joolia

Run. as fast as you can. Any man who is insecure enough to feel threatened by you wiping poop off of a 90 year old man's member is surely just showing you the tip of his abusive, controlling iceberg. \

Suit. Definitely. Frankly, I am shocked that a nursing website would encourage you to attend a career fair wearing anything less.

Sure. There are tons of ABSN programs out there that do not require a previous Bachelor's degree - they usually just require a certain # of credits - both of nrusing prereqs and ged ed requirements (think history, english, humanities, etc.) Probably your best resourse is to go to the discover nursing website - you can search for schools all over the country that offer ABSN programs, and then visit the individual webistes to figure out which ones don't require a previous degree. The one caveat to consider is that most of these schools are either private and or you would have to pay out of state tuition rates to go there. Plus, factoring in the costs associated with relocating, and living expenses while you are there. A lot of these schools are in areas with much higher costs of living than Northern Louisiana. Are you willing to spend $40-50k to be done with nursing school a year sooner than if you did a ADN program, or basic BSN program at your local university? - Will that extra year of nurse's salary offset the cost of going to the more expensive school? It's a personal decision to make based on your current situation, but I think it is worth pointing out that the shortest path may not necessarily be the most advantageous for you in the long run.

If you think that's scary, wait until you here this... In Florida, CNAs are allowed to function in ALFs as Med Techs, as long as they have taken a 4 hour class on administering self assisted medicines. I took the class and it was a total joke. We learned how to open a pill container, and put a pill in a medicine cup w/o touching it. We didn't learn anything about dosage, how to make sure we are giving the right pill to the right person, drug interactions, etc. So, for Floirda at least, the response to the nursing shortage, in LTC, at least, seems to be to "train" low skilled workers to perform certain nursing functions, almost assembly-line style, and hire fewer nurses to "manage" them. Since their nursing staff is spread thinner, they are saving $ in staffing costs, while not having to hire nurses from a depleted pool of applicants. It is a win-win situation for the LTC staff, but it seems like the patients are the ones left holding the short end of the stick.

I wonder if the nursing/NP route is even the best fit for you. What you want to do sounds to me like you would be better served getting a degree in Public Health or Social Work. If you are going to train to become a nurse, you will be working in a hospital for the bulk of your career. Yes, there are non-hospital type nursing careers, but they require clinical experience. If you really want to do nursing research, a Phd in nursing might be your best bet.

Never say never! At least, not until your get your rejection letter. I am in the same boat as you, waiting to find out whether I got into an ADN program with a January 09 start date. I'm not familiar with Michigan schools, as I live in FL, but I wonder if you have considered doing LPN first, then bridging to RN later? I applied to an LPN school, because the RM schools in my area are next to impossible to get into. People with 3.8 regularly get turned away. However, with the bridge program LPN-RN, everyone gets in, it is a waiting list. I figure I don't mind waiting on a waiting list for a few years to become an RN, if I am happily working as an LPN while I wait! Anyway, I just found out about a week ago that I got a seat in the LPN class for January 2009! So, it does help ease my verves while I wait for the RN acceptance. I know I am guaranteed to start nuring school in January, I'm just waiting to find out if it will be RN or LPN!!

You are putting unnecessary strain on your body and your mind by trying to force yourself to switch back and forth between working days and nights in the same week! No wonder you are feeling horrible! I think a much better idea would be to ask about working all nights. As one of the other poster's mentioned, it will allow your body to readjust its circadian rhythm to sleeping during the day and working at night. Once your body gets in the grove, you wil;l feel 1000x better!!! Or, if you do have to work some days during the month, try to set up your schedule so you work all nights for 2 weeks, then all days for two weeks. I don't know your situation, but I have a feeling you might be trying to alternate your nights/days so that your schedule will coincide more with your hubby's. But, if you are sleeping and/or feeling hungover and grouchy whenever you two are together, that's not really a quality of relationship. Better to see each other less often, but be feeling 100% during that time. I'm working nights/weekends right now as a CNA, while DBF works M-F 9-5. I means we have to get a little creative about scheduling time to see each other, but we make it work. Getting together between the time he gets home from work and I have to leave to make me 11-7 shift seems to work the best for us.

sorry to be blunt, but if you are thinking that being an RN is a good sub for those who do not want to spend the time or $ to go to medical school, you are in for a very rude awakening.

If you are considering becoming a nurse, why not go and get your CNA? That is what I did, because I am a career changer also. I was able to become certified for a low cost rather quickly, and it gave me an opportunity to get a job in a medical setting, and get a first hand look at what nurses do. I also got an opportunity to expose myself to some of the nitty gritty duties of a nurse, toileting, changing beds, etc. I was worried when I went into it that the work would be really tough. I have found that while it is the most difficult work I have ever done, it is also the most rewarding. I feel like I have truly found my calling in life. And, I am so excited that I will be starting LPN school in January!!!

I'm a CNA in FL. We do VS, but we are not legally allowed to do BG. That falls under a nurses scope of care.

It might be worth mentioning that this particular individual was fresh out of LPN school, and this is her first job. I think there is a huge difference between delegating responsibility to CNAs and naively thinking that nurses never do ADLs.

Thanks everyone for your responses. It is good to know that I am not the only one that has picked up on this trend. Unfortunately, I am starting to notice a pattern in the attitude of the LPNs at this facility. This seems to be a pretty common occurrance - LPNs turning a blind eye to call lights, ignoring residents when they ask for help. It is not even that they come and get one of us, they almost act as if they don't even see or hear the resident. It's really sad. Luckily, we have an amazing new ADON, who is an RN/BSN. She leads by great example. She is definitely not above answering a call light and assisting a resident to the toilet if she is closet to it when it goes off. Or, if she stops by to talk to you while you are in a room making a bed, she will grab a corner of the sheet and help you out. I'm hoping that her positive example will help turn this place around. At the very least, as many of you mentioned, it is giving me a perfect example of the kind of LPN/RN I do NOT want to be!!!!

Yesterday, I had an inservice at work (LTC) and I sat next to a new LPN. (I'm a CNA.) During one of the breaks, we struck up a conversation, and I asked her where she had done her LPN. I also mentioned to her that I was currently in the lottery at the two local technical schools in our area to get into their LPN programs for the 08-09 school year, that I was considering taking a look at the private (and very $$$$) LPN school she went to, AND that I had an application in at the RN-ADN program at our local community college, which is very competitive selective admissions. She asked me why I decided to become a CNA before LPN/RN, and I said, "Because I wanted an inexpensive, quick way to get basic training so I could get out in the healthcare setting, and see whether nursing was a good fit for me." (I'm a career changer.) and, that I wanted to learn the basic ADL stuff, and get that over with, so that I woudl feel that I had that part of it under my belt before I started NS. Her response: "I didn't. I don't really see how CNA is relevant to being a nurse. I mean, you have to do all those things when you are in nursing school, (referring to ADLs) but you stop doing them as soon as you become a nurse." I have noticed this type of attitude a lot since I started down this journey to go from corporate cube jockey to nurse. I've noticed it ith my LPN coworkers, and I have also noticed it a lot here on the boards. Is this a relatievly new phenomenon? Where are these new nurses picking this up? In school? Media portrayal of the nursing profession? What gives?

As far as your test, I wouldn't worry yoursellf too much. If you get transferring, you will be performing the task on a fellow CNA test-taker, not a patient. So, they will be able to stand, pivot, etc. with ease. You are just really demonstrating to the rater that you know how to go through the motions. Once you actually get out on the floor, the best recommendation I can make is to use your gait belt, and get the wheelchair as close to the bed as possible. And, don't underestimate the value of talking to the resident before you attempt to transfer - the resident may have a "usual" way of gettting up that allows them to help you - they may just want you to help them get their legs in a dangling position, and then they can scooch themslves into a standing position. I also second the poster who daid getting into bed with the patient and or kneeling on the patient's bed is a bad idea. That is horrible infection control, and I know at my facility, if a CNA did that while State was here on an inspection, our facility would be in huge trouble, and likely that CNA would lose their job.

I would have done my CNA in high school. Then, I would have enrolled in a 4 year university that offerend nursing and done my BSN. Or, I would have joined the army after hs, and after my three years of active service, joined the army nurse corps, to get my RN/BSN, and eventually CRNA.

I think each person has to choose their own path. For me, it makes the most sense to choose the shortest cheapest path to becoming an RN. I just don't have the luxury of the time or the $$$$$$ to do a DEMSN, knowing that when I graduate, I will be making the same amount of money as an RN with an associates degree. In fact, I will probably be making less than her, because it only took her 4 semesters to get her RN, to my 3 YEARS to get a DEMSN. Therefore, by the time I graduate, she's already been working for 2 years, and has built up more tenure than I have. Even if it takes me longer to get there, I'd rather just get my RN the quickest, cheapest way possible - then let my employer pay me to become an advanced practice nurse through tuition reimbursement.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. As a formal HR rep, I can tell you that 9 times out of 10, if a company approaches an employee about a voluntary resignation, it is because they have no legal grounds to terminate them - yet. Must companies have very strict formal performance improvement measures that must be initiated before an employee can be terminated for not accurately performing the essential functions of their position. As a way to get around the song and dance of going through this performance improvement process, supervisors will try to intimidate the employee into voluntarily resigning. Now, it is difficult to know the specifics of this case, but most companies will want a written documentation of where the employee's deficiencies are, as well as a documented performance improvement plan where the employee is given specific parameters as to how performace must improve, and within a specific timeline. Only after this has occured is termination an option. We live in a lawsuit happy society, and company's are not willing to open themselves up to litigation unnecessarily. On the other hand, if a supervisor can just guilt a bad employee into quitting, they have taken the path of least resistance to get rid of the problem, and avoided the potential for possible litigation down the road. Now, if you have walked through the entire process, been formally written up, been on a pip, etc. then yes. It is absolutely preferrable to resign rather than be terminated. But, OP didn't seem to indicate that this was the case. I think that this situation really highlights a valuable lesson. For new grads getting higher in high-acuity specialties, I would want it spelled out specifically during the offer stage what would happen if I'm not able to get up to speed fast enough in this unit to perform safely. If there is no possibility to transfer to med-surg if I am still struggling after orientation, I would be very hesitant to accept that job offer, even if they were offering to let me work on my dream unit as a brand-new nurse.

I would be more concerned with the sugar than the electrolytes. What if the residents are diabetic?

Yes, I also find it quite odd that the manager didn't give you the opportunity to xfer to med/surg, or another area with less acuity. Have you actually resigned yet? Or Has she just approached you about resigning? If you haven't actually resigned yet, I wouldn't voluntarily do so.

^My thoughts exactly.^ Don't hate the player. Hate the game. Regardless of my philosophical beliefs on the state of nursing, if I can take a 4 hour course that will allow me to get hired as a "med tech" rather than a plain old CNA, to the tune of an extra $.50 an hour while I'm working/waiting my turn to get into nursing school, then I am all about it.

I can only speak for the state of Florida, where all CNAs train in nursing homes. I know you are excited and eager to work in L&D, or the nursery, and your time will come. However, as you mentioned in your OP, you need to do your CNA training in order to go to LPN school. So, think of this as a means to an end. Besides, if you approach your CNA clinicals with an open mind, you may be surprised to find out you actually enjoy working with the elderly. It is not at all uncommon for a cna/nursing student to have a preconceived notion of what department/specialty they wanted to work in, only to change their minds when they actually start doing clinicals.

Nevermind then. I don't know anything about Promissor's test. Do you already have a test date assigned, then? I can tell you that for the Prometrics CNA exam, they are incredibly particular about the way that the skills must be performed. I would advise you to study from Promissor's skill sheet, rather than the book, as our instructor explained that often the book and the skill sheet differ (the skill sheet is specific to your state, where as the book will be more generic, so it "fits" better with all the different nuances at the state level) if that makes any sense. The rater will go by the sill sheet - so even if you perform the skill perfectly as dexcribed in your book - if that is not the way it is described on the skill sheet, you will fail. Anyway, not meaning to pry or be rude, but I just find it odd that your nursing school would require you to have your CNA before you start, yet they would admit you even though you don't have it - knowing full well that it will be close to impossible for you to complete your CNA between when they admitted you and the start date of your class. I think expecting you to turn around and get your CNA license in 30 days is ridiculous - why even have it as a requirement, if it can't physically be met? Oh well. Good luck to you! I will have my fingers crossed for you - it is very very hard to pass as a challenger!!!

I would also not stress yourself out too much over having a resume, as most places will want you to fill out an application anyway. In my area, CNA jobs are so plentiful, that most places are simply concerned with whether you have your license, don't have a criminal background, and can pass a drug test. They could care less about your previous employment experience. When you go to fill out your application, include the position. They may not even care that you left that position after only 2 months. If they do bring it up in your interview, be prepared to provide them with an honest answer. The best advice I can give you when job hunting, is rather than fousing your energy on creating a resume you can fax or mail to your prospective employers, is to focus instead on actually physically visiting the locations you want to work, filling out your application, and trying to meet with a staffing coordinator while you are there. Most nursing homes and ALFs are notriouly swamped with paperwork, and it is easy for a faxed or sent resume from even the most talented CNA to get lost in the shuffle and ignored.

I have no experience with L&D, but I just don't get what the fuss is all about. Seems like everyone wants to work L&D. That, or the NICU. I just don't get the attraction. I guess it must be the kid thing, but I don't get it. I'd rather have an adult pt. any day of the week!

You might want to ask the school that is givign your CNA class. At mine, they offer the passing meds class for an extra $20. It is a 4 hour course. I am taking it Saturday, so I can let you know what it is like. From my understanding, becoming a med tech does not in any way replace what an LPN does. It allows you to be able to do stuff like hand-out asprin and routine rx. Assessments, and hading out more complex meds (insulin, bp, narcotics, etc.) still is the function of a nurse. I don't think it is necessarily something one would consider as a career alternative to an LPN. More like a resume padder for a CNA.