I start CNA program tomorrow!

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I'm so excited!

Wisdom and advice are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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good luck!!!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

Congratulations!!!

Wisdom/Advice?

1) Always treat the residents/patients as if they were one of your family members (a family member that you LOVE that is ;) )

2) Always ask if you are not sure. You are caring for people's lives here!

3) Always give privacy and don't forget that they are human. Talk to them when giving care. Don't just rush in and start doing something to them. If someone came into your house, you would want them to tell you why they were there right?

4) Study about nutrition and pressure sore prevention/identification!!!! Both very important!!!

5) NEVER, NEVER fake a vital sign. If you do not here a blood pressure, call another cna or nurse. Do not just record every person's respirations as 18 a minute!!! Respirations are important if a patient normally breathes at 16 a minute and now they are breathing at 30 minute something could be going wrong fast!!

6) Take care of yourself. You only get one back. Use it with caution!!! Learn to use the lifts properly and ask for help when needed!!!

7) Never have a resident/patient use the bathroom on themselves just because they are wearing a brief (diaper). The brief is there for accidents. If they tell you they need to use the bathroom and you tell them to just go in the brief, that is NOT an accident...that is ABUSE!!!

8) Listen to your instructors in class and the nurses on the floor!!! There are certain reasons for doing things that you did not learn in class. There is a reason that nursing school is so hard and takes 3-4 years to complete.

9) Stay away from gossip. It is unprofessional!!!!

10) Never cut corners at the risk of injury to yourself or the patient.

11) Learn to be organized. Everyone has his/her own way of doing things. It doesn't really matter what your system is, but it is important to be organized.

12) There will be people that you do not like in class and in the real world. That is ok, learn to work with them!!! You should both be there for the patient and not each other, anyway.

13) Be prepared for long shifts, wondering if this is really what you want to do. There is nothing and I mean NOTHING in this world better than giving of yourself for the benefit of others!!!

14) When #13 happens, COME TO ALLNURSES TO VENT!!! :typing We are here for you!

15) Learn the good techniques from the experienced cna's and never reuse the "bad techniques" that save time but put you at risk for injuring the patient or not caring for them properly!!!

16) It is OK to have a bad day!!

17) Never forget why you wanted to be a cna!!! Write it down and put it on the bathroom mirror or carry it around with you in your wallet if you need to, but never forget it.

18) Have fun and keep coming back to allnurses. Tell us about your good and bad days. Support the other cna's here and get tips from those that are willing to share.

just my :twocents: or would that be 18 cents ;)

Jay

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I'm so excited!

Wisdom and advice are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Congratulations! I am two-thirds the way through my CNA course as I write this. I just passed exam #4.

My advice to you is to keep up with the reading and to practice your skills daily. Memorize all the abbreviations as they relate to time immediately.

Never complain in class, save that for this board.

Enjoy the clinicals! They are the best! Patients love the TLC they receive from the students.

Jay (above) has given you some excellent advice!

Enjoy the class!

++

Chris

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What fantastic advise....all of you! Thanks so much for taking time out to share little pearls of wisdom. Classes are going well, and I'll be sure to soak up as much info. as I can. I'm really hoping to land a hospital position since that is where I'm headed goal-wise! Well, I'll be sure to stop by often. Thanks again!

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