I lasted 5 days..

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I landed my first CNA job at a skilled nursing facility. .. man ohh man.. I lasted 5 days and 3 days was orientation. .. I did 2 7 to 3 and 3 11pm to 7am but the end of that of that morning I was like I quit. I have never walked out on a job but this place was horrible! The CNA were super lazy and since I was new they pretty much had me do it all while they slept. The tip of the burg was when a big old roach came crawling out a patient's bed while I was Changing the sheets. I'm terrified of bugs. I laterally stopped right there and told them this.place wasn't for me.... I'm currently working per diem with a agency now until I can land something else.. I discovered LTC, rehabs and skilled nursing isn't for me AS A CNA. Who knows how it would be as a LPN. But I'm gonna try my luck and try and get in as a PCT at a hospital. Any pointers in getting in as a PCT?

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Specializes in hospice.

What makes you think the hospital will be better? Maybe no roaches (or maybe yes), but understaffed and unhelpful co-workers.....been there, done that, burned the t-shirt.

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Specializes in Long term care.

I hate to say it, but most hospitals want 6 months of LTC experience before hiring.

You may have more luck after some nursing school.

Not all nursing homes are so horrible. I'm sorry you had such a bad first experience.

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Well I understand that the PLACE might not be for you. Especially if I am understanding you right and you had to work a double shift 3pm-11pm shift and then making you work the overnight and working the 11pm shift to the 7am shift. That is really hard on you when you put in 16 hours, and then being a brand new CNA.

BUT don't write off all LTC, Rehab, and skilled facilites. Especially if you want that LPN job it will do you good to work in these areas. Not all of them are like this place. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

I would say you would definetly have to be lucky getting a PCT job in a hospital when you are a brand new CNA and only worked in 1 place for 5 days. PCT/CNA hospital jobs are very coveted and many times they give them to nursing students which you are one so you do have that going for you as aplus. But many also want those that have around a year experiance being a CNA before they would consider you.

I am afraid they may not look at your resume with great intrest when they see you only worked 5 days, even if you quiting was ligit. Might be a red flag for them. My advise look around for a better place and work there for at least 6 months to a year then your resume will look better. You CAN try for that PCT and you never know you may get lucky. But I also in the mean time would not put all your eggs in that basket and try to look somewhere else also.

Were the other CNAs REALLY sleeping or are you exaggerating just a tad on their laziness.

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Specializes in hospice.

PCT usually entails EKG and phlebotomy skills, some even do straight caths and minor suturing in the ED. These are skills a CNA doesn't have without extra training. That said, some hospitals do hire CNAs, so it can't hurt to try.

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Well I guess I should of mentioned I'm a LPN student. Im here in florida and for some odd reason the.lines for a CNA and a PCT are thin. Yes I didn't have a bad experience I had a private duty shift today at a facility and it was awesome. I will probably stick with agencies as I only have to care for 1 client at a time. Maybe until I get into the swing of things. I was simply venting to yall.....

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I did notice that you were a student, and that is why I said that is a plus for you if you are trying to aquire a PCT job. But I also wanted you to understand that you being a student is not necissarly a golden ticket into the hospital either, and that I was just stating that I was concerned at how it will look to the hospital when they see you worked somewhere for only 5 days.

I don't have exact numbers, but many people will put in their apps for a PCT job. There could be 100 or more apps for one posting if it is a busy hospital.

I am a CNA that works for A Home Care agency and I as well do love it for the most part. If your happy then stick with the agency. Though you can also get a second job as well and still work for the agency. That is what is so wonderful about these agencies that many times you can pick and choose how much or little you work for them and they are usually fine with it. Just remember not to spread yourself too thin because you have school, sleep, and perhaps some sort of social life to cram in your time as well.

I wish you luck and hope you find the best for you. There are all sorts of things you can be doing with you CNA you just have to find that perfect niche that is right for you

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Specializes in Psych.

I don't know how it is in Florida but here in San Diego after your first semester as a nursing student there are a couple of hospitals that will take you as a PCT. You might want to look at per diem or part time positions at local hospitals and see if they do the same there.

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Specializes in None yet..

Hey, roaches are NOT a standard feature of LTC!

Hospitals in my area don't consider new CNAs; they usually want a year of experience (and once or twice I saw six months) before you can even apply and they often prefer someone with additional skills. Not that you shouldn't try, just don't give on LTC as a way to pay your dues to get in the door at a hospital if a miracle doesn't happen along the way.

You were very, very smart to make a quick exit from your house of horrors.

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Hey, roaches are NOT a standard feature of LTC!

Hospitals in my area don't consider new CNAs; they usually want a year of experience (and once or twice I saw six months) before you can even apply and they often prefer someone with additional skills. Not that you shouldn't try, just don't give on LTC as a way to pay your dues to get in the door at a hospital if a miracle doesn't happen along the way.

You were very, very smart to make a quick exit from your house of horrors.

What additional skills can a CNA get to be more marketable?

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Specializes in nursing education.

While they SLEPT?

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While they SLEPT?

I just hosted him out of bed and turned to change the sheets and it came out. I screamed !!!

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