jaytek13

Eh, the quicker you get used to those things the better IMO. If you're going for nursing you're going to encounter those things all the time. Aside from that, there are benefits to either. EMT teaches you some valuable technical skills that you will continue to use while working as a nurse, such as intubation and whatnot. CNA teaches you the personable skills side of the job, in being able to relate to the patient, get to know them, etc. Although from my understanding it is much harder to get a job as an EMT than it is as a CNA.

I have very bad handwriting. I'm an IT person and have been working with computers for a very long time. I seldom write anything at all, and subsequently my handwriting borders on illegible, even when I'm trying to take my time. I also have shaky hands which I don't imagine helps. I've been applying to CNA jobs for about 3 months now, and haven't gotten a single callback. Not even for an interview. Do you think my handwriting might be preventing me from getting a job?

Of course, you have to keep in mind that for most places the rate of pay has some correlation to the cost of living in that area. Obviously CNA's are going to be paid more in big cities, but that extra money goes back into the cost of living. Overall I think most CNA's maintain the same standard of living regardless of where they live or how much money they make per hour.

Here in Michigan they tell you right away whether you passed or not. Still have to wait a week or two to get your certification, but it's nice to know right then and there anyways. As far as tips are concerned... I'm not sure about your particular State and how it does it's testing, but first of all take your time. They give you an abundance of time, more than any person should need. Here they give you 2 hours for the skills test, and it took me about an hour to complete it. Second, don't question yourself. If you think it should be done, do it. You don't get marked down for doing more than you should, but rather only for missing things you should have done. If you mess up in the middle and forget something, and realize it later on, they will let you go back and correct yourself. As far as the multiple choice part of the test is concerned, it is really easy. They're basically just common sense questions, so use your common sense. Good luck!

Sorry wrong post

I had a real person for a bed to wheelchair transfer on the skills test... which I failed. It's really quite different from practicing on mannequins which is what we mostly did in class. Unfortunately my classmates weren't quite as serious about learning it seemed so I didn't have much opportunity to practice on real people in an appropriate manner. So, for anything that -might- require you to perform the procedure on a real person, I would take as many opportunities as you can to practice doing this on a real person rather than a mannequin.

Well, they have to be fairly short sleeved normally. I'm not sure of what your particular class requires, but anywhere you would work would require that the sleeves be above the elbow, as longer sleeves tend to pick up things alone the way and provide an easy method of spreading infection. And as far as color is concerned, if they left it up to you that's great, but I'd just go with the normal nursing student color - white.

I failed the skills test. I had 3 objectives... Catheter care, female perineal care, and pt transfer from bed to wheelchair. I failed the transfer portion. I'm not really sure why. I reviewed the objectives defined by the state and I really can't figure it out. After watching the videos provided above the only think I can see that I did wrong was not lifting the head of the bed first. And my body mechanics aren't exactly perfect in my opinion. In any event, I heard if you fail the test once you cannot work as a CNA until you pass it. I've looked through the states documentation and can find no reference to this. Does anyone know anything about this or has heard this before? I'm just wondering if I can still apply for jobs between now and my next test.

Most people find it much easier to get into a long term care facility right off the bat rather than a hospital. Most hospitals require at least 6mo. - 1yr of experience before they'll hire you. Also, many long term care facilities pay a higher hourly wage, although you give up the benefits unless you're full time. And at a hospital they will often reimburse part of your tuition (and sometimes all of it) if you going for nursing. Personally, my opinion, since you will be continuing your education, would be to try and get into a hospital first. Otherwise you can always just build up experience in LTC and apply to a hospital later.

There's a lot of things to consider besides just how close the LTC facility is. First of all, are you planning on going RN later on or already in the process? Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement, especially for RN's, and this isn't always the case with LTC's. Also, will you be working part time at the LTC? If so, chances are good they won't provide you with any type of insurance. Additionally, once you get a semester of nursing done, most hospitals will hire you in as a med assistant. So, it really depends on your situation.

Honestly, with only 2 weeks left is there any good reason not to finish? You'll be able to put the class on your resume, and I would imagine that during the last week of the class they will have you in some clinical settings to get some hands on experience. Additionally, at least here in Michigan (and I know this is true for most other states), you have to have 120 hours of coursework or have ~6 months recent experience working as a CNA. Without that they won't even let you take the test.

It's always nice to take the first step. I am also using experience as a CNA as a stepping stone to get to a RN.

Whether it be in a hospital or LTC facility, what kind of hours do you work? I am taking a CNA class next month and plan on going to school for nursing thereafter. Do these places work with you in terms of your schedule? Do you work 4-5 days a week, or is it possible/more common to do 3 12 hour shifts/week?

I believe most people consider Gray's Anatomy to be the premier study guide for A&P. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780517223659&itm=1

This entire post is homophobic. He said he talks about his family, just as anyone would... I'm sure he's not walking into class and making sure everyone knows he's gay. But much like how a straight person could mention their wife/girlfriend in casual conversation, so can a gay man, but when a gay person does it people like you consider it flaunting their sexuality. He is right about one thing though... You should just shut up and deal with it. Being in the South I'd assume the school your attending has no policy banning discrimination against homosexuals, and so even if it were so bad that you had a clear cut case, no one would do anything about it.