've talked to there have been very nice and encouraging so far.

My grandma was in a different nursing home the last 7 years of her life, and it was a hell hole. It was my parents choice and I think they only kept her there because at the time, it was the only place that Medicaid would pay for. It stunk, she was always filthy and the staff acted like they could care less. Seriously, we'd tell them that her sheets needed changed, the girl would be sitting at the desk reading a magazine and would just say she'd be there in a minute, and would never come. We'd complain to the management and nothing was ever done. My grandma had alzheimers yet, the nursing home was giving her (or at least billing for) psychotherapy and speech therapy sessions. Why would they do this for an 85 year old woman with advanced stages of alzheimers? So they could rip off Medicaid, that's why.

Anyway, sorry to rant lol...that's just a hot spot with me. When I become a CNA, I don't want to be like the ones I saw at this place. And the CNAs here seem to be very nice and caring. The home maintains high standards, so the don't tolerate poor job performance or negligence, and that's how it should be. I've tried to find other areas of healthcare to break into to get my feet wet, and this seems to be the only door opening, so I plan on taking it.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, thanks again for all the support :)