CNA's, Interview help & Pocket PC's

Wow..ok..I can see that you have a lot jumbling around in your head right now...BREATHE! LOL! That's the first thing you need to do; you have a lot of things you need to get done so, best thing to do is separate it all out and tackle one thing at a time so it's not so intimidating.

I'm going to do my best at this...I don't have all the answers for you but, here's my best suggestions based on my experience with CNA school (which I'm about two weeks away from finishing) and my background in human resources. Yes, this will be long.....

Yes...a CNA cares for those who have difficulty with carrying out their own ADL's (get familiar with that term: activities of daily living), which may include: bathing, toileting, mobility, feeding, grooming, etc. But, there are also underlying responsiblities that you will have to take care of based on complying with resident/patient rights..privacy, dignity, infection control, and just really caring about other people and their wellbeing. (Don't worry, this is all covered in the class!) Some of your residents may know no other family BUT the facility staff..it'll be up to you to provide what you can of love and tenderness while still maintaining professionalism. You may also have to deal with family members and their various emotions regarding their loved one being in "a home"; there will be people who are unpleasant and people that are very sick, you may also have some that really don't need a whole lot of help, etc...a VERY wide variety of individuals will cross your path during your tenure as a CNA and you will be put in a number of very intimidating situations at times; however, the pay off is that, when you give proper care and go the extra mile to make someone comfortable, clean, happy, and content, you can see it in their faces and it is soooo rewarding. It's a job that you have to have a strong gut and soft heart for.

With that being said...

I am taking my CNA class in Florida; the pre-entry screening sounds about the same as my place except for my school being sponsored and run by ONE facility and that's it. They take care of everything as long as I give them a year. You have a decision to make about the facility; my suggestion is to DO YOUR RESEARCH..there are great facilities out there and there are BAD facilities out there...check into their survey records (usually they can be found online)...see if the place is clean, staffed properly, low occurance of accidents, pressure ulcers, violations, and so forth. You have to give them 6 months, I'd hate to see you become a new CNA and then get hurt or discouraged about the job because the facility is dangerous and filthy. Those residents need care too but, you may not want to make an attempt at changing the world at the "harder" facilities until you learn the job and get comfortable with it after some time. Don't just take "the tour" because you will see what they market to the families..actually try to take some time to chit chat with some staff maybe outside by the smoking area or something where you can get a real idea about how things are run there. Ask about the level of acuity they accept at the facility...are the residents extremely dependent and/or ill or is a good mix of moderately independent people in there too? Are there a lot of residents hooked up to tubs, IV's and just bed bound? Pay attention to smell...the atmosphere of the place...you will just "know" when you walk into a place and the residents are down and miserable opposed to bright, active, and happy for the most part. Does it look like residents are getting help with feeding or are they just sitting there staring at an untouched plate and being ignored...how long is it taking staff to answer call lights? Does the staff look happy or is everyone walking around like they are so miserable they could die? Are they interracting with the residents and keeping things as lively as possible? Where are the staff members..are they all around a table in the dining room chit-chatting or is there a sense of people buzzing around keeping busy? Think about the place as if you were getting ready to put your favorite elderly relative in it. Ask what their staffing policies are, especially resident/patient to CNA ratio..find out what is the law for your state above and beyond that what the other CNA's feel to be acceptable. Take the tour, pay attention to these things and then see if something can be done to get you to see the facility without an long standing appointment...give them a call and say that you are making the final decision between two places and you'd like to take a look just one more time because you looked at so many and you are just jumbled as to which place had what...ask is there someone who can take you around tomorrow afternoon so you can let the program know by the day after what your choice is...Catch them off guard, if possible so that you can see what goes on when a visitor they are trying to impress wants to stop by on short notice. Warning: do not try this during shift change hours or feeding times..that won't go over well. You may even be able to just talk to the front desk and see if they have a policy for just "visitor"...explain the situation..you are thinking about working there...what would you have to do do just have a visitor badge made for about a 1/2 hour or so? You may be surprised at how leinent they are about letting you in (that COULD be a BAD sign too!)

When it comes to the uniform..yes, white scrubs are usually the standard...pockets, pockets, pockets..get the stops and pants that have as many pockets as possible..you'll be stuffing all sorts of things in them....pens, marker, alcohol wipes, papers, etc...White undies...um...I found that the better kind are the color of your skin..bra included..white undergarments will show up really really bright under your clothes..it's a little weird so, go with your skin tone so it all blends in...leaves less for people to "stare" at too..LOL!

I'm a little surprised that they are having your perform your own background screening and such. That's a little awkward to me seeing as though that is sooo important and these days anyone can falsify anything with a little electronic editing but, if that's what they want...the other items on the list..yep..just gotta get them done...TB test, immunizations, ect. Check with your local health department, sometimes they will do these tests and shots for a lot cheaper than a family doctor. They kind of "expect" health professionals to need them on a regular basis so, give them a call..they won't think you are out of your mind.

As far as the application questions go...be honest...WHY do you really want to be a CNA? There's a very specific reason for asking this question. You are going to be assisting very vulernable individuals and it takes a real special person with a specific personality to be able to handle it. The job is much more than just knowing how to get through the skills. Really sit down do some soul searching to answer this question.

The other questions are really along the same lines. Maybe ask a few close friends or family members how they would describe you and go from there. Use examples to reiterrate what you write: For example, if you have room on the paper, you say that you handle stress really well. (OK..good start but, that doesn't TELL them anything.) Let them know that you babysat 4 kids for a working mother when you were 17 years old while still keeping up good grades in school and working a part time job..when you got stressed you read a book, took a 5 minute breather, asked for help, etc, etc, etc...Catch my drift? Use a true-life sitation of your own that you can use as a specific example of you dealing with stress and how you got through it. It'll be more sincere to them (and it'll show you put thought into your answer).

For the interview...dress nicely. Business casual. You don't have to go all out and buy a skirt suit and what not but, do wear something appropriate. Keep the colors neutural; navy is always good - dignified color. Don't wear any denim material. A nice skirt and blouse or dress outfit is just as good as maybe a pair of slacks (no khaki cargo pants) and a blouse. You can find a cute outfit for cheap at Wally World for goodness sakes...some little coordinating get-up that looks smart and professional will do just find. Wear stockings or hose if you are exposing your legs and you should invest in a pair of dress shoes; again, these don't have to cost a lot...they don't even have to be real leather..just find something that fits and matches your outfit appropriately...avoid the 5 inch heals..healthcare facilities usually frown upon open toes shoes too so, no strappy sandles. Skirts should be kept to knee length...Keep hair style simple, moderate jewelry for the interview is fine...if you polish your nails, pick a simple, neutral color..no orange or hot pink that day. You don't want do do anything that will make you stand out in a crowd. Keep patterns simple..no huge flowers on the dress or prints that make eyes cross! LOL! It won't last long..it may not be your "style" but, right now that's not the important part, it's impressing whoever is behind the desk asking the questions. Turn off the cell phone; leave friends at home; bring a pen; have a copy of everything with you...one for the interviewer and a spare for you that you can refer to when they ask you a question about something your documentation. You will be nervous... have the information avail because even if you "know" the answer...you may stumble when put in the interview situation. Yep, for the interview, cover the tattoos to the best of your ability; however, if they are located in a place that will eventually be noticable (wrist; forearm, etc...), ask politely about the failities policy..they will eventually find out you have them..they may not care, they may have you cover them, just find out what they expect by letting them know ahead of time so you aren't put on the spot later for showing them if you aren't supposed to. Last but not least, ARRIVE ON TIME for the interview...about 10 minutes before is proper...not too early so the person feels they have to rush to get to you and not any later because their watch may be a little fast and they may think you are late when you are there a few mins early by your clock.

References, that's a tough one...usually references aren't supposed to be coworkers, old bosses, friends, or relatives. Think hard...do you have anyone in the community that has known you for a while..maybe someone down the street in your neighborhood that you've helped around the house because they were in need of an extra hand at times? Did you ever babysit for someone? Um...track down some old teachers...they may remember you...even if you have to email them initially, get them hooked. Did you ever volunteer; find someone who ran the volunteer program or worked for the company you volunteered for..(not "technically" a coworker since you weren't an employee)? Do you beling to any community service clubs or special interest clubs? You will have to dig deep but, the important thing is: YES, they have to know - THEY WILL BE CALLED more likely than not so, don't let your facility call someone and they answer the question by saying "who? I don't remember her? reference? what do you want me to say?" Let the person know ahead of time that they are a reference - GET THEIR PERMISSION - make sure they are someone who "likes" you. (Yes, I emphasize this because, it happens ALL time - people will pick just anyone for a reference and the person either has no idea who is being asked about OR they really didn't like the person and end up giving "bad" reports OR even worse, they get you mixed up with someone else they didn't like and give that report) emphasize to your potential reference who you are, ask, let them know who will be calling them (at least give the facility/agency name if you don't know the person) get their proper, correct phone numbers and addresses - references are no good if you can't reach the person.

You can use references through the years; however, use a little common sense..you will have to again, ask permission..remind them about who you are, update their contact information, warn them about who will be calling them, when and why, etc... and make sure it is appropriate for the job you are looking for and the "time in your life". For instance, don't use the lady you babysat for by the time her kids are in their 30's!!!! Especially if you lost touch with her 5 years ago and just found her name again in the white pages. She won't "know" you anymore. If you are needing a reference just a couple months later...same deal...you probably can use the same ones..just permission, update, etc...things and people can change overnight. Avoid an embarrasing situation.

Well..I'm going to stop here for now! I'm sorry that this took so long; however, I wanted to make sure I touched on as much of your questions as possible. I hope you find my information helpful. Let me know if there are any other questions you'd like me to tackle! LOL!

well thank you so much for all the help.

as for references and do i know anyone other than co-workers/boses and family - no. honestly no one. i have two friends who i don't work with. lots of family who don't *other than imediate* know me very well. only one or two co-workers who are reputible, and 4 managers that i was hoping they could write the papers. excuse the sob story: i kind of screwed up my life 5 years ago when my mother died and stoped doing voulunteer work and paying attention in school and such. i basically became a hermit. then after that i got stuck in an abusive relationship for 2 years and basically wasn't aloud to go out other than work. i didn't get out of that and come out of my shell and take charge of my life until about a year and a half ago. as for the co-workers, i work in a restuarant where most everybody is a slacker/druggie - so i obviously don't want them representing me. don't get me wrong, they're fun to talk to and all, but i need a professional refference.

~michelle

Did you have any counselors that you worked with when you got out of your abusive relationship or maybe when your mother passed? You don't have to tell the hiring place in what way you know them or how they helped you but, they are professionals that can attest that you are a good person and you would be good for the job. If you absolutely HAVE to...I guess put the friends down...but, only if they've known you for at least two years or so..don't just put someone you started hanging out with 6 months ago. Make sure that if they are listed that they can give some sort of personal accounts and stories to back up what they say about you. Saying that you and her pulled off the side of the highway one day to help someone fix a flat tire in a rainstorm and followed them to a gas station,etc..sounds better than "oh, she's a good person..I just know it." Try to pick a friend that would be able to tell a TRUTHFUL story about what a wonderful person you are. A counselor or confidant woult be my first choice; however. Just explain the situation..they would know how to be discreet...for all the hiring place needs to know, they could just be a neighbor with a good certification. You don't have to disclose your personal business...they can't really ask about it either unless you invite it.

i had lots of therapists througout the course of about a year and a halfl, from personal ones, to family ones, to an at home one, to mental hospital ones and such, none of which names are worth remembering let a long how to contact them, and during those times i don't think they would have anything all too positive to say about me anyway. i'm thinking the only way i can get even one written refference is from one of my old bosses. i have nothing else. this is getting so frustrating. i don't want the only reason i couldn't get into a cna class was becuase i didn't know anybody who could write me a refference.

thanks again for the help and suggestions

~michelle