avery157

In every facility there is the name and phone number of the Ombudsman who is an advocate for the resident. If you call them you might use the word "abuse" and "negligence" (which, in a sense IS what was happening to this man) and the Ombudsman will be there within 24 hours and will question the CNA's involved. You can also ask for the phone # of the state agency that comes in every 12-15 months to check out the place, you can call them and tell them what is happening. When you call the Ombudsman they will ask your name but will NOT use it when they come in. Just make sure you remind them NOT to use your name. This may sound extream but if we all don't report what we see these places will never get better and I would HATE for it to be my mother or father getting care like that. Thank you so much for caring!! Sarah

I would test in NC if I could because they use Promissor as their testing agency and Primissor is pretty easy to test with. But you need to know that if you get your license in NC will it transfer to where ever you are moving to. I would not test in TN they use Headmaster and their skills test is crazy. So, call registry of the state you are moving to and see if you can transfer your CNA licence from NC there without any more testing, etc. KY registry 502-329-7047. Call NC and see if they will let you take the test there and get the paperwork for the test. Their number is 919-733-2786. And if you need TN's number it is 888-310-4650. I don't know what testing agency KY uses it may be Thomson Prometric and they are OK so if you want to test in KY with them that would be good. The best way to start is to call them all and make sure that they will except your education and not make you take any classes. Then be sure that the state you will be living in will take a license from the other state. Good Luck.

You hit the nail on the head. Thanks

With your experence you should not have too much trouble getting a job. Often it is not about your experence but how you go about applying for the job and about how well you interview. You can't just send out an application and wait for someone to call. You call them a day or so after you know they have your app. You ask them if there is any other information they need or if you can come in for an interview because you would love the work in their facility. If you don't sound up bet, and exciteded like you are ready to work they will move on to someone who does. If you are going in for an interview you must get ready. Dress in nice clothes, groom your hair neatly, take off excess jewelry and not to much makeup. How is your breath? This all may sound pretty extreme but ask ANY employment agency and they will tell you that the interviewer makes up his/her mind about you in the first 10 seconds. How is your handshake? Do you look the interviewer in the eye when you talk to them? Smile and say please and thank you. I am sure you can find a lot of interviewing for a job information online. After an interview you write a letter and thank them for their time and ask if there is any more information they need from you. Also call after an interview and talk to the interviewer and thank them, etc. Many people think getting a job is just filling out an application and handing it in. It can be as much work, especially in a tight job market, as doing the job once you get it. Good Luck and keep trying, you'll get it!!

Please forgive my bad typing. OK, I have taught the CNA class for 10 years and I know where you are coming from. Headmaster is a BAD testing agency but of course you are stuck with them. We had them for a year in CO. and their skills steps in the handbook are pitiful. But again that is no help to you. Your friends in class will not pass if they do their short cuts. The RN grading has a list of steps of the skill in front of her and if you don't do the step you are counted off. How many steps you can miss before you fail even she does not know. If you have any questions you can call Headmaster and they will answer them. Your instructor did not have to add more steps. It will not hurt if you do them but it won't make you pass either. On bloodpressure you need to pump it up between 160-180mmHg. I have all my students buy their own cuff and scope so they can practice all the time. The video will show you how to do bloodpressures. (allheart.com sells them pretty cheap) If you don't have anyone to practice on at home you can use a doll or teddybear and still learn. In most states if you fail the skills you can take it again. Not that you want to think about failing but I tell my students that it is not the end of the world. We all fail at stuff all the time, just don't quit! Take if again and most of the time they pass the second time because they know what to expect. I have other tips on the website on preparing for the test. Good Luck!!

She is so right!!

Allll Rightttt!!!!

The hospitals always say they want experenced people until they get desperate. We tell our students if they have trouble getting work to come and see us. We never have anyone come in and say they can't get work. There are plenty of places to work even if you have no experence. After 6 months you can start looking for a better job that wants experence. I don't think you will have trouble.

First, write down all the questions that you have like the one about the trash. Before you start your exam you can ask the evaluator any question you want. Since I don't know what state you are in I don't know what testing agency you have so I can't be more detailed in helping you on test day. Take a few deep breaths before you go in. Deep breathing really helps to calm and focus you. I know it can be hard to pretend someone you know well is a resident you are caring for and some people giggle when they are nervous or selfconscious. I don't know how to help you with that other then practicing on a family member like you were in the test room and see how you do. Dress in scurbs (unless you were told differently) you look professional. Tie long hair back and take off jewlery(all these things might get in your way). Be sure to be on time!! Say the worst happens, in most states you can take it again so don't make it the end of the world. YOU CAN DO THIS. If you have to take it again I can almost guarantee you that you will pass because you will know what to expect so your nerves will be less. Some people have such a fear of failure that they give up or worse never try at all. You are moving forward, feel good about that! You are not going to quit, feel good about that! And because of that you WILL make it. Good Luck, I know you can do it!

I have taught the CNA class for years and I have seen my students everywhere there is healthcare. Doctor's offices, disabled children, labs so on. The CNA certification was started because of elderly abuse so that is why it is all geared twards them. You may want to consider home care. There are many home care agencies out there. Home care is one on one care. It is a good place to start, less stressful. Then you get experence and can then go into other enviorments. Also consider volunteering (even if it is only a few hours a week) in a hospital with children (if that is your thing) and when they get to see what a good worker/on time/ reliable person you are by the time you get your CNA license they may find a spot for you and even if not you have experence!! Good Luck!

Make sure they are certified by the state. If they are not you will not be able to take the state test and get licensed!! Call 678-527-3010 this is the Georgia Health Partnership. They will also have a list of classes in your area. I think the problem is not working on the skills you need to know to pass your state test. I think the main thing is being sure this class is approved by the state so you can take the state test when you are done otherwise you have wasted your money and that is a lot of money!! Good Luck!!

You can also call the and CA. Nurse Aide Registry at ***** They will have a list of all the certified classes in your area.

You might think about going to a home health care agency like Summit Home Healthcare and tell them what days or nights you would like to work. Then they will only call you for jobs at your specified times. So even if you only work one day or weekend a month you are still in the game. Home care is much less stressful then hospitals or facilities. Night work in a home is nice and quiet and you make more money on that shift. It may be a good place for you to start. Good Luck!

Peri-care and catheter care are done on the mannequin. A lot depends on what state you are in. The testing agency in your state gives you all the information on how your CNA test will be done. If you go to avanzaedu.org you will find information on the 3 main testing agencies out there. Promissor, Headmaster and Prometric. If you don't know which one is in your state you can find out on this site. There is also a Skills Video that has all the skills demonstrated for you step by step. You can read about what to expect on the day of your test and you can also call any of the testing agencies and ask questions. There are tips on how to get ready for your test as well. The more you now what to expect the day of the test the less nervous you are. You are doing the right thing by asking questions!! Good Luck!!

YOU CAN DO IT!! I have been teaching the CNA class for 9 years and there is no one we could not get through and pass the state test. We had one lady with only a 3rd grade education pass and become a licensed CNA. We had to do extra work (spend extra time) with her but she is now a happy employed CNA. Of course you may not have instructures that are patient or helpful and are having a bad day themselves but you will be fine. DO NOT GIVE UP!! It sounds like you have alot of stressful stuff going on and that would effect anyone. You have to decide if you can ride it out or not. I bet you can. There is a video of all the skills you will be working on in your class and the skills you need to know for your state test. You can check it out at avanzaedu.org GOOD LUCK. Please don't give up, we need you out there!

Yes! That is my advice, report the facility to the state. If we don't do that then those horrible facilities will continue to opperate. Thankfully there are less and less of them but it is up to us as CNA's to get the word out about the bad ones. An employee can only be as good as the employer gives them the tools and support to be.

A little of both. You will get some training on respecting privacy (HIPA). It also depends on the facility you are going to work for. Places like nursing homes are often so short staffed you have to get right in and work without alot of training. Just review the skills you learned in your CNA class (like changing beds, or helping someone from the bed to a wheelchair, ect.) and do it that way for any of your residents that need help. Everyone is afraid the first few days of any job. Just remember how much the people you are caring for need you and do your best. Good Luck

I would call them on the phone 800-852-0518 and ask.

If a resident can stand (use his walker if he has one to hold onto) then changing them standing up is OK but this residents sounds like he was struggling and there is no need for that. It is easy to change someone in bed by just rolling them from side to side (gently). Unfortunately there are still many nursing homes that take Medicare, etc. that are over booked and understaffed. You can call the Ombudsman and report the facility. The name and number MUST be displayed in a common area in the facility. They will ask your name on the phone but WILL NOT use it in the facility. Each facility is inspected by the state every 12-15 months. Sounds like they need a suprise inspection today. Your careing is why we so desperatly need good CNA's out there working. Thank you for all you are doing!!!

I think the CNA is the place to start. You can get the training in a short amount of time with the least amount of money. You can then start working and making money while you go to school for other stuff. EMT is good but there will not be as many job oppertunities. CNA jobs are everywhere.

In most state the CNA class is only good for a few years but it never hurts to call your state agency to see what they say. Sometimes it is good to take the class again anyway so passing the test is easier. If I know what state you are in I can give you the number of the state agency to call.