Calling All CNA's!

chadash · Jul 22, 2006

Whoo Hooo! a nursing assistant forum! Thanks guys!

It is great to interact with people that really know what we all go through day to day.

I have worked as a CNA for about 12 years, and did this work for "free" before that. Geriatrics seemed to be born in me.....

Have done LTC (have promised my family I will no longer do that....not much left for them at the end of a day), hospice, and home health. Lots of overlapping patients, and ten hour days. Now, I am part time with a private duty patient, who is a real gem, and I love it AND her, but bored bored bored!

Great to hear from some nursing assistants who care about what they are doing! Any of you "carreer aides"? (that is, not planning to go on to nursing?)

Irishowl · Jul 22, 2006

I have been a CNA for 6 years. The first 2 1/2 years I worked in long term sub acute care. I've been at the hospital on Telemetry for the 3 1/2 years. I only work 1 day a week as a CNA, the rest of my time is spent on the same unit as a cardiac monitor technician. I'm starting LVN school next year!

jrsimon82 · Jul 23, 2006

YEA!! A CNA FORUM!!!

I'm a first year double major(RN and Anthropology) and I will finish my CNA program in about a month. I can't wait to get some hands on experience with patients, but I am scared. I'm a little shy so I hope I can conquer my introverted fears soon. I'm really burned out at my current job($12/hr to boss 50 people around and break my back) so I look forward to the change.I hear hospitals have smaller patient loads, like how many patients per CNA?

Also, if there are any nurse aides in L&D, what do you DO! I would love to work in the mother baby unit, the hospitals here in Grand Rapids, Michigan are pretty big and the units are huge and always hiring.

chadash · Jul 23, 2006

YEA!! A CNA FORUM!!!
I'm a first year double major(RN and Anthropology) and I will finish my CNA program in about a month. I can't wait to get some hands on experience with patients, but I am scared. I'm a little shy so I hope I can conquer my introverted fears soon. I'm really burned out at my current job($12/hr to boss 50 people around and break my back) so I look forward to the change.I hear hospitals have smaller patient loads, like how many patients per CNA?
Also, if there are any nurse aides in L&D, what do you DO! I would love to work in the mother baby unit, the hospitals here in Grand Rapids, Michigan are pretty big and the units are huge and always hiring.

Good for you finishing your CNA! Wow, what an ambitious undertaking, RN and anthropology, and working as a CNA.....What are your plans for the two majors, how do you envision utilizing them together?

The CNA work will get you over your introversion. Well, actually, is introversion something to get over? What I mean is: you will get more comfortable with patient interaction. Be yourself. I find shy people quite endearing.

jrsimon82 · Jul 23, 2006

I plan to get my masters in one of the two areas and do research at a university. I would also like an adjunct faculty role later. I would enjoy teaching nursing students at the community college level, or nurse aides.I have a heart condition so I don't anticipate working in the hospital environment for more than 10 or 15 years. But I do enjoy a challenge, so for now I will work there! I have many passions and I want to be well educated. I plan on homeschooling our future children and I want to have something to offer them besides nursing. I'm an only child who has always been introverted, I do see it as a pitfall because I would rather read a book than talk on the phone. My family and friends always complain I don't call often!I just hope I can warm up to the patients easily after awhile.

deleern · Jul 23, 2006

Thanks for starting the cna forum. I'm working as a cna while I wait to start nursing school next year. I love/hate it. It gets better each week. I don't plan to stay there more than a few months, just to get some experience.
Hospital work would have been more relevant but for a total newbie this is a good start.
I worry a lot about injuring my back doing this!
Welcome to all the cna's.
:balloons:
Tofutti

be very Conscience of Body mechanics and don't be afraid to ask for help. the facility does not want you to injure you back either I started at 45 and now i work in the same facilility as an LPN. (while i fininsh my RN)

CJolin · Jul 23, 2006

I am a resident assisitant for a whole 3 days now. I am taking my CNA class a month from now. That will get me a whole $0.25 more in pay once I am done and certified. I am not sure if I like my job or not. It has only been 3 days, so I have time to figure it out. I am excited that there is a CNA forum on allnurses. Thanks Admin!

Cari

platinum_garb · Jul 25, 2006

hello! I am Georgia and I am a CNA who has not yet worked as a CNA officially. I got my certification because it was required for the nursing program. I am beginning my classes in just less than a month starting with LPN and bridging to RN.

I was accepted into both programs but decided to start with the LPN since I don't have a longtime healthcare background to rely on. I just went back to college this spring for the first time in six years (yay!) and I have so many questions regarding what to expect, so I really appreciate the allnurses forums!

Lil123 · Jul 25, 2006

Alright!! This is great!! I've been a CNA since last DEC. I work in HH. That has it's own unique challenges.

Sunny99 · Jul 26, 2006

Thanks for adding the CNA forum! I recently started working as a patient care assistant (not certified) at a hospital, and start nursing school in a few weeks. I love working with patients!!! However, I am still quite nervous sometimes. This is my first job in direct healthcare.

I hope I can get some good advice from experienced CNA's on how to handle various situations. The CNAs and nurses at my hospital have been wonderful, but it always helps to get several views, since everyone does things a little bit differently.

GraceNotes · Jul 30, 2006

I worry about back injury, also. It's not always possible to get help when I need it. At what point can I expect the "experienced" help to stop rolling their eyes every time I ask for help? I've been working as a LTC CNA for a month now, only 2-3 evenings a week. I'd rather be at a hospital, too. I'm only getting discouraged where I'm working (not inspiration). I enjoy working with the residents and the nurses are friendly enough, but the assistant staff is another story.

jb2u, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2006

hello and welcome to all the cna's that have posted thus far!

:welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome:

this is a great site that welcomes and realizes the importance of cna's to the nursing field. your input is very important!

i have only one request...please introduce yourself , but refrain from asking any questions on this thread. if you have a question, i ask that you just start another thread with your question. this allows this thread to remain a running thread of introductions instead of a series of breaks for questions. i appreciate everyone's help with this.

thanks again and welcome all!

sincerely,

jay