ZoeK

I had a female patient tell me that a male CNA made her feel so comfortable when he helped her to the bathroom. She said she thought she would be uncomfortable as she thought of her son and husband and how they would not have been able to do what he did. I think if you be positive, respectful, and matter-of-fact about it you can likely get many people to accept you. I have had male patients ask for a male to help them. I have also had male patients insist on total privacy. Usually, when a patient requests a CNA of a specific gender, we try to accommodate them (and women usually request women more than men request men). Heh heh. Once, I had a man request help using the urinal. As I was occupied with something his male nurse came to help him. The patient quickly decided he would be fine on his own. I thought that was funny. :) I don't think your coworkers should fuss at you. On the other hand, if you're acting mousy, the patients could be noticing this (subconsciously or not) and asking for someone else to help them. Just act confident about it and most will just accept that you are the one to help them. Good luck. I remember when I was did some of my first CNA work early on. I was nervous, too. I am still not that experienced, so I guess that tells you that it won't be long before you and your patients are way more comfortable doing all this personal stuff. I am a female CNA.

I asked my examiner if it was required prior to the exam. She said yes, so I did it. I told her I'd never seen it done in actual practice. She agreed that this was so, but said to do it just for the test.

DoraDollie, I had no idea that you could get hired as a pharmacy tech without training or experience! Do you mind if I ask what the usual entry-level pay is? I think it sounds like a great job for someone who wants to attend nursing school! What a great way to learn all the drugs!!!

Thank you, RainDreamer! It would actually take a bit longer as the Banner Nurse Fellows Program would start sooner than the GCU program. (I agree that four months is short. I also think that nine months or even a year isn't that much longer.) I am beginning to think that the length of the program isn't as important as where I want to work, Banner or St. Joe's. I wonder if there are more opportunities for a new nurse at Banner or St. Joe's... My sister is encouraging me to go with Banner because of its massive size, which she equates with opportunity. I am impressed with St. Joe's focus on trauma and neurology... I don't know as much about Banner's specialty areas. Hmmm...I don't even know for certain what type of nursing that I want to do. I am interested in working in the OR, EP, or maybe ICU, but I am not certain.

You might get the CNA if you want to work as a CNA while going to LVN school. Working as a CNA will help you get comfortable around patients. One thing to remember: you will always make mistakes. Think of athletes --when they miss a ball or trip...everyone sees. But they get up and keep going. I try to think of that when I do dumb things. Remind myself that I've got to pick myself up and keep playing the game. It also doesn't hurt to laugh at yourself (even if you are deeply mortified inside at the moment --that feeling will usually pass).

Jen1228 gave you good advice...."wash hands, identify patient, lock bed or wheel chair, provide for privacy by pulling curtain or door shut." It can be a little strange as they might have you say that you washed your hands rather than actually do it. For me, that was a bit odd. Don't forget to write down any readings you take, e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, etc. Good luck. I was very nervous when I took my test, too.

If you were prepared to attend Grand Canyon University's 20-month BSN program in Aug. 2008 and then you were offered a chance to attend the 16-month Banner Nurse Fellows ADN program, which would you do, especially if you planned on getting your BSN (and later, a master's degree)? I work at St. Joe's and I am really impressed with them. On the other hand, Banner is huge, and has some really nice facilities around the valley. If I were to choose the Banner program, I think this would mean leaving St. Joe's at some point. The speed of Banner's program is tempting, but it really wouldn't take that much longer to get the BSN with GCU. On the other hand, I could get the ADN with Banner and then go for an RN-to-BSN pretty quick. This is a hard decision. I think that I probably will do okay with either one, but I was curious what you all might have to say. I don't mind that GCU has a religious affiliation.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of per diem work compared to pool and regular staffing? Thank you.

I thought "per diem" and "pool" were the same thing. It turns out that if one is hired per diem, one is paid at the same rate as a staffer --BUT WITH NO BENEFITS!!! If one is hired as a pool worker, one is paid at a higher rate and does not receive benefits. What do you guys think about per diem work? What are the pros and cons? Thank you.

Does anyone have any advice on whether phlebotomy is a good job to have while waiting to attend and/or attending nursing school? Thank you!:monkeydance:

Does anyone have any advice on whether phlebotomy is a good job to have while waiting to attend and/or attending nursing school? I have found phlebotomy classes at Phoenix College and at Pima Medical Institute. Some posts here (from other states) noted that hospitals and blood banks trained phlebotomists for free as they needed the workers. I haven't heard of that here, however. I am curious about what phlebotomists make around here, if they get any benefits, and if they find their management works with them as they attend school, etc. Thank you!:monkeydance: