ccyrrus

I have recently been filling out applications at various nursing homes, trying to find work as a CNA. I have had several interviews and I think a couple of places are interested in hiring me. Both nursing homes are both fairly compatible with each other in size and seem like nice places to work. One of the nursing homes hires through several different agencies (in fact most of their staff is through various agencies) and the other does not. However, one doesn't seem shorter staffed than the other one. My question is this: Should I be leery of places that hire through agencies? Does this create a "red flag" saying that they can't keep help? Why do nursing homes hire through agencies, if they can hire someone cheaper off the street? I'm sorry for all the questions, but I want to make sure that I make the right decision, about which place to work at. I have never worked for a nursing home that has mostly agency staff working for them, such as this place does. Also, I was told at the interview that they "mandate" three times a month. I have also never worked for a place that "mandates", so I was wondering if this is normal. I am new to a different city, and maybe things are done differently here, than the small town that I come from. I was just wondering what the benefits are of hiring through an agency, and why some nursing homes do that and other do not. Thanks in advance for any help or insight that you can give me.

a 36 year old virgin????? are you serious????!!!!!

There are different levels of being a CNA. I am a CNA II, which doesn't mean a thing, except a small raise, once I passed the class. There are also CNA III, which is another class, and you have to work at each level for a certain length of time before you can advance to the next one. Each class teaches things learned in the initial CNA class, just more in depth. There are also CNA-M classes offered in some states. That is where a CNA can go back to school to learn how to pass meds. Again, you have to be working as a CNA for a certain length of time, before you are even eligible for the class. The class is usually 120-150 hours long. It consists of classroom work, lab work and clinicals. Not all states allow Med Techs and usually they can only work in LTC facilities, never hospitals. At least, that is how it is, where I live. I am currently taking a Med Tech class and am finding it to be very interesting. I hoped this helped. Again, every state is different. Your state may or may not offer these classes.

I have been a CNA for four years and I work in a nursing home. I have a close relative who is a retired RN. She has been one of my biggest supporters (emotionally) over the years, and has discussed "the good old days" with me a few times, about when nurse's aides weren't certified. Her recollection of those times are different than the OP's. She said that it was scary at times, how people could come in off the street, with no training, and start working with the older folks. Repeated falls and other mishaps were a common every day thing. She is glad that nursing assistants have to be trained and certified now, and has stated, that they always should have been. I initially became a CNA, because I wanted to get into the healthcare field but didn't know which direction I wanted to go in. I thought that, as a CNA, I could observe different job positions and some of what they entailed. Perhaps that might help me decide on a career. However, I found out that I truly loved being a CNA and the residents that I help care for every day. Although, this isn't a job that I will do for the rest of my life, I am happy right now, doing what I am doing. It's not because I am not qualified to do anything else! (As the OP stated) I have worked other places doing other jobs, and this is the only place that I have felt a sense of satisfaction for a job well done, at the end of the day. The work is hard and we work short-staffed a lot! But the good does out weigh the bad. I have helped to take care of many elderly residents in the LTC facility that I work in. Several of those people used to work as RN's. They all tell me that they wished that they had a caring, hardworking CNA, like me, when they were working, as it would have made their job a lot easier. The appreciation that I get from them, means more to me than any praise that I get from my supervisors.

I am just curious why a Geri Chair wasn't used for this resident.

Good grief! Not this discussion again! :smackingf This is a very controversal subject. I can't speak for every state, but where I live, the CNA-M course is 120 hours. A person has to have worked at least one year as a CNA, before they are even accepted into the class. There are some prerequisites that have to be completed, as well. I have heard the argument many times from RNs who said that they had to go to school for two years, to be able to pass meds. But RNs are learning so much more than that! They didn't spend two years in school just learning to pass medications! I personally don't see anything wrong with the CNA-M course. (Although, I guess I am in the minority when I say this.) However, I remember a time when RNs were upset because LPNs were given the right to pass meds. Now nobody even thinks twice about it. Times change, and we have to change with the times. As long as people are properly trained, I really don't see the problem.

I am currently a CNA. I would eventually like to become an RN. In the state that I live in, it is not a prerequisite to be a CNA, before entering nursing school. However, I chose to get my CNA first, to see if this was something that I wanted to pursue, before investing a lot of time and money. It's a shame when people spend two or more years in college, get a degree, and then find out that they are not happy with their career choice. I did not want that to happen to me. I wanted a "heads-up" on what nursing was all about. Not some delusional, glorified perception of what I THOUGHT nursing was all about. As a nurse you will see all kinds of gross body fluids from people who are at their most vulnerable. If you are gagging in the corner, then you are no help to your patients/residents. Especially, when they need you the most. I agree with the above posts. Perhaps you should think about a different career. BTW, babies wear diapers. Adults wear briefs!

This post is cracking me up. I haven't had a lot of surgeries, or even been in the hospital very much. (Knock on wood--I'm generally fairly healthy) But it has been my experience when I have been in the hospital after an operation, all I am able to do is sleep. The drugs are great! (Just kidding!) I would never be coherent enough to do a crossword puzzle or even read a newspaper for that matter. So I really wouldn't care about having anything like that. As long as I was comfortable, I really wouldn't want anything else, except to be left alone...and to keep the painkillers coming!

I am so glad that I work in a place that has strict "No Solicitation" rules. I wish it was this way everywhere. People do feel guilty about not contributing, even if they can't afford to do so. A couple of dollars here and a couple of dollars there, doesn't seem like that much money---until you start adding it all together. I have worked in places in the past, where it seemed like somebody was holding their hand out several times a week. One time (at a previous employment) I was hit up for money, four different times for four different people, in an eight hour shift! These people all worked in another department, and I didn't know any of them! That was an expensive night for me! But I was young, and didn't want to create hard feelings. It's hard to say "no" to people, especially this time of year. But I found that if I gave to every "hardship case" then it wouldn't be too long, before I became a "hardship case", myself. Don't feel guilty. You have to think about yourself, too!

I work in a LTCF. This happened to me a couple of years ago, at the start of my shift. A little old lady called me into her room, concerned because she had missed her favorite television show, which was on the night before. She told me that I should have reminded her about it, especially since she had given ME specific intructions, to do so. I laughed, and politely informed her, that she must have me mistaken for someone else. I had been on vacation for two weeks, in another state--visiting relatives, and had just gotten home the night before. I also reminded her that I work days, and the incident that she was talking about happened on the night shift. She left me speechless when she replied: "And you think that's a good excuse?!" :icon_rolleyes:

Congratulations on getting your CNA! You do want to weigh all of your options, and decide which job environment is right for you. But here is one thing to consider: Where I live, a person usually is not considered for home health care, or hospitals, unless they have worked as a CNA for at least one year. So most new CNA's get their experience at LTC facilities. As I said, it may be different where you live. Good luck and keep us posted!

Thanks to all the people who replied to my recent post. I appreciate your honest opinions. I just wanted to clarify a couple of things. I have never thought of myself, or introduced myself as a nurse. I have even politely corrected residents or family members who refer to me as a nurse and ask about medical treatments, or medicines. I explain that I am their CNA, and offer to get the nurse for them. That being said; the "Just" a CNA" comment came from a nurse who was belittling me in front of a family member. It was four years ago, when I first started working at my present job. I was still in orientation. I was at the nurses station getting an assignment. A family member approached me, and wanted to know which room a particular resident was in. I didn't know the names of all the residents, as it was only my second day on the job. I looked to the charge nurse for help, and she turned to the person and stated in a loud voice: "You will have to forgive her! She's JUST a CNA!" I felt so unappreciated and embarrassed. I was speechless. She could have informed the person that I was a new employee, and left it at that. The second thing is: I understand nurses are very busy. They have a very demanding schedule and a lot of responsibility. For this reason, I am not one to ask for help from the nurses. I will always wait for another CNA. (Have been known to wait 20 minutes, for help with a transfer that will take two seconds!) It's always nice when a nurse approaches me, and says: "I understand that we are short-staffed, today. Can I give you a hand?" I always appreciate that, and try to take up as little of their time, as possible. However, I have had nurses who have walked three hall lengths to tell me that a resident wanted some fresh water. It would have been quicker for the nurse to have gotten the water herself, from the machine which was located just around the corner. When I stated this fact, the nurse replied: "I didn't go to nursing school for two years just to pass water! That is a job for the PBWs!" (professional butt-wipers) Hope I made things a little clearer, from my first post. And again, thanks to everyone who responded. I appreciate your feedback! :)

I have been working as a CNA in a LTC facility for the past four years. I am posting on this forum, because I would like some feedback from nurses. Recently at work, a survey was handed out to all the CNAs with a variety of different questions on it, to get our opinions on various job-related topics. We were encouraged to do this anonymously, so that Administration could get our true thoughts on these subject matters. After we all completed the survey and turned it in, the results were discussed with us in a meeting. If we chose to participate in a discussion, we could. If we chose to remain silent during the meeting, that was fine too. It was strictly voluntary. One of the interesting things that I learned was an answer to one of the questions: "Do you think nurses appreciate CNAs?" The answer was an overwhelming "No". But on the flip-side, the question was posed: "Do CNAs appreciate the nurses?" And the majority answered, "Yes". I would like to get some nurses' opinions, on how they really feel about nursing assistants. I know that, at times, I have been belittled, spoken down to, been made to feel stupid, and referred to as: "Just a CNA", by some nurses. On the other hand, I have worked with some great nurses. They praised me on a good job done, and even helped me out, a time or two, when things were hectic. Your TRUE opinion of nursing assistants, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hi! I am a CNAII and live in Maine. The CNAII class that I took, covered all of the material that I learned in my CNA class, except that it was more in depth. It is also a "Preceptor class", so that I can orientate new CNA's. Basically, it just looks good on paper, and qualified me for a small raise in pay. It might help me in the future, should I choose to get into a hospital setting. Right now, I work in LTC. I am thinking about taking a Med-Tech course, which will enable me to dispense meds. In Maine, this is an entirely different class than a CNAII class. Jo