srkerk

Not that I know of...I work for THR and there are no CNA courses through those hospitals (all of them). So that would leave Baylor, Health South, and JPS. Good luck! :redpinkhe

Hi Dondie! I am working nights, 3 twelve hour shifts. Picks Emma up from daycare at night and a baby sitter will come and watch her for an hour until I get home because he leaves before I get home. The first week of June is when I start nightshift. Hopefully you can have something figured out soon. For 3 days of daycare we pay $183 for a 10 month old. It will go down when she starts walking, but it is sick how much they charge.

Hopefully that CNA course comes with a White Gold Stethescope!

Keep us posted on what you do! I can't wait to hear what you turn out to do!!!

Congrats and good luck! :yeah:Let us know how class and clinicals go!!!!!

1. What is the difference in actual job duties? CNAs are what the titles is...They assist the nurses. MAs/PCTs are really no different. MAs and PCTs have the same training really which includes phlebotomy, EKG, and basic nursing skills. PCTs mainly work in hospitals while MAs are seen more in the doctor's office. You can get a job in a hosptial as a PCT and MA, but MA only in a doctor's office. 2. Which certification is most useful when applied to an RN? I would get your CNA. If you are in nursing school, they would hire you first semester after clinicals because the first semester is like taking a CNA course (that is what our instructor told my class when I took it 2 months ago). Plus, if you pair up with a hospital they can help you with tuition reimbersument. My job offers up to $5200/yr for school! 3. Which certification has the best job outlook? According to the Department of Labor statistic's all three have the best outlook. Any thing healthcare does these days. You should have no problem finding a job at all!!! 4. Which certification is most likely to lead to a job with more patient care and less office work? CNA and PCT would be more hands on with patients. CNA/PCT/MA will all have their fair share of paperwork. It really just depends on the facility you work in too and what their protocall is. But CNAs/PCTs in a hosptial would give you the patient contact the most. 5. Is it feasible to get any of these certifications online? If so, does anyone know of reputable programs? DO NOT GET YOUR CERT ONLINE! For a number of reasons...First, it is a HUGE liability for you and your employer if you are trained on the internet. Think about it, would you want someone drawing blood from you who just took a look on the interent? 2. A lot of online schools are scams, especially St. Augustine...3. Though it may seem like a good idea, how are you going to get an externship? How are you going to get patient content so you can practice your skills?? Please don't take me the wrong way, I am not trying to be a mean person, but I looked into this too and I would hate for someone to waste money like I almost did. I hope all this info was helpful! Good luck

Vanessa I couldn't agree more with you!!!!! :redbeathe Kitcat, you can do this and you are going to make a fab nurse. I have faith in you!!

First of all, big hug! The first day of clinicals is rough on a lot of people because it really is hard work! The moving, the bathing, the brief changing, the ambulating, and the emotional strain it can do. Yes, it sucks, these sweet old people have detoriated and they can't do much for themselves. However the thought of you thinking about your loved ones shows a great deal of empathy and any facility needs people like you! :heartbeat It gets better, at least it did for me! I am not sure if you plan to work in an LTC or a hospital, but whatever your goal it gets easier. Soon you will be know exactly what to do, how to do it, and do it efficently. I promise!! If you go through and read a lot of these posts on this forum you will find the most inspirational stories to keep you going. THANK YOU CNA FORUM!!! I know they have kept me going! I remember my first day...I had to help care for a 350 pound alz. resident who was total care. So 145 pound me vs. 350 pound resident got exhausting fast!!! I just kept thinking is my CNA life going to be like this forever? Each day?? The whole way home I cried and told my husband I made a huge mistake, but like I said, it got easier My clincals got easier, dots got connected in class, and it was fab! Well, for the most part it was until the LTC I was at failed their audit and we didn't have a clinical site 2 weeks before my test (whole nother story and rant). Just keep positive!!! Keep going! If not for you, than for the residents who want to be cared for with respect and love. When your class is done and you still think nursing isn't for you, it is okay!! There are million other opportunities for you to explore. Just be thankful you found out now before committing yourself to nursing school and then being out $30,000 or whatever it costs for nursing school. Sorry this is so lengthy and I hope that I could help someway. For now, take one clincal and class period at a time. I promise it will get better!!! :redpinkhe

From what I hear LTCs pay around $ 9 - 11/hr. Negotiable wage is an easy way out. You don't want to put way more than what they will pay you, but don't want to put anything too low. I, personally, would put negotiable on the application. :heartbeat HTH =)

Hey all! I am starting my job at the hosptial next week, but orientation only. I am getting really nervous about my job because it is 7pm - 7am. Although I am super excited and know I can do this, people keep putting in their comments like "WOW! How are you going do this?"..."What about sleep??"..."It is so bad for you"..."Becareful you are goingt to gain wait!!" Thanks for the support everyone...NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:angryfire So 3rd shifters, how do you keep your sanity? How do you juggle sleep, family, and food?? HELP!!! :heartbeat

Thank you and good luck you as well!! Like I said call call call them LOL! They are swamped with applications and this is a good way for you to stand out. =)

UT at Arlington *might* be having an LVN program, but this is 2 years away if they decide to do it. Also Career Center in Fort Worth is opening one up soon as well. HTH!

Hey there! I just got hired as a CNA in a hosptial, no expierence and recently cerified too! Next week is the begininng of orientation...I will learn how to draw blood, hook up an EKG, and since I working in Labor and Deliver, hooking up a fetal heart monitor. Go ahead and start applying to hosptials! Seriously...2 weeks after you apply call them. Call them until they answer the phone and say you want a status on your application. That is how I was blessed with my job =) GOOD LUCK and remember no question is silly/dumb!

Oh yes =) thank you for starting that thread!!! The thread is too busy so I can never play catch up with everyone. What have you been up to??:redpinkhe

Heck yeah for passing your exam and getting a job =) :heartbeat Looks like we should be hospital buddies, I start my job on May 4th! You will have to let me know what goes on in orientation because I have no idea!