valifay

I have been a CNA for many years and am getting ready to start a new job as a tech on the surgical floor while I am in NS (I've worked mostly LTC, home health and in the OR). I was wondering if any of the experienced med/surg nurses could offer me some tips and advice to working the floor...like, what makes a good tech and what are some of the things techs do that really bug you? I know the floor is VERY busy and I really want to make a good impression. TIA---Val

I work at a private assisted living center. I wear a polo shirt with the companies logo on it and khaki pants. We don't wear scrubs or do anything to institutional because our facility strives to keep it a family like environment.

Sounds like you need to talk to your boss and try to get trained proerly. Is this your first job as a CNA? AL can be just as hectic because typically you have less staff and just as many residents. These residents usually require less care, very few total assisted people if any, but can be very particular about their care. We follow a dignity and respect moto where I work and it seems you get to know the residents and their quircks alot better and can provide better care than in LTC. Not just because of staffing, but because these residents are typically with it and can express their needs. I

Where I work, you can wear the scrub caps all you want, but you have to wear a disposable over them while in the department. I'm not sure if this is common everywhere though. They also help keep your hair from breaking under those shotty disposables.

Effeciency, dedication and the abitlity to stand up for what is right...IMO these are just a few important factors of being a good CNA. Its never good to be seen and not heard. Depending what type of facility you work in, you are often the patients voice when they cannot speak. When I worked in LTC the CNA's spent more time with the residents than anyone else. If it wasnt for us reporting odd behavior, swelling, rashes, etc., it would go overlooked for days. Always speak up when you know it is important! As far as your question about a dead end job...its only a dead end if you make it one. There are plenty of opportunities for CNA's to make more money and enjoy their time at work. Many places hire CNA's in house as their CNA coordinators/shift supervisors. And once you gain enough experience and get your name out, private duty will call! And that's money in the bank, if you know what you're doing! *ex: When I made $10/hr at the nursing home, I made $20/hr private duty.* I still make close to double my hourly wage working private. And you can work it to your benefit...evenings only, mornings only, weekends off, whatever...and when you work private duty you can usually make your own schedule and quote your own rate (within reason!).

Simply put... The good= the people you take care of The bad= sadly, management...most of the time The ugly= poop, vomit and when you loos someone But all in all it is very rewarding and a great line of work for the right person. Its definetly NOT a job for everyone, and the pay doesn't justify hard work and dedication CNA's display!

I'll clarify, no LTC isn't the BEST place to start out, but pay wise for your first year out it can be. I had a friend who worked in LTC her first year and they were always short, so with all the OT and holiday work, she was able to pay of a LARGE amount of her student loans in a short amount of time. (in one month, she made almost $8000!)

I've worked all the shifts and of them all I really like day shift. The time goes by faster and you get to interact more with the families. And if your a morning person and take the early shift (like 5-1 or 6-2) you still have the rest of the day to do things and not have to worry about the time like you do when you work evenings or nocs. But, you definetly have to be easy going in the morning to accecpt the cranky non morning patients or coworkers LOL!

"A caregivers guide to alzheimers, 300 tips for making life easier." It not only applies to alz., but caring for anyone with dementia or bouts of confusion on all levels. And it has plenty of helpful tips for you the caregiver to keep your life on track and stress free along with tips for caring for these patients. Its a great read!

Its not that you don't get close, but rather you keep it at a professional level. I'm close to many of my residents, but not close like family or long time friends. Its just a different kind of closeness you experience when your job is to take care of people.

Mosby's "care of the patient in surgery" is one of the best surgical books written. If you are really interested in surgery go to half.com (retail is grossly overpriced)and get a good used copy of the newest edition (with the red cover). They have almost every procedure with pre and post op info...great resource!

If its a common language where you will be working it wouldn't hurt to take it. That way you would also know what your son is saying under his breath when he's mad at you LOL!

Not sure how detailed your answer needs to be, but the most common drug used (especially in the OR) is epi. You always need to maintain, or open an airway, monitor heart rythme and BP and all that. But epi is the drug of choice to reverse the effects of the reaction...

If your refering to the springfield area, anywhere from $12 to $16 from what I have heard. The LPNs where I work start at $14.50. I have heard that nursing homes tend to pay more and that is a good place to be your first year to develope your skills.

I have experienced the same and you have to be able to blow it off. I know it makes learning harder, but it also makes you tougher. Where I am training, some people are very new and insecure. Some people don't like change or new people and thats just something you get over. I worked with one woman who was absolutely rude to me when training, but sat down with me on my lunch and was bery nice and offered great advice. Some people get very anxious before cases too and that can reflect on their attitude towards you. Keep your chin up! Have you only worked at a hospital? Maybe try an ambulatory clinic and see if thats any better.

I have always heard of them as clean, unless there is debris or infection in the eye...

Yep, yep and no. Def. not my cup of tea...rather boring department if you ask me....

If you were in a full wrap and not standing in the path of the xray you should be alright. I have been told at the begining stages of pregnancy scatter has little effect on the baby. Does your facility have pregnancy lead? I would let your scheduler know you are pregnant so you can be in other cases. I'm also preggers and training in OR and have been told several times to stick to short cases with lead on because the risk of overheating inreases with each week of pregnancy. Be sure to eat a good breakfast and drink plenty of fluids if you wil be in on a long case. Good luck and congrats!

Wow! Thats really nice of you to say! Thanks for saying such great things about CNA's :)

My first job I worked for a few weeks before I took my exam. Here in IL I think you have 30 after you complete your class to pass the exam. LTC usually comply to this rule. Either way, I would say ask when you pick up an aplication.

situation 1...ignore it. People are like this and most likely the nurse ignored it too. Sometimes things seem obvious to one person and not to another and this sounds like the situation in the case...don't worry about it. Situation 2...Its something you get used to. Sometimes you go along with the odd questions and ask what they are talking about (what good does what do?), other times you now you will never get a straight answer and ignore it. Maybe ask your instructor for some tips on redirection. It all comes to you with experience and knowing your residents though. In the future, if you don't know where to push someone and can't get the pt to answer, don't be shy and ask someone who works there.

My best advice when it comes to shoes, try them on at the scrub shop and then find them online. Its usually significantly cheaper to order them. allheart.com will have about anything you want. When it comes to your steth, ask your employer if you need one or not. If you just need one for class, allheart has one for like $10 that will get you through clinicals.

Of the places I have worked, we have had sections in the pts chart where we make our notes. The nursing home I worked in, the CNA's had their own books to do their daily charting. It all depends on where you work. One assisted living place in my area has no paper work for the CNA's and all the nurses chart on are meds unless anything happens to a rsident or changes in the care plan are made.

I have never heard of CNA course on the internet. Your best bet would be to call a few nursing home and see if they offer the class or look into the community college or see if you have a career center in your area. Most places, like the college or career center will accept financial aid. IMO, its a good idea if you plan to become a nurse, if anything you will get an insight into the field and be better prepared for your core courses. Good luck to you!

LTC = Long term care