Serendipity, PCT

I was involved in a similar situation. However, I was told that the incident needs to be reported to the Department of Health. Is it possible that a CNA can lose his/her license as a result of a situation like this one?

You are too funny!!! I am very strict about privacy as well. Now, unfortunately (long story) my whole building knows my first AND last name (it's all in fun, though) - and you know I just started this week!!! With that being said, I'm going to have to figure something out. . . Tee-hee

Some very interesting responses so far. . seems as if most people go by their first names. How do you feel that the name we use at work influences our professional image? Should CNA's be called by their last name to "claim" respect (just as those who are "higher on the totem pole")? On a superficial level of course. . .

Just curious to know. Let's get a census going

I'm assuming you havent gotten a response because there has been numerous threads on this very subject. In order to find them, all you have to do is use the search engine. CNA pay varies based on state, facility, and experience level; you won't get rich though unless you live off of ramen noodles and you find a roommate (LOL) Best wishes!

You are definitely well prepared !!! From what i've gathered so far you seem to be an amazing CNA. .Cool, you get to pass meds?! I had the opportunity to work in a NH yesterday. My HH agency also staffs HHAs in NHs to be sitters, etc. From what I saw, NOTHING is the way we learned in class. In fact, there was only ONE bath basin instead of two for a complete bed bath. Is this normal? Lol. No soap.. just pre-soaped disposable cloths. ONE towel for the bath etc. Let me just say that i'm glad I saw that first hand yesterday so that when I start orientation tomorrow I don't look like such a NOOB, What got to me though is how rough some of them were with the PT's especially the hospice PT's. When the CNA went to bring her to the top of the bed she yanked her so hard that the PT hit her head! It's like they had that "they gonna die anyway" attitude. The bed bound hospice PT was begging for food while mobile PT's were in the dining room and no one seemed to bring her anything. . hmm Right before that the PT's family left and seemed pleased swearing up and down their loved one was receiving good care. . All in all I enjoyed myself yesterday. But I only had one PT - Tomorrow will be a different story when I start orientation on 7AM-3PM. I gotta wear white scrubs so I bought beige panties, a little notebook, im gonna bring a pen, watch, and polish my white nursing shoes and bring my lunch. Hopefully things run smoothly Thanks for all your advice!

thank you so much for your response!! you made some great points. the one that sticks out the most is when you suggested that i listen more than i talk; i will definitely take that to heart because i am very prone to be a talker - which isn't always good. i'm going to heed your advice and scope out the scene first!! also, it's been a while since i completed clinicals and it slipped my mind to bring a notebook, so thank you for saving me once again, lmao i'm not going to go all out and buy extra supplies right now. what i'm going to do is work for about a week, observe the other cna's and i will eventually buy things i need along the way. . do you bring a "cna bag"? if so: what's in it if you don't mind my asking. . anywho, great advice nevertheless and i can't wait to see what advice others have. those who are new or orienting should post here as well to share experiences. i've been working in direct care for a year and it really takes a special person to stick with this long term. it's easy to start, but as they say, not many finish. regardless, if anyone is blessed enough to have the experience of a cna/ direct care personnel, you will definitely take something with you and learn something from each pt :redbeathe:redbeathe

just landed my first job as a cna in a nursing home/rehab this is a very exciting time for me as i have been waiting since last year when i passed the boards to land a cna job. all this time i have been working as a chha in home health. my question is: what are the do's and don'ts for new cna's in orientation? what can i expect and how can i best prepare? the orientation begins this monday and i was told it could last for 1 week depending on how "proficient" i am. i would particularly like current cna's who have had to train/orient new staff at their facilities to answer as well as rn's/lpn's if you are searching this board. i'm hoping for the best . as i've stated, my previous experience is in home health so transitioning to facility work is going to be a lot different; i was told i could have up to 20 pt's depending on what shift i work. supposedly, i will be working 7am- 3pm for orientation, but will be staffed on 3pm- 11pm. those of you who work these shifts, feel free to tell me a little about what to expect as well. . this can be a continuous thread for new cna's as a reference as well as to share our orientation experience :redbeathe:nurse: congrats to all who have just passed the boards and/or are beginning their first jobs!!!

Got the job!! *DEEP BREATH* Now all I can do is hope for the best on this ride. Believe me, it WILL be a ride; this will be my first time working in a facility as a CNA! Transferring from Home Health..

how are you??? you are right, it's been a while !!!!! congrats on your employment as a cna/pct; how are those facilities working out for you? still there??? yes, i will pm you or vice versa. i've been busy with work as well; i'm signed with four different agencies in nyc and i'm starting a job soon at a rehab/skilled nursing facility in about 1-2 weeks as soon as my paperwork is done, everything is going well and although i've been working in home health up until now, i'm excited to make the transition to facility work. i'm sure it will be a challenge having more than one pt. however, working in hh has allowed me to perfect the skills i've learned in class 1:1. now the thing will be to work on speed for the new phase of my career being that i could potentially have 10+ pt's. i'm working 3pm-11pm so we'll see how it goes . .

*BUMP* How is everyone doing? It would be nice if we could make this a NYC Community Thread and we got to know each other on here! It's a small world..

This did make me feel better. It is so easy to just get offended and ignore the big picture. I suppose this is the nature of the Healthcare field and I am the only one who can feel comfortable with me regardless of what position I am in on the totem pole. It would be nice if we would stop spending so much time feeling holier than thou and keep our patients the center of our attention, but if that never happens, I suppose I can only do my part on the team and try not to let other people make me bitter.

You know what? This is quite possible. Although her body language suggested otherwise because she turned her back to me. Lol! Maybe she is just lacking a little in the social category? Its quite possible. Well, I came to find out that she had no idea what a Tech does and we wound up being friends in the end so I guess that's all that matters. It was interesting to see she "had more respect" for me when she found out that I was a Phlebotomist and EKG Tech. Not in a good way: Even if I was just a licensed CNA, CNA work is hard and noble work and deserves respect - it takes a special person to do this work. No one goes through any nursing program without changing a BedPan. So in my opinion if anyone is squeamish, Nursing may not be the profession for them. That's neither here nor there. I couldn't help but get offended still, you know? A dietitians salary is "nothing to write home about" as my friend said at only 40K a year.

I took a CPR/AED for the professional rescuer course recently and I encountered some girl who was a Dietitian and we were talking to an RN who was really cool, BTW. I mentioned that I was a Tech and then she was like "OMG, you really need to upgrade!". Have you encountered this rudeness?? I happen to love the idea of being a Tech before I become a Nurse. It is a lot more rewarding than working at MACY's while I try to finish Nursing School!:argue:

Just a little update: I completed my PCT course and I am now studying for my National Patient Care Technician exam. After the exam I am going to take a CPR course and then send my resume out (finally!). It's been a whole year you guys, Lol! I came on here to give you all encouragement! It's freezing cold tonight so I stayed in; I'm working on my resume, etc. As I searched the internet I realized that there are over 300 Nursing Homes and about 89 Hospitals in NYC! Ladies and Gentlemen I hope for the best in the year 2010 - May you all be blessed with your hearts desires personally and professionally! Here is to wishing you all a Happy Holiday and a wonderful NEW YEAR!