This thread is for those of us who are enrolled in a CNA course right now, and/OR will be certified between March and April. Here is where we rant, network, and/or brag about the way our course (s) are going, our experiences finding a job after our course/internship is completed, and what our plans are for the future (Nursing school, etc.).
We started this topic in another thread, lets keep this going! :heartbeat
Here is a little YouTube humor for all of us potential CNA's. A typical day in the life of a Certified Nursing Assistant:
Each person has their own skill level and learning abilities. Also, for most people (at least in my class) this is the first class they've taken in a very long time so it is challenging. When you aren't used to learning and studying, it doesn't come as naturally as it does to those of us that have been in school.
Didn't happen to be a Sunrise Senior Living facility, hmm?
No its not but I know there are plenty of those facilities around here. I was thinking of applying to one of them but idk yet.
Each person has their own skill level and learning abilities. Also, for most people (at least in my class) this is the first class they've taken in a very long time so it is challenging. When you aren't used to learning and studying, it doesn't come as naturally as it does to those of us that have been in school.
I agree. I thought the information was easy but I struggled with a few of my skills. Also the majority of my class are from other countries so its harder for them because they are just geting used to everything in this country. I think they'll be fine though after awhile.
Well anyways we toured the facility again today. We went to the dementia unit. They had half doors (sort of like the ones you see in a barn) so they can look in on the residents but most of them weren't in the rooms anyways. Some were playing bingo, most of them were parked in front of the tv, and some were by off to themselves. We talked to them but most didn't respond. The few who did were very nice though. We toured some more of the facility like the bank, the hair salon & the store. The lady who worked in the store was a former Nursing instructor :) On Monday we'll start going all day so I hope things goes alright.
I don't understand the purpose of this post. It does not share any helpful information nor does it provide benchmarks to compare against. This is simply a post to brag that one is "above" this type of class - if you have nothing useful to say - it is often better to say nothing at all! I am very offended by this post! I don't understand the insecurity that must exist within oneself to need to place this post! Just my two cents!
I don't understand the purpose of this post. It does not share any helpful information nor does it provide benchmarks to compare against. This is simply a post to brag that one is "above" this type of class - if you have nothing useful to say - it is often better to say nothing at all! I am very offended by this post! I don't understand the insecurity that must exist within oneself to need to place this post! Just my two cents!
I was more so worried about the quality of my program (long established aside). I was trying to find out if all nurse aid programs are that easy, or if I received a sub par education. I have not yet taken the state test to see how well my program prepared me for that.
I am also curious as to how many people who pursue the CNA/STNA route are doing it for a career, or as a stepping stone to a LPN or RN program? For me, it is a stepping stone to become a RN.
Finally, I apologize if I came off rude. That was not my intent. I forget sometimes that things can come off very wrong over the Internet, especially when talking to strangers.
No its not but I know there are plenty of those facilities around here. I was thinking of applying to one of them but idk yet.
Based on my experience, I'd recommend it. I just finished up my first week at a Sunrise facility.. my first job as a CNA. It seemed to be less physically taxing than my clinicals that were in a nursing home, and the residents receive good care. I work in the alzheimer's/dementia wing, and most of the resident's are responsive. They all have different levels of awareness. I sort of wish that they'd remember me better, but it's nice to be able to have a fresh start every day. Today, Kathy* didn't remember that I was that girl who helped with her shower yesterday. (She hates showers!)
Anyway, I love it. The other CNAs are all nice and helpful and happy to be there. I'm assigned to the same team of 8 residents every day, but everyone helps with everyone. Usually I have time to do a puzzle or read to one of the residents, or just sit with them and chat. I've left with a smile on my face every day (even though my feet do hurt!)
Based on my experience, I'd recommend it. I just finished up my first week at a Sunrise facility.. my first job as a CNA. It seemed to be less physically taxing than my clinicals that were in a nursing home, and the residents receive good care. I work in the alzheimer's/dementia wing, and most of the resident's are responsive. They all have different levels of awareness. I sort of wish that they'd remember me better, but it's nice to be able to have a fresh start every day. Today, Kathy* didn't remember that I was that girl who helped with her shower yesterday. (She hates showers!)
Anyway, I love it. The other CNAs are all nice and helpful and happy to be there. I'm assigned to the same team of 8 residents every day, but everyone helps with everyone. Usually I have time to do a puzzle or read to one of the residents, or just sit with them and chat. I've left with a smile on my face every day (even though my feet do hurt!)
*named changed
That sounds great! Well if there are no openings at the facility we are at now, I'll definitely look at Sunrise. I've heard nice things about them so I think it will be a good place to work. Did they have you undergo an orientation & shadow another CNA before you started?
I had a 3 hour "community introduction" class Monday evening, then technically 4 days of training. The first day I pretty much just shadowed, but it's all pretty easy that I felt comfortable helping with a few tasks by the second day. Then more on the third. Then today I just went right in and starting doing things I knew needed to be done, without even really asking what to do or anything. I blended right in
They're all pretty understanding, though. Yesterday when I was following the CNA who has the same team of residents that I do.. I was helping get them up and ready for breakfast. She asked if I wanted to do Bill*'s shower or just watch, and since I hadn't seen a shower in that facility, or his specifically, I told her I'd rather just watch first. And she happily did it. This morning, when I went in, I started getting my team up and did Bill*'s shower without any help or supervision. (Bill*'s family wants him to be showered every morning, to follow his morning routine when he was home. So he is. Most residents are 1-2x/week. He's pretty easy. Just a lot of repeated verbal cues with minimal assistance.)
Another cool thing there is that they really want us to get to know our residents. I've spent 3 hours this week just studying my team's careplans and backgrounds. I know what profession they worked in, past hobbies and interests, food likes and dislikes, religion, family, etc.. as well as anything special about their care.
I had a 3 hour "community introduction" class Monday evening, then technically 4 days of training. The first day I pretty much just shadowed, but it's all pretty easy that I felt comfortable helping with a few tasks by the second day. Then more on the third. Then today I just went right in and starting doing things I knew needed to be done, without even really asking what to do or anything. I blended right in
They're all pretty understanding, though. Yesterday when I was following the CNA who has the same team of residents that I do.. I was helping get them up and ready for breakfast. She asked if I wanted to do Bill*'s shower or just watch, and since I hadn't seen a shower in that facility, or his specifically, I told her I'd rather just watch first. And she happily did it. This morning, when I went in, I started getting my team up and did Bill*'s shower without any help or supervision. (Bill*'s family wants him to be showered every morning, to follow his morning routine when he was home. So he is. Most residents are 1-2x/week. He's pretty easy. Just a lot of repeated verbal cues with minimal assistance.)
Another cool thing there is that they really want us to get to know our residents. I've spent 3 hours this week just studying my team's careplans and backgrounds. I know what profession they worked in, past hobbies and interests, food likes and dislikes, religion, family, etc.. as well as anything special about their care.
Sounds great! I hope you like it How many CNA's are there each shift? At the NH we're at for clincals, there's 5, one for each team.
Congrats everyone I just finished my clinical and will pick up my certificate on Wednesday I just wanted to say that youtube can be a very useful tool as it has helped me pass my checkoffs if you go to jtduncan54 and subscribe to her videos on youtube it will help you to pass they are for a school in north carolina and are very informative. The LTC that we did our clinicals offered us all jobs after I live in Georgia but was born in NY. PPE is pretty easy but making an occupied bed is kinda tricky but with practice I'm sure you'll be a pro in no time
I had a 3 hour "community introduction" class Monday evening, then technically 4 days of training. The first day I pretty much just shadowed, but it's all pretty easy that I felt comfortable helping with a few tasks by the second day. Then more on the third. Then today I just went right in and starting doing things I knew needed to be done, without even really asking what to do or anything. I blended right in
They're all pretty understanding, though. Yesterday when I was following the CNA who has the same team of residents that I do.. I was helping get them up and ready for breakfast. She asked if I wanted to do Bill*'s shower or just watch, and since I hadn't seen a shower in that facility, or his specifically, I told her I'd rather just watch first. And she happily did it. This morning, when I went in, I started getting my team up and did Bill*'s shower without any help or supervision. (Bill*'s family wants him to be showered every morning, to follow his morning routine when he was home. So he is. Most residents are 1-2x/week. He's pretty easy. Just a lot of repeated verbal cues with minimal assistance.)
Another cool thing there is that they really want us to get to know our residents. I've spent 3 hours this week just studying my team's careplans and backgrounds. I know what profession they worked in, past hobbies and interests, food likes and dislikes, religion, family, etc.. as well as anything special about their care.
WOW!! It sounds like you're very lucky to be working there. I've read plenty of horror stories on this board about crappy LTCs and it kinda has me nervous about when I start working as a CNA. Where are you located? I'll have to keep Sunrise in mind when the time comes for me to start looking for work.
The practical part was so-so. The worst part was waiting.... I got very nervous and got too worked up while I waited, and by the time I went into the room I was shaking. Our examiner was very nice and knew I was nervous, she talked for a few minutes and made a joke, I think trying to calm me down. My 3 skills were: Dressing, ROM-lower extremity, and Vital Signs, so I was happy with those. The only thing I am worried about is I mixed up Ms. Jones (our name for the dummy/volunteer) R and L.... she had R arm weakness and I dressed her L arm first. I'm hoping this is not an automatic fail, and that I just lost points.... does anyone know??
So now I'll be waiting for the mail every day and keeping my fingers crossed.... wish me luck!!
So my advice is: stay calm and confident, and study the easy skills as much as you study the hard ones!!
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How many CNA's are there each shift? At the NH we're at for clincals, there's 5, one for each team.
dee78
550 Posts
Each person has their own skill level and learning abilities. Also, for most people (at least in my class) this is the first class they've taken in a very long time so it is challenging. When you aren't used to learning and studying, it doesn't come as naturally as it does to those of us that have been in school.