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Hi, Pretty Nerd, It's 2021, are you feeling better? I'd like to thank scribblz for the advice given. I needed some encouragement myself. Did you find that helpful, I sure did! I know I'm reading this much later, but you should definitely listen to scribblz. I just read your post on vaccines. I have some advice for you too, but I'm posting that separately. I'm a CNA, came out of retirement in January last year after not working since 2007. I was basically brand new and got re-licensed last year as soon as test centers reopened. I was scared to death and definitely felt dumb and like my skills were outdated. I know nursing is definitely more intense education wise, but the point is I didn't let it stop me. I don't have a support system either. But I've met so many supportive and kind nurses and CNA's since then. At the moment, I'm applying to LPN schools, no matter how dumb I feel. The nurses I work with gave me references for jobs and schools. I've done a lot of networking. I've had the opportunity to work at agencies, a hospital, and LTC. Now I'm trying LTAC. All because I wouldn't let fear stand in my way. Or lack of confidence. If you let your fear stop you will miss out on the networking opportunities, camaraderie, and support from your fellow nurses. Yes, there is always stress right now. The pandemic makes it worse. But, I've never seen so much team work, love, and support in my entire life. If you don't feel confident, maybe you could take a refresher course. Find a job you're comfortable with and maybe start PRN so there isn't any commitment if you hate it. I'm not a nurse though. Scribblz, what do you think? What's a good way to build up your confidence? Good luck to you. Come back to nursing, we need you!

I was able to get comfy impermeable sneakers at either HSN or QVC. They were on sale and they had a payment plan so I got 2 pairs. I'm not sure of the return policy but I think one of those allows free exchanges. Double check that. I got a half size larger because my feet tend to swell on long shifts. They did have wide sizes.Definitely get compression socks to go with your shoes.

I'm a CNA working two PRN jobs: one in floating in a hospital and one in a nursing home. I recently left the hospital because I kept getting stuck working as a sitter with psych patients with no training. Recently I had a new hospital interview, and they said that CNA's in Medical work with all psych and seniors. So frustrating. I need a change from the nursing home because I'd like to work with all ages, not just seniors. I'd rather not work with psych at all. Is this common for hospitals? It was not a psych facility, by the way. But they do have a psychiatrist office in one of the buildings, no actual in patient psych. The psych patients just get transferred. What are my options, if any? I can't afford to go back to school. Is LTAC a good option? I know they would be more seriously sick, but would LTAC patients be all ages? Any advice would be appreciated.

Learn the extensions for other departments, and understand the codes you hear over the loudspeaker in the hospital. When it comes to safety, make sure which exits to use in the event of a fire and what to do. I've been in one fire in the nursing home already, so thank goodness I knew what to do!

I've worked PRN throughout the pandemic in both the nursing home and the hospital. It becomes routine very quickly. Get there early and find the CNA who is about to go home. Find out how your patients/residents are assigned. My nursing home just let us pick. But the hospital assigned my patients ahead of time and I got them from the Unit secretary. Ask the CNA for a walk through/report no matter how brief. At the nursing home, introduce yourself to that CNA and the nurse working with you. It's fine to say you're PRN at the nursing home and you don't know the residents. Make sure you know all codes to all doors and where things are stored. Make sure you have enough supplies for the night and know where to get them if you run out. Know which residents/patients are assigned to which nurse. Write it down so you're not constantly asking little things like that. All facilities are basically the same, the only thing that changes is the patients that night.The nursing home will have residents who never leave, though. Or Residents may be totally different. Staff too, you may not get to know them if they constantly change. Or if they use a lot of agency staff. Make sure you ask the outgoing CNA specifics about the patients ahead of time like who is likely to be combative, who wanders, who might wake up and take off their briefs and smear excrement, for instance. Who is independent and should not be disturbed? I like to be prepared. Find out who are the diabetics on the floor if the CNA doesn't tell you the nurse will, but ask her. Who is going for dialysis, who needs to be ready, washed and dressed for an appointment that day?. That way you can decide who to work with first. Who is NPO? Who is incontinent? Where is your equipment: gait belts, mechanical lifts? Can they grab the handrails and turn? Will you need help with a resident? Where is the ice, water, and where do they keep snacks for patients? If you don't know how to do something, be honest and say so. Don't be afraid to review some skills on Youtube on your break. And review things when you get home, too. Know your username and password for documentation. Don't forget to clock in/out and if you do, what's the procedure so you can get paid! Know where to park. Know how to use equipment correctly and troubleshoot it if necessary. Know how to document and scan procedures and equipment you borrow. And where to recycle or dispose of it. Where is the bathroom: yours and the patients/residents? Breakroom, vending machine? That, and keep safety and body mechanics in mind at all times. Stay within your scope of practice as a CNA no matter what crazy stuff you see on the floor, especially when you're new. And follow the rules and policies. Whenever possible, get to know at least one supervisor, so that you always have references. That's it, that's your whole shift every time, no matter the facility: hospital or nursing home. Good luck, let us know how you're doing.

@ Nurse SMS, MSN, RN Hi, I could use some advice. I'm not sure if that advice was for me or for YoucanCallmefrank. I'm working with an agency now who is recruiting CNA's specifically for Covid affected nursing homes. I haven't signed anything yet. This would be my first job in a post acute skilled nursing facility. It would also be my first CNA job. Before that I was a home health aide in assisted living. My goal is to go to nursing school and keep working as a CNA while in school. If we were not in the middle of a pandemic I wouldn't hesitate to say yes. Should I take this job, given that I could really use the experience and recommendations for nursing school and nursing scholarships? Or should I wait until after the pandemic is over? As a new CNA during a pandemic, would I just slow down everyone else who already works there? What would you do, especially since I'd be locked into a contract. What red flags should I look out for in the contract? I've had a chance to talk to two people who work there but not in detail. They're happy there, despite the current situation. Reviews online are mixed. If anyone else is getting recruited right now for covid 19 affected nursing homes, or is already working in one; can you share your experience?

@Callmefrank, Hi, what did you decide to do? Did you take the CNA job? Are you still unemployed? A the moment, I'm trying to decide if I should take a CNA job with a travel agency, but I'm hearing terrible things about travel CNA and nursing jobs right now. I'll decide after asking for advice here. If you haven't found a job yet, maybe you could deliver food or work at a supermarket. Not sure if you will make as much as the restaurant, though. Let us know how you're doing, and good luck.