la mama 310

Hi all, I am a CNA and RN hopeful for 2010. My mom has bi-polar and is hospitalized now for her manic bi-polar disorder. My family and I are going for full conservatorship because this has been a long ordeal. That may not happen because it is tough to get, although she desperately needs help from us with all aspects of her life. My q is, when a person is 1) has no insight to their illness 2)gravely disabled 3) non-compliant w/ meds 4) extreme history of non-compliance with meds ... is there any way as a family member I can help with the administering of these meds as a CNA. The doc said there is a long lasting shot for Risperdol which is approved for bi-polar, but is best paired w/ lithium from my understanding. Is it ethical or even legal to crush up medicine and put it in food for someone who desperately needs it but doesn't take it? She goes through periods where she might take it, or half the dose, to not taking any at all. Currently she refused her medication today and wants to live at a homeless shelter, she is under a psychiatric hold though. I also have heard that there are some assisted living places that have CNA's that will stand there and watch her take her meds. She will very easily refuse and I know that with a large amount of patients, I don't think it's realistic to expect the CNA to stay with a woman who is likely going to cause a scene about it and a big fuss (she is really mean when not medicated) . I'm not sure what to do, I thought someone in this community might have some insight on this topic, we are racking our brains trying to come up with a solution that is best for her... because getting 51/50 repeatedly is a stressfull situation that does not need to keep happening!!!

It helps alot! I am a little scared at the possibility of starting IV's but I think I will be able to handle it. I used to get queezy looking at someone with a g tube. Now I can bathe someone with a Gtube, and give bed baths, feed and do denture care. Yeah it's not lovely I know. But it really is helping me transition from the civilian world to the world of nursing. Also now I am in the habit of checking my resident up and down before leaving and documenting things. I feel it just gives me an extra year of experience in this field while finishing my pre reqs.

Well for some of us I think it helps alot. The nursing home training can be kind of shocking. Especially if you don't have experience caring for other people's basic needs. (like children or elderly parents) Nursing school goes fast from what I hear and there is alot of information to learn. The CNA training helps me to shift my mind to a "clinical" aspect. Before leaving your resident, you do an up and down inspection and document it. I'll be a CNA for about 8 months before starting nursing school I am doing my pre reqs too, I feel I will be well prepared. Starting IV's, shots used to make me queezy.

I didn't take any test yet, I'll take it at the next application period. Do you think you did well?

O.k. great input. In addition to that you could check for denture cracks, overall safety of the environment (loose, old cords, ect. ), expired food, ask them what they ate, range of motion, ask them if they bathes, help them with the meal for the day?

with Home Health Aid jobs is it usual to be cleaning all day long if you visit once a week?

I'm taking anatomy and Introduction to chemistry. The chemistry is killing me. I hate it absolutely. If I get a C i'll be lucky. I am getting an A in anotomy. How imortand is chemistry, I'm thinking about dropping it so it doesn't ruin my GPA. I only took it to get into Micro and Phsyio, but I might not need it. Can I drop this course? I've found it's not a pre req for alot of schools, just seems to be a pre req for micro . Is it importand for the teas?

yeah do it

I'm applying for RN school soon and now finishing up my CNA clinicals. I heard some folks who are going to be LVNS dissing CNA's saying it's not good work. Becoming an LVN, RN is not about passing out pills and starting IV's only.

Anyone who wants to be a nurse should try becoming a CNA. As a nurse you will have times when you have to do the same jobs that CNA's do. It is hard work and demands you are compassionate, ethical & patient. I feel if a person is not willing to work as a CNA for one year, they shouldn't become an RN.

Alot of people go into nursing because of the money and the job security. They are sucky nurses who are mean and lazy. Nursing is for those individuals who are compassionate and hard workers. And if you don't want to clean up others rear ends, clean up poop and vomit, it that disgust you. Then go TO ANOTHER FIELD.

Yeah home health seems alot better for all of the above reasons.

I think my friend's son is autistic. I recognize the signs because my bro is autistic, her bro is autistic also. Our kids have played together for 3 years now. Hers is now 6. This was the 1st year he went to a special school after having a hard time in regular kindergarden. She hasn't told me anything about him being autistic ever. She recently told me he has a problem because English is not is native language. I don't think she is being honest with me or maybe not herself. I don't have a problem with our kids playing together at all, but I would want her to trust me with info and maybe I could help her find resources that she is unaware of. I could go into the symptoms but they are typical. I don't understand why someone would be ashamed of this and how could they keep something so big a secret. I would think the more people you have on your side you could tap into more resources, nutritionist, play therapists, ect.. But she tells me .... he is just excited, he is only learning a new language, he is tired, he wants to go here, he wants to go there . I've never hinted that he may be autistic because I wouldn't want to hurt her feelings. I've suspected this for 2 1/2 years though and wonder why I can't be let in on the truth if we are so close, and children are close? thanks for your input

yeah it's pricey but if pass the boards, you will have a job.

WHAT! My friend applied recently she already got her letter for one school. I know of one person who has waited two years. He applied to one school.