opradiva

congrats on the exam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is interesting. When I worked in LTC, each resident got three showers a week. The list was divided among the morning and evening shift. It would not be uncommon for me to give 4-5 showers on a given shift, and unforutnately, we had no shower team.

Thanks, SDMamma, for your response! It felt good to walk out of the LTC today, knowing I wouldn't have to return. But I have to be honest...I felt sad too, because I'm really going to miss the residents. I had really come to know a lot of them well. I'm hoping to stop by and visit periodically. Yes, I am looking forward to working in the hopsital setting. This will be my first hospital job! I'm really excited to be going into a totally different environment, and I can't wait to actually use some of the little knowledge I have!! Congrats to you on getting into nursing school! How much longer do you have? What responsibilities do yo have on your floor as a CNA?

Where are you applying? Many times, LTC's and ALF's will hire new CNA's with no previous experience. Hospitals usually want you to have some sort of work history in the field. Have you made any cold calls? I have gotten the majority of my jobs in this manner. Call the local nursing homes and ask them if there are hiring. Be aggressive! Nowadays, everyone is looking for a job. Show sincere interest and I think you will find the job you're looking for. Good luck!

Thanks so much for your response. I think you're right; I will feel the staff out, let them assess my work ethic, and go from there. It's interesting...I was speaking with a fellow coworker today (she's a treatment nurse on my hall), and she expressed the same feelings about LTC's losing quality staff due to the politics and lack of quality care. It's true! I've seen so many great CNA's leave because of this. It makes me sad! Thing have to change in our healthcare system!

Hello fellow CNA's! It's been a while since I've stopped by. I earned my CNA certification back in April in order to acquire direct patient care experience, and immediately began seeking employment. I ended up in a LTC facility. I love the residents! They are smart, articulate, eloquent people, for the most part, and the ones who are unable to articulate just pull at my heartstrings. Becoming a CNA has easily been one of the best things I've ever done. However, I have become disgusted with the way long term care is carried out. Shortages, staff calling out, insane patient/CNA ratios, horrible salaries; this does not facilitate patient care. This is NOT patient care. And as a student, you can forget about any nurse taking time out to teach you anything. They are too busy stabbing you in the back, blaming you for all that's wrong with the patients, and breathing down your neck so you can cover their butts. In my 6 months at the LTC facility, I have seen and heard the most horrific things: residents being treated like 5 year olds, residents being manhandled, residents being called crybabies to their faces, residents being asked questions pertaining to their sex lives (yes, I heard a nurse do this). It sickens me. On top of that, the CNA's are expected to be miracle workers. With a patient load of 13-16, how can we give showers, bed baths, dress, pass trays, make beds, feed, do vitals, change briefs, etc, and keep an eye on the dementia patient who keeps transfering by himself? In addition to all of this, management couldn't care less about our concerns. I've spoken to the DON on many occasions, and she looks at me like I'm an alien. What happened to quality of care? I'm tired of the whitewashing...what happened to actually doing things the right way? I'm tired of the "by any means necessary" mentality. What happened to do no harm; patient confidentiality; dignity; and residents' rights? I can't take this anymore. I knew early on that I wouldn't be in LTC for long. Because I had no prior experience, I was pretty much stuck. However, I recently landed a PCT position at a hospital in my area on an ICU floor! I'm looking forward to actually learning something, and feeling like a member of the team instead of the black sheep. Tomorrow is my last day in LTC. I will miss my residents dearly. I have so many people to say goodbye to. They have really touched me in a special way! For all PCT's/Nurses: How does LTC differ from the hospital setting? I love a hard day's work, so that doesn't worry me. My goal is to learn as much as possible. I have already completed a phlebotomy training course, and I am good with EKG interpretation. I recently got accepted to PA school, and I will begin matriculation a year from now. Is it wise to tell the staff this in hopes that they will facilitate my learning experience, or should I feel them out first? To all CNA's, keep your spirits up, and know you are a vital part of the healthcare team!

I have a similar set up: I work part time at a gym, I go to CNA class 4 days a week, and I take a full course load at another school. I L-O-V-E it! Keeps me on my toes and prepares me for the hard work that still lies ahead. You go, girl!

That's great advice. I completed my first application yesterday, and I did a lot of the things that you did: applying for all shifts, listing my experience with med term. BLS cert. Anything helps. Well, good luck to you and congrats again on landing that job!

congrats! good going on landing the hospital job. if i may ask, how did you go about getting a job in the hospital?

What fantastic advise....all of you! Thanks so much for taking time out to share little pearls of wisdom. Classes are going well, and I'll be sure to soak up as much info. as I can. I'm really hoping to land a hospital position since that is where I'm headed goal-wise! Well, I'll be sure to stop by often. Thanks again!

I'm so excited! Wisdom and advice are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hey there. Sorry to take so long to respond. The CNA program there is 6 weeks. I called around and was told by a local hospital to only get training at a technical college, and not at one of the many private schools. The next class starts the Monday after next. I'll be there!!! I hope this helps. Take care!

Hello there! I don't know what part of town you're in, but I have called just about every nursing home and LTC facility in the Metro area, and was unable to find one that trained for free. I would suggest going to a community college. At least there you can get some type of financial assistance if you need it. I will be attending GA Perimeter's CNA program this month. The cost is 750 for the whole deal (test, uniforms, books, stethoscope, BP cuff, etc), and there are financial aid options available. Good luck to you!

Thanks, that's a great point, although I will have to verify that the transcript doesn't discriminate between online classes and regular classes.

Thanks so much for the information. I guess I need to look elsewhere. I don't want to waste my time.

Hello all, I've been away for a long time, and I missed participating! My goal is to apply to GA Baptist College of Nursing, among other schools. I called them today and as I was asking my questions, it came up that they typically do not accept online courses for transfer credit. How is this possible? There is no information on the website that says online classes are not accepted. Is there anyone here who attends GA Baptist that took their social science classes online? I'm so frustrated now.

Congrats! Hopefully, I will be there in the Fall, too. I hear it's a great school, and many students are able to work as assistants after the very first semester! How long did it take for you to hear from them after sending in your information? opradiva

Wonderful news. From one Gwinnett County resident to another, congratulations. Enjoy it! opradiva

Hello there! I hope I can be of some assistance. I don't know if there is a quick way. There are ways that may be more efficient than others depending on your background. I read your other thread, and I totally understand where you are coming from. I have a music degree, and thought that I would be the best singer in the world, and grace the biggest and best opera stages. Not!! I think we are not well prepared coming out of high school to make the best career decisions. There are many schools here to choose from. many look at more than a gpa. I know Emory and GA Baptist ask for a personal statement outlining your nursing goals and interests. This is great for someone who may not have the 3.8 gpa, but has much more than that to offer. Check these out. Also, look at the job boards everyday. You see where the demand is. This is what you want to be focusing on. Check out the hospitals, too. There is lots of information out there. Researching the schools takes a lot of your time, but it's worth it. If you don't like the curriculum, try going out of state for school. It's an option. I hope this helps you. :Melody: opradiva

Excellent advice here! I would also say sincerity is very important. All schools know that each applicant is trying to paint the most perfect picture of themselves. You have to give them more than that, I think. I've always been pretty good at writing my thoughts. For my essay, I gave them a glimpse into my past, my academics, my current occupation, and tied all of that into nursing. I also outlined my nursing goals. I think they want to get a feel for what type of person you are, and how you will be able to contribute to their program. It's great to have the good grades and the book knowledge. I believe the ability to communicate that knowledge to others, on their level, is very important. This, to me, is what nursing is all about. :Melody: opradiva

Thank you. How nice of you to offer your math talents. I surely could use them. I have a math final coming up in about three weeks. I'll contact you if I need any assistance. Thanks again. Opradiva

Great point. This is why I know I can't give up. Math is a very difficult subject for me. When I see numbers, I freeze! Having lots of information to absorb have never bothered me. Math has always bothered me. I just absolutely hate it. But you are right. I just gotta get over it, deal with it, and overcome the challenge. Thanks! opradiva

Thanks guys for your support. Yes, today is a new day, and I'm gonna give it all I got. :Melody: opradiva

I can't do this...not tonight. I'm so frustrated. Every drop of energy I have is gone. Once I learn a new concept and become comfortable with it, something new pops up and throws me off. If I could personify math, just for one minute, this is what I would do....:trout: Father....please help me. In the meantime, I'm going to bed.

What a great mnemonic! I will definitely be using this one. The carpals are hard to remember. I tested on these about two weeks ago, and I have already forgotten which side is which. This will help. I do have one question, though. If speaking of the right hand, is this mnemonic describing the bones in anatomical position, or with a pronated forearm? Also, clockwise, or counter clockwise. I may be thinking too hard about it. I think Im using the same Marieb book as you, so I will look it up too. Thanks again. opradiva