New CNA!

[infinite0meow]

So I got a job at a nursing home. LTC, rehab, usual business. I'm dipping my feet in the water, so to speak, while I go through nursing school. My end goal is to be a CRNA.

What advise would you give me? What items should I keep on me/invest in? (I already have a pair of nice, comfortable shoes)

I have a good idea of what to expect, as my mother is an RN and has gone into great detail as to why she thinks I shouldn't do it, and reading posts from you guys and reddit. I feel like working with LTC, Hospice, and rehab is a necessary experience. Not only because these facilities are desperate for good people, and these patients need care, but also because I want to experience the bottom rung of the nursing team. I think it would make me a better RN to know what my aides are going through.

[Cob94]

I don't think LTC, hospice and rehab are ' the bottom wrong of the nursing team" but whatever...

[hookyarnandblanket]

While there is a hierarchy, I am in agreement with the previous poster. Taking the mindset that CNAs in LTC, hospice, and rehab are on the bottom rung will effectively polarize you from not just fellow CNAs but also the rest of your coworkers and it likely will not be met in friendly terms. Sure, RNs are going to have a broader scope of practice than CNAs but the culture itself is more of a symbiotic relationship: CNAs are dependent on the RNs, RNs are dependent upon the CNAs, and everyone is dependent upon ancillary staff and the providers.

To get to your primary question, it would behoove you to purchase your own gait belt, black ink pens, permanent markers, a pair of bandage scissors (child safety scissors work well, too), cotton socks, ibuprofen, muscle cream, and find a hobby that will allow you to channel your stress after work.

[infinite0meow]

Please note, I didn't mean "bottom rung" in a negative sense. I understand that everyone works together, I just simply meant that in the tiers of nursing, CNA is the first. "Bottom rung" was not meant to be read as unimportant, least important, or even less important, just that as a CNA you work under an RN. And I meant CNAs in all fields, hospital and LTC. In a hospital, you're still working under an RN.

I understand how you can take that out of context, especially if you've been treated like you're lesser by some arrogant RN, but I certainly didn't mean it in a negative sense.