Anyone from Pittsburgh, Western PA?

[colleen10]

Hi there,

Is anyone out there from Pittsburgh area, Western Pennsylvania?

I need your advice.

I am looking for an entry level clinical position (patient care tech., etc.) in the Pittsburgh area while I do my pre-req's. I don't have any Nursing School clinical experience yet nor any other hospital experience either.

I do not want to pay for a CNA course so that I can get a job in a hospital because I here that there are places that will take you and give you on site training. However, I can't find them!

I have checked the paper and websites of local hospitals but I see a lot ads that require 1 year experience and I don't see anything about training programs.

If you know of local hospitals that offer on site training please let me know. Or, if you have heard some not so nice things about certain training programs let me know also so that I may avoid them.

If you have any advice about breaking into an entry level position please feel free to share. Or, if you know of good CNA programs I'd appreciate that too.

I do not have any contacts here that are in the Health Care field so your insight will be much appreciated. Also, if you know what most of these types of positions pay in our area I would also like to know that too.

Thank you for any help you can give,

Colleen

[kaycee]

Colleen,

I work in a community hospital in the northern suburbs of PGH. E-mail or PM me and I'll be glad to give you some info.

[Zee_RN, BSN, RN]

West Penn Hospital offers a training course for entry level Patient Care Associate positions (nurse's aide). Many nursing homes do also. You can private-message me too and I'll give you some information. I'm in the Eastern Suburbs.

Many people underestimate the knowledge a nurse's aide needs. I commend you for looking for training. People have gotten irate with me on the telephone or in a personal visit when they wanted to come into the hospital and take a position as a nurse's aide without any knowledge or training because it is "entry level" and I won't hire them without SOME background. Skills and knowledge a nurse's aide must have include, but are not limited to:

* taking vital signs and knowing what's normal and abnormal (temperature, blood pressure, pulse & respirations)

* proper lifting and transferring techniques with good body mechanics

* aspiration precautions

* proper technique for bed bathing AND making an occupied bed

* skin care assessment

* knowledge of medical terminology

* psychosocial skills

* assisting with activities of daily living

* different types of diets and who should get what (a diabetic, a CHF'er, a renal failure, a patient for the OR, a patient for a colonoscopy)

* urine specimen collection (clean catch & sterile retrieval from a foley)

* testing specimens for occult blood

* time management skills! (the aide may be the only aide for 18 or more patients!)

The list goes on..... Again, I commend you for seeking training. There ARE places to get it without paying for it, right here in the 'Burgh!

[thisnurse]

when i was taking my nursing classes i applied, with no experience, at a hospital and got a job as an assistant. since i was taking classes i didnt need to be certified.

i had also applied at a nursing home and they were going to send me to classes, paid of course, but when the DON saw that i walked with a limp she told me i should consider another profession and would not consider me unless i had a release from my orthapedist. naturally, i didnt return.

i suggest you just go and apply.

the hospitals will see you as an investment.

the facility where i work has an intensive on campus training program for patient care techs. in fact they have a nursing school as well.

start applying...i doubt you will have a problem getting a position at a hospital or nursing home.

[BadBird, BSN, RN]

Call UPMC Presby, I think they are offering free tuition for nursing school, I am sure any hospital would be glad to have you since there is such a shortage and you would be a good asset to any hospital. Good luck

[Zee_RN, BSN, RN]

The WPAHS hospitals also offer free tuition to nursing school (West Penn, Allegheny General, Forbes Regional, Alle-Kiski, Canonsburg and Suburban General). And up to $7000 reimbursement of nursing school costs to those about ready to graduate now. And will pay for employees' spouses and dependents to go to nursing school. It's a great time to get into nursing!

[janmae1950]

Vincentian Nursing Home in North Hills offers training to be a CNA. And you are paid during training. I'm in that now.

I had 4 weeks of training in January. The test was in early April and they got the Red Cross to come to Vincentian.

I didn't pass - screwed up on the pulse skill; passed written test. Vincentian will let you try the test 3 times. I get a 2nd chance end of May.

Vincentian in long-term care. If you want to know more, email me at [email protected] and I will give you more details.

[djkarta51588]

Hi there,

My long term goal is to become a RN, so right now I want to take it one step at a time. I was wondering if anyone knows of any CNA or nurse aide training in Pittsburgh. Im looking at price to. So if you could help that would be great!!!!!!!!!

Djkarta

[djkarta51588]

If anyone could help me with any info on getting CNA or nurse aide training in pittsburgh, that would be great!!!!!!

[djkarta51588]

Do you know of any places for training in pittsburgh?

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

If you want to go the nursing home route..PM me I might be able to help.

All of the above posters have great info.

Djkartar...re read the above posters. If you want to pay for a class yourself, the local community colleges have one or you can try the Red Cross.

[L&D_2b]

Do you know of any places for training in pittsburgh?

UMPC Cranberry Place has CNA training just about every month. Try http://www.upmc.com and look up CNA's or nurse's aides under career opportunities. Of course, their training is free because they will hire you to work for them.

Good luck to you!

--Marci

PS. I'm in New Castle. We have some locations up here for CNA training as well. Just let me know if you need them.