Is there a spot for CNA's on this forum?

I DO THINK EVERYONE HAS AN IMPORTANT JOB IN THE CARE OF THE SICK..BE IT A NURSE CNA, OT ,OR PT..WE ALL ARE IMPORTANT IN THE CARE OF THE SICK. WE ALL HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL SOME LONGER THAN OTHERS..SOME LEARN MORE ..IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE FIELD YOU CHOOSE.

IT TAKES A SPECIAL PERSON TO WORK IN ALL FEILDS OF HEALTH CARE.

GOD PUTS US WHERE HE WANTS US.

GOD BLESS

:balloons:

Hey all,

I need some job advice...I am a certified CNA in the Orlando area and I cannot seem to find a CNA/PCT job w/ the hospitals I don't have any experience and I can't get any if i don't get a job. Unfortunately the nursing homes are not an option for me I did my clinical rotations there and was very upset and dissapointed w/ the nursing homes...also them seem to pay less than the hospitals and seem to work there CNA's even more. I am well aware that PCT/CNA's don't get paid very much but i still have bills to pay just like everyone else. i guess I am trying to ask...What else can I do to get a job? applied several time to ORMC & Fl. Hosp. still no word...left message w/ HR...still no word. I am getting very discouraged because I spent very good money on the CNA course...Have I wasted my time and money?

help

Coco:stone

I DO THINK EVERYONE HAS AN IMPORTANT JOB IN THE CARE OF THE SICK..BE IT A NURSE CNA, OT ,OR PT..WE ALL ARE IMPORTANT IN THE CARE OF THE SICK. WE ALL HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL SOME LONGER THAN OTHERS..SOME LEARN MORE ..IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE FIELD YOU CHOOSE.

IT TAKES A SPECIAL PERSON TO WORK IN ALL FEILDS OF HEALTH CARE.

GOD PUTS US WHERE HE WANTS US.

GOD BLESS

:balloons:

You're quite right, but in drawing a distinction between nurse and CNA, no one means to put the CNA down. It's just like a Physician Assistant calling herself a doctor. The two roles aren't the same and shouldn't be confused. I really doubt there are any nurses here who would begin to suggest that an aide wasn't a valuable part of the nursing team. Caring, competent aides save lives--and not just patients' lives!

Hey all,

I need some job advice...I am a certified CNA in the Orlando area and I cannot seem to find a CNA/PCT job w/ the hospitals I don't have any experience and I can't get any if i don't get a job. Unfortunately the nursing homes are not an option for me I did my clinical rotations there and was very upset and dissapointed w/ the nursing homes...also them seem to pay less than the hospitals and seem to work there CNA's even more. I am well aware that PCT/CNA's don't get paid very much but i still have bills to pay just like everyone else. i guess I am trying to ask...What else can I do to get a job? applied several time to ORMC & Fl. Hosp. still no word...left message w/ HR...still no word. I am getting very discouraged because I spent very good money on the CNA course...Have I wasted my time and money?

help

Coco:stone

Cococure,

same thing happened to me. About 4 months after I completed my CNA and PCT course I got a job in a hospital. It took that long!! If you need money and experience soon, I recommend trying home health aide. You won't learn as many skills as in a hospital but it will get you some experience and the pay is about the same as cna (at least it is in GA). Its mostly baths, ADLs, vitals, and could even involve a little cooking/cleaning. But you'll get exposure to caring for patients and their care plans. In addition, try going through an agency for private duty. They hire CNAs, and you work for the "agency" and your sent to see one patient at a nursing home, one patient in their own home etc. etc. depending on the assignment. I got an offer once for full time employment in a hospice through an agency as a CNA. Just something to consider :)

Cococure,

same thing happened to me. About 4 months after I completed my CNA and PCT course I got a job in a hospital. It took that long!! If you need money and experience soon, I recommend trying home health aide. You won't learn as many skills as in a hospital but it will get you some experience and the pay is about the same as cna (at least it is in GA). Its mostly baths, ADLs, vitals, and could even involve a little cooking/cleaning. But you'll get exposure to caring for patients and their care plans. In addition, try going through an agency for private duty. They hire CNAs, and you work for the "agency" and your sent to see one patient at a nursing home, one patient in their own home etc. etc. depending on the assignment. I got an offer once for full time employment in a hospice through an agency as a CNA. Just something to consider :)

Thanks for your advice Sheri...it really helped. i will just have to wait and I will call the Agencies to see if they are hiring for a HHA. Also i see u are from Dunwoody I use to live in Roswell GA until last year when I moved down to FL and decided to pursue a being a RN.

Well thx again and good luck to you

Coco:rolleyes:

Cococure,

same thing happened to me. About 4 months after I completed my CNA and PCT course I got a job in a hospital. It took that long!! If you need money and experience soon, I recommend trying home health aide. You won't learn as many skills as in a hospital but it will get you some experience and the pay is about the same as cna (at least it is in GA). Its mostly baths, ADLs, vitals, and could even involve a little cooking/cleaning. But you'll get exposure to caring for patients and their care plans. In addition, try going through an agency for private duty. They hire CNAs, and you work for the "agency" and your sent to see one patient at a nursing home, one patient in their own home etc. etc. depending on the assignment. I got an offer once for full time employment in a hospice through an agency as a CNA. Just something to consider :)

Sheri,

Did you enjoy home health care? I just pased my CNA test and need to find a job. I want in the hospital, but right now, the hours won't work for me. They only have openings for three 12-hour shifts. I would like something maybe 9am-2pm. Someone said that home health care would be good because they let you pick the number of patients/clients you want. One girl said she spends just 2 hours a day with a patient and it works out good for her while she's in school.

Also, how would I go about getting malpractice insurance? My instructor said it's less than $100/year for a CNA and probably the best money anyone cuold spend to protect themselves.

Nicole

Sheri,

Did you enjoy home health care? I just pased my CNA test and need to find a job. I want in the hospital, but right now, the hours won't work for me. They only have openings for three 12-hour shifts. I would like something maybe 9am-2pm. Someone said that home health care would be good because they let you pick the number of patients/clients you want. One girl said she spends just 2 hours a day with a patient and it works out good for her while she's in school.

Also, how would I go about getting malpractice insurance? My instructor said it's less than $100/year for a CNA and probably the best money anyone cuold spend to protect themselves.

Nicole

Nicole,

I actually never ended up doing home health but knew people that did and it worked out well for them to get experience. I worked in the hospital but had to leave to get a summer job where I could actually make money before not working this fall. Great skills learned but no money (where I was anyway). And yes, the hospital shifts are always either 7a-7p, 11a-11p, 7p-7a OR sometimes there will be 8 hour shifts 7a-3p etc. Home health might work best for you. I had insurance for malpractice through NCO (in think thats what it was called) and I forget what it stands for. Maybe do an internet search. They hooked me up with it at the school where I got my CNA. About $20 per year. You won't need it working in a hospital though, only if you do private duty. At least thats what my hospital told me.

Cococure,

same thing happened to me. About 4 months after I completed my CNA and PCT course I got a job in a hospital. It took that long!! If you need money and experience soon, I recommend trying home health aide. You won't learn as many skills as in a hospital but it will get you some experience and the pay is about the same as cna (at least it is in GA). Its mostly baths, ADLs, vitals, and could even involve a little cooking/cleaning. But you'll get exposure to caring for patients and their care plans. In addition, try going through an agency for private duty. They hire CNAs, and you work for the "agency" and your sent to see one patient at a nursing home, one patient in their own home etc. etc. depending on the assignment. I got an offer once for full time employment in a hospice through an agency as a CNA. Just something to consider :)

I finally got an interview w/ the hospital and so far it was very positive. If hired I will be working nights 11pm to 7am and that's ok for me because it pays more and I do evening classes. Wish me luck on me 2nd interview...FL Hosp here I come....hopefully:rolleyes:

Thanks! I'm looking to take CNA classes in NYC and since I didn't see a specific spot, I figured it would be seen here. I am currently "stuck" in an admin position in an investment bank working from 7:30am-5:30pm. Hours NOT flexible, so I figured a CNA job would help with that problem, meanwhile give me the patient care experience that I need to be a better nurse...

I've been told, though, that if I do become a CNA, that I'd be turned off from the idea of being a nurse. Has anyone experienced this?

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Hi. My personal view is that, if possible, you should work in the field. I am a RN student (completed my 1st year!) and now I work in a hospital as a CNA. I wish I had been able to do so earlier, but I couldn't afford to challenge the test, so I had to wait til I got the "experience" from class. My hospital considers passing your first term as the equivalent of a CNA course. In nursing courses, they are constantly beating it into your head that just because you are an RN, you are NOT above changing beds, cleaning pts, feeding pts, etc. What do you do if your CNA is busy? Leave someone in a dirty bed? I agree with this completely, the problem is that if you are not already a CNA, you have no idea how to do these things (for instance, when you are feeding a pt, RAISE THE BED FIRST! oh my aching back) and you do not get enough time in clinicals to learn this along with all of your nursing responsibilities, not to mention you're only there for part of a day. In my first year of clinicals I did about 4 bed baths, and basically just did research, not much in pt care. In my first 2 weeks as a CNA, I lost count of the baths I did, helping with ambulation, dc'd 2 foleys and 3 hep locks, did CBI and a hundred different things that we had learned about, been tested on, but had no opportunity in our limited time to actually do. I had not even SEEN a CBI before. The learning factor is amazing. Our nurses are great too. They know me as a student so I am constantly being asked have you seen this, so you know about this, etc. Also, yes it might "turn you off" but better to know now. If you can't handle or just don't like being a CNA, maybe nursing is not your area. I was worried about this part of being a nurse, the fact-finding and research I knew I would like. Now, I know that I can do it, even taking care of the less than pleasant pts!

Sorry to go on so long, but bottom line-if you can do it, I think you should. I don't know how salaries and other factors compare between banking and CNA, but you should at least look into it and see.

I'd like to be a CNA. Right now I've just finished my first year of prereqs for my BSN, but I'd like to start learning and working in the field now to get more experience.

How much class time does it take, and what is the exam like? Is it conceivable to do this at the same time as being a full time student?

How do you get started?

Thanks!

I'd like to be a CNA. Right now I've just finished my first year of prereqs for my BSN, but I'd like to start learning and working in the field now to get more experience.

How much class time does it take, and what is the exam like? Is it conceivable to do this at the same time as being a full time student?

How do you get started?

Thanks!

Hey FrostedGlass,

Check your local American Red Cross they are going to be the most affordable also try community college, Vocational schools they usually have a very good program, some nursing homes offer free training but you have to work for them. I am not sure what state your from but experion has list of state approved CNA programs, practice exams etc. I did my CNA classes on Saturdays - all day for 10 wks- and kept my weekdays free for CC classes and work. The exam has two parts written and skills- where you demonstrate a specific skill they may ask eg lift, bed bath etc.

http://www.experioronline.com/examsbystate.asp

hi najalei ....i'm kinda in a hurry to get to class now so i i'm not able to give much info right now but just fyi i'm in new york going to cna classes you can send me a pm and i can give you information on the classes but i'll be respond to this thread when i get home ...