berly57

I am an LNA in VT and will be moving to Greensboro sometime this summer. I have only had my license since last Oct and have been working at a wonderful facility since then. My husband suddenly died around Thanksgiving and am moving to be near my daughter who lives in Greensboro. Are there any LTC facilities with good reputations that I might check into for a job. From the research I have done I am assuming I can challenge the Nurse Aide I test and get my license that way. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks Sonomala -- any particular textbook you would recommend?

Hi all -- I'm going to post this under the NC forum also, but wanted to see if I could get a definitive answer on a question. I am currently CNA in LTC facility here in Vermont -- have been since October last year. Will be moving to NC this year sometime. I got on the BON site but am still confused (a little bit slow here, I think). I know there is no reciprocity w/NC. Can I test out of CNA I in NC and then take a course for CNA II. I'm also a little confused on difference between the two. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. FYI I had planned on maybe moving to New Bern area but think now I will move to Raleigh (where my daughter is) as there looks like there may be more opportunities and maybe better pay. Thank you.

Good luck Sonomala! I'm sure you'll do great. I was born at Camp Lejeune -- live in Vt now -- am going to move back down to NC to be nearer to my daughter who is in Raleigh. I'm thinking of moving to New Bern. Kind of scared, though, 51 yrs old and just started as a CNA in October. My husband died three weeks ago today, so it's very scary. Anyway, back to you -- you will do fine. Know that we're thinking of you.

Boy -- Are we way out of the loop. Vermont -- nursing home $8.50/hr w/$1.50 differential for both evenings and nights. And, our cost of living is high!!

Hey everyone -- I had been on another forum regarding CNA/LNA. Someone who was very jaded had said what the hell is so rewarding about this career. As a 51-yr-old who just started this career (and boy, do I wish I had started this earlier -- about 20 years ago when I first started thinking about it) -- this is what I posted. Hope it gives some of you newcomers some inspiration. I'm only making $8.50/hr which doesn't really help a lot but, seriously the rewards are worth it. Okay, I got my license -- yay!!! And let me tell you what's so rewarding in the few short weeks I've worked -- and, yes, I know you'll sit there and say I'm naive, don't know what I've gotten myself into, etc., but -- keep in mind, I am 51 years old and here's what IS SO REWARDING: (so far) 1: Having an 82-yr-old ex-boxer AL resident, who for the last two years, has been totally combative with everyone he has come in contact with, has not spoken an intelligible word, has been totally dependent -- for the past five days -- for me -- has spoken, has hugged me, has arm wrestled me, has thanked me. And, yes, I realize that AL patients go through phases -- BUT 2: Having another resident who is "combative" who the charge nurse says you have to "order him" to do things and has gotten hit numerous times -- however, I talk to him and listen to him (even though it's word salad) and have yet to have a problem with him -- he holds my hand -- goes to bed (which he won't do for the 3-11 shift at all) and sleeps through the night -- 3: My 100-yr-old "combative" female resident who gives "everyone" a hard time -- for the 9th night in a row -- sees me and says, you are so nice to me, you speak to me like I'm a lady, I love you, you treat me like a person." THOSE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE REWARDING MOMENTS SO FAR IN MY SHORT-LIVED LNA CAREER -- but how I wish I had done this so much earlier. Thanks for listening, Kimberly

Hi CSAB -- I'm a 51-yr-old who obtained my license last month and am working in a nursing home. I have had lower back problems all my life but decided to try to see if I could do this. Like one of the previous posters, for some reason, I've found that my back does not bother me at all now -- perhaps muscles have built up or something. Anyway, as long as you're careful, I say go for it!!! I really enjoy working with the residents. Of course, it does make a difference that I work the night shift -- but still doing rounds every 2 hours, you have to roll patients, etc, and I've had no problems. Hope this helps.