chesara

Honestly, doing care plans was one of the reason's I didn't continue with my second quarter of the program. We didn't even "learn" how to do them until the end of our first quarter when we started clinicals. We were given very little guidance, then yelled at when we didn't do them right. We did have books though but it was a "figure it out for yourself" process. Plus we had to write out all the meds for the patient, along with side effects, dosage, and time given. I do believe it is very important to know what meds your patient is on and the side effects, but by the time I got done writing all the meds, doing care plans with four diagnosis (prioritized) on my patient, including all the labs and meds listed again, and any doctor's orders, braden scale, fall assessment sheet, plus four intervention sheets with at least 5 interventions for each diagnosis, I was staying up until 2am with a 6:45am start time the next day for clinicals. We had to go to the hospital the day before clinical to get our patient info so that we could go home and do the care plans. But we couldn't go to the hospital until after 3pm and had to have the info by 6pm. Then consider making dinner and other family stuff before starting on the care plans, and that's why it was into the wee hours of the morning for me. I just wasn't ready to commit that kind of time. Of course I know my particular course is doable because obviously people make it through. But in my situation, it was just more than I could handle and I don't even have any children living at home or have a job, so I can imagine how hard it is on those who have those extra duties. I keep in touch with a girl from my class and a few people have already dropped but it's still one of the largest classes the school has had. I have the opportunity to go back for winter quarter but I'm thinking maybe I'm just not cut out for it. One great thing I did learn about the side effects of the meds is that it helps you come up with your interventions. But the vast amount of time it took me to gather up all my information and write it out was too much for me. I felt like I was doing just about as much as the RN program probably teaches and think if I go back at all it will be for RN. I applaud everyone who keeps going because I know it's not easy.

I know it's probably too late to help you but when I had to do my catheter check-off, this youtube video really helped me a lot We got to take home a kit for practice although it's hard to do without a mannequin since you can't practice on a real person at home lol. Our school was so strict about our check-offs. If we failed the first time on any of our skills we had to remediate and had one chance to pass a second time. If we failed then supposedly we'd be out of the program. I didn't pass the catheter the first time but I did the second time and this video really helped. It was just about identical to how we were supposed to do it. I haven't had to insert one into a patient yet. We did each get to use the glucometer on a patient so that was cool. Our clinicals for this quarter are over so I'm enjoying my break. The first quarter was stressful and our clinical instructor was very hard on us. There is always something that we can be put out of the program for in my school. If we don't pass the ATI exam by the second time, we're out (we have about 4 or 5 over the course of the year-long program). If we don't pass clinicals, we're out. It doesn't matter if you make good grades. Not passing these things could easily put you out. So I could make it as far as the third quarter and then fail out if I don't pass the ATI given at that time. We don't have one next quarter luckily but I'm sure there will be plenty of ways to fail out in that quarter as well. I'm trying to think positive and not worry about it. I can just do my best and hope that it's good enough. Good luck on the rest of your skills check-offs and let us know how you did.

I'm only a few days into a 12 month program so I don't really know yet what to think. We haven't had a test yet so I'll be able to say more about that next week. For the first quarter, we only take Nursing Fundamentals and Drug Calc. We have lab for Nursing Fundamentals on M-W-F and we're split into two groups for lab since our class is large. There's an 8-11 group and an 11-2 group. I'm happy that I'm in the 11-2 lab because it gives me more time in the morning to get household stuff done. In lab we will have independent study days, days working with the instructor on skills, and then skills tests. The class instruction for NF is on Tu-Th from 8-11:30, followed by Drug Calc from 12:30-3:00. Today was the first day of those classes. In NF we discussed the history of nursing. In Drug Calc we did a pre-test (not graded) to see how we are with basic math. I admit I got a few wrong because of being rusty. The instructor is really nice though (so far :)) and wanted a baseline to see how we progress. We have 8 weeks of class time and two weeks of clinicals at the end of the quarter. We have to pass an ATI exam before starting clinicals. If we fail it after two attempts we are out of the program and can reapply for the fall but on a space available basis. There are about 4 people in my class that are on their second attempt for the program because they failed the ATI. Basically you can be passing both the classes but if you fail that ATI, it doesn't matter - you're out. So I'm a bit nervous but hopeful that I'll pass. I'll keep you posted.

I took my test in GA and didn't find MA on the listing for the company that administers ours. But I did find the below website for you (in their search box, type "Nurse Aide" and it will take you to some links). I tried to post the link directly but it didn't work. I hope you find your answers because it adds to the stress when you don't know what your skills will be. Good luck! (I see that when I go to the link it says "error" but you can still access the site) http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=mg2homepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=massgov2

My program is a year long and starts tomorrow. At orientation they really put the fear in us that we shouldn't work while in school. I don't think that is a realistic expectation for a lot of people. There are many people who don't have financial aid or the ability to go through school without an income. I'm married and we still need the extra income, although I'm not employed right now. I recently got my CNA and was hoping to do something with it while in school because I'm going to have to pay for my classes without financial aid. I sort of resented the instructors telling us not to work although I understand they are just letting us know how demanding the program is going to be. I think it depends on the person and their study habits. So I still plan to find a job but I too am wondering if it's doable to work at least part-time and still make good grades. I'm also guessing not all programs are the same so that probably has a lot to do with a person's success too.

Hey everyone, I got my acceptance letter on Saturday and will start classes at the end of this month! I'm excited and nervous. My program is one year so hopefully by the end of March '09 I will be a nurse!

I thought I'd piggyback onto this thread instead of starting a new one. Today I got my acceptance letter into the program! I start at the end of this month. I've finished the pre-requisites and now it's all nursing from here on out. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. My program is 4 quarters, with summer counting as a quarter, so I should be finished by mid-March next year if I progress into each quarter as planned. I've been told our school gives an ATI exam at the end of every quarter and you have to pass it to continue. I'll find out more hopefully at orientation the last week of this month. And I recently received my nursing assistant certification so I intend to work part-time while in school. I know that's not advised but I won't be receiving any aid after my first quarter so I'm going to need to make some money to pay for the rest of the program. I think this is worth the extra work, especially since I'm on the older side of the spectrum and would like to get this done so that I can start on my second life . Congrats to everyone who has received their acceptance letters!

LittleNC, I'm so sorry you didn't pass the skills part. My heart goes out to you because I too was so afraid of that portion. Oddly enough, you and I had the exact same skills. My ROM was for the shoulder. For handwashing, I've read to sing Happy Birthday in your head slowly and by the end of the song you will have scrubbed for at least 15 seconds. My instructor also reminded us that the 15 seconds is for the scrubbing portion, not the whole skill. So I was very careful to scrub for the song and then did my rinsing and drying. The upside is that now that you've gone through the skills part, you'll be more relaxed next time because you know what to expect. Just be sure to practice all the skills in your handbook because I don't know what the likelihood of your getting the same skills next time would be (other than handwashing which I assume every state requires as one of the skills). Good luck and relax and I'm sure you will be back on here in no time with a Pass result! :flwrhrts:

The last few weeks have been stressful to say the least but today I took my exam and I PASSED! :anpom::dncgcpd: The class ended a couple of weeks ago but we had to wait for the state to send the examiner so I've been on pins and needles all this time worried that I'd forget what I learned. And my state has a 25 minute time limit on the skills portion so that had me worried too. But I actually finished with time to spare! I am beyond excited and can't wait to start applying for some jobs. Now if I can just got that acceptance letter to LPN school then I'll be really happy! Congrats to everyone who's passed! Give yourself a big pat on the back.:)

Your classmates sound like jerks and I'd ignore their remarks. Take your cues from the instructor. And it's perfectly fine to ask how they are doing. We are supposed to be their first line of defense and how do we know if they are in pain or have some other problem if we don't ask! I'm in classes right now too and we haven't started our clinicals yet but we practice on the mannequin and all of my classmates ask how is "she" doing today. I say things like "would you like to sit up and watch tv?" We laugh because it is a bit hard to talk to a mannequin. Next week we start clinicals so we'll be able to see how to really interact. Also, in our book, it says to be in tune with the residents non-verbal cues as well. They might tell you they are doing fine today but if you notice they are holding their head or acting differently than they say they are feeling, then you can ask questions that will give you more information. I'm sure someone on this site who is already a CNA will be able to tell both you and me what to ask because I need help in that area too! In our book, the guidelines are to keep conversations on the resident or things in general like what the weather is like. We aren't supposed to talk about our personal problems with the resident or bring up our social life. If they ask us directly about something, then we can answer but not be too personal. And don't ask questions that will give you a yes or no answer if you need more information. Such as when feeding, don't say "Do you want some green beans" because if they say no, then you're put in a corner. Instead ask, "Would you like green beans next or some chicken?". Things that will help you help them. Good luck in your class and don't let your classmates influence how you interact with the residents.

jb2u, thank you for putting it into something I can read and evaluate. I do think with practice I'll feel better and we haven't even done clinicals yet. But I also know the "real world" and doing it the way the skill is written for the exam may not be the same thing. Pass or fail I'll come back and post when it's over. If I fail at least I'll know what to expect the next time (although I know it's likely I wouldn't get the same skills). I'm going to try and stay positive and just keep practicing. I tape recorded the steps for the skills I'm most worried about and then set the timer and practiced a little bit that way. I still have a month to prepare so I'm hopeful I'll be much calmer by then :) Edit: One thing I noted on your possible scenarios is more then one measurement. Is that common to get more then one measurement? The instructors are leading us to believe we'll get handwashing and one measurement and then it could be anything from the list for the other three but probably not another measurement. So that's why I'm a bit freaked out. There will be two fairly quick skills but then I could get bogged down with three time intensive skills. That's why I'm hoping to hear from people who did in fact take this type of exam and what skills they had.

I also posted in the GA Nursing thread but nobody has responded so I thought I might have better luck here. If you've taken the CNA exam in GA, or in a state that uses Promissor for the exam, I would appreciate some tips about the skills portion. In GA, we have only 25 minutes to complete 5 skills. I looked up the website and saw that many of the other states on Promissor's list also only give 25 minutes for 5 skills. All I know is that I will definitely have handwashing and then a measurement of some sort. I'm worried because some skills are more time consuming then others, especially if it requires water or making an occupied bed. I'm very nervous about running out of time which is automatic failure. I take the state exam at the end of February so I'm hoping I'll feel more comfortable by then but in the meantime it would be great to hear from anyone who made it through with this ridiculous time limit, or even if you had to retake it, what helped you pass the next time.

I'll be taking the state exam late February and I'm concerned about the 25 minute time limit to complete 5 skills. The instructor said the reason most people fail the skills part is because they run out of time. If any of you have taken the test, could you please give me some pointers? Even if you failed it and had to retake it, any advice would be greatly appreciated. I know I won't know what skills I'm getting other than handwashing, but it would be good to know if people usually have more than one water skill. I don't think I'll ever get the occupied bedmaking down in five minutes so I'll need to make up time in other areas. What helped you get your skills done fast without making mistakes? What steps can be tailored for speed without compromising points? I think making us do it in 25 minutes when in a real setting you wouldn't rush is ridiculous anyway but obviously people pass the exam. In the real world I know I'll have to be good with time management but I doubt I'll be expected to complete a full skill on a resident in five minutes. But the rules are the rules so until someone wises up and changes them, I need to get it done in the time allotted so that I can move forward in my nursing career. My next step is LPN school in March (hopefully) and then maybe RN. Help!

Wow, 2 hours - lucky you! I'm in a CNA course now and will take the exam late February. In Georgia you're given 5 skills and only have 25 minutes to do them! Handwashing is definitely one of them, another is definitely a measurement of some kind, and then the others can be anything. I'm pretty nervous about it. I don't know how long we get for the written part but I'm not too worried about it. Also, on the skills, I think we're allowed two times to go back and redo a part we think is wrong but the examiner isn't going to tell you if you did it wrong or not. And if decide to redo a skill, you have to do it before you move on to your next skill. I'm hoping that if we pass one part but fail the other, that we only have to retake the failed part. I haven't been able to get that clarified yet. Anyway, good luck to everyone taking it and be sure to come back in here and give some tips! I love the sing Happy Birthday tip and will be sure to use it.

Add me to the list of older people starting a nursing career! I just turned 40, in school for LPN, and will be taking a CNA course in January so that I can get some experience and income while in school. Good luck everyone!