Got a job!

Nurses General Nursing

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Well,

I got a call today for my first CNA job! I start Monday!

It doesn't pay a whole lot and I know it's going to be tough work BUT I'm actually very happy.... and nervous! I'm happy cause I know this is just the beginning... three years from now I'll look back on this time as the start of my "new life". You know, the life when I actually have a dream (to be a nurse) and go after it no matter how difficult it may be.

But, I'm nervous... at clinicals the most residents I was assigned to was two and someone was always around checking up on me. So PLEASE say a prayer for me.

I am also going to be working nights for the first time in my life... Anyone out there work nights in LTC? What should I expect? Does anyone have any advice for working nights at all? I really hope I'll be able to adjust... Well, its late and I just wanted to check in. I hope everyone had a nice Christmas!

Sharon

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Just stopped by to say CONGRATULATIONS!!! :)

sorry --can't offer any advice, but I will say that I think you'll be a wonderful CNA and then someday and wonderful nurse as well

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

The first job is special isn't it. Look around and decide who you want to emulate the use them as a role model/mentor. I actually physically enjoyed nights more than days, but I also liked all the action that happens on days. :)

Congratulations upon starting the trip to becoming a nruse.

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good advice from P_RN.

Congradulations on the Job!

mkue:)

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I WORK NITES AT A LTC FACILTY, AND IF YOU ARE AS LUCKY AS I AM THEN YOU WILL DO GREAT.....FOR SOME REASON (I AM NOT COMPLAINING) THE NIGHT CREW ALWAYS WORK TOGETHER NURSES AND AIDES ALIKE............MY AIDES WORK WONDERS, I WOULD BE LOST WITHOUT THEM........THEY ARE MY RIGHT HAND MOST OF THE TIME...........I HAVE WORKED A FEW DAY SHIFTS, AND LET ME SAY.....I WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN.....THE AIDES DO NOT KNOW THE MEANING OF TEAM WORK.....THE NURSES LOVE TO SEE SH!T BLOW UP IN YOUR FACE AND/OR SEE YOU RUN BEHIND WITH YOUR MED PASS........ALL I CAN SAY IS CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING THIS JOB......LEARN ALL YOU CAN, AND GOOD LUCK :)

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As you take more patients, you will be able to multi-task and prioritize needs appropriately. I was a CNA before starting nursing school, so I was really bored with only having one or two patients! I'd have them up and showered by 6:30 while others were having problems just getting one up before 8.

You should have training at your facility for at least 2 weeks. That way you can get to know a lot of the patients (what they're REALLY like and what they need or like) before you're expected to do it alone.

You're going to do fine!

Kristy

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Congratulations and good luck to you!!!

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Specializes in ICU.

congrats and good luck!!!!

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congrats, i'm very excitied for you!!! wishing you the best.

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Thanks for all the positive responses. I am really looking forward to it. Honestly at first I thought I didn't want to work in a LTC facility(it makes me sad)... but my instructor whom I really respect told me that since I was going into nursing a Nursing Home is a great place to start. She said the I(all students) need to learn to hone our assesment skills, this she said takes practice and comes easier when you get to know your patients. In the acute setting you don't get the same patient(s) for very long, sometimes not even more than once. So, following my instinct and the need for $ to buy my chem and anatomy books I applied on Tuesday I actually took a written test and interviewd the same day too.

Jayne, if you don't me asking what are typical CNA responsiblities on night shift? I know how to get someone up and showered and ready for the day, to help with activities and help pass trays at lunch. The CNA's I trained with had about 8 residents each. Honestly, what should I expect? My hours are 11pm to 7 am.

Thanks Again!

Sharon

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Congratulations about your new job. In the past I had worked nights in a long-term care facility and you have asked what to expect. Where I had worked, there were usually three of us as staff and I was the RN in charge. After report from evening staff, we would go on rounds, working together, turning patients, doing skin care, several dressings, some vital signs. We made three rounds during the night. When a patient passed away, we would prepare the deceased. Sometimes a patient had a special request for assistance making an early morning phone call to a friend for a few minutes. Every night was different, depending on what was occurring with each patient. Some of the patients had had strokes and could not verbally express their needs. Of course there's more, but that's a bit of what we did. I always felt that the patients were well-cared for there. Hope that's some help and good luck with your new job.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Best of luck to you! Hope it is what you wish it to be!

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