winterallsummer

Thanks, this advice has all been helpful. Yes I would like to work at a hospital at first, and definitely spend adequate time there, regardless of where I work after. Well I start orientation at the large hospital Tuesday so I should learn more. I am thinking if I have 6-7 months experience in a hospital setting I could get hired as a patient care tech on a med-surge unit? This is having a CNA, and by then an associates of science or close to.

Acute care? What unit would that be on? Ideally I want to be a PA doing family practice, general health stuff. Yep the hospital I just got on doing weekdays is a great hospital so I am hoping I can move around internally there. Also what's a PCA?

I am a sophmore pursuing first a BS degree in human biology, then going to become a PA. Currently I work as an MHT (mental health tech) at a small hospital and a large hospital (one weekends, one weekdays). It is good to learn about psychology and some general med stuff (i.e. I can dress dry wounds or talk to patients about medication) but I don't want to stay in it too long. I am hoping the large hospital will transfer me to a medical unit eventually. I am wondering, is patient care tech a good job to have while in nursing or PA school? What are some other good jobs where you can get hands on experience? I considered getting my phlebotomy license while in school but I don't really like the idea of giving shots and taking blood all day. Ideally I would work in surgery or maybe for an upscale psychiatric practice. What are some other good jobs, if any? Has anyone done lab work or other medical jobs at hospitals that only require a certification? I have my CNA, ACE (personal training certif), CPR and will have PMAB coming up. Any recommendations would be helpful. I am looking for a job where I can learn a lot. Someone recommended I apply as a medical tech at a penitentary because you do and learn way more than you ever could at a hospital. Anyone know if its worth the trade off? Would imagine not.

What's the difference between a PCT and CNA? I was told at the CNA school I enrolled in they are the same thing.

How often do you deal with "code brown" at a nursing home? Sorry I know typical question but I have no where else to ask.

Sorry to hear about that. My advice I would offer is check out hiring online indeed.com, monster.com, craigslist.com (under medical), jobs.yahoo.com, and google has their own as well now, and to call the HR for nearby hospitals. Hope this helps some and best of luck, once you get in a supportive work situation this will probably look like a blessing in hindsight.

Hi everyone. So an update for you all. The last day (19th or 20th) is nearing, it is officially 2 weeks away now. Yesterday I went and signed up for the CNA class. It's 4 weeks long, 3 are in class, 1 is hands on. I paid the down payment and start it March 2nd, and will finish it March 27th. I was pretty impressed with the school. It's in Lancaster which is in the middle of no where in between Dallas and East Texas... bleh. But the woman I met there was very chill, and the facility is cozy but modern. The class is all and all 75 hours. She said people go on to do personal care (not for me), hospitals (I wanna do ER), psych wards (could be fun), rehab (could be fun) and nursing homes (not for me). Anyways I start March 2nd so I will update you all then.

Oh wow ICYOU that is crazy, 6 months pregnant and working that much for such an "on your feet job", major props.

If I were you I'd talk to the manager face to face. If she is still unreasonable then you can always go to HR.

I see a lot of the economy threads popping up and people talking about how bad their hospitals are getting as far as hiring/lay offs/no OT. Well I am just wondering, who here either has a degree or certification and CAN NOT find a job, or who here has actually been laid off? Talking just personally/individually here. Also, who here used to be able to get OT and can not get it anymore? And who here is getting significantly less hours?

Did you take CNA classes before becoming certified?

Plain and simple: if you want to go into the medical field, do so irregardless to the circumstances surrounding it and yourself. If you do not have a passion to go into the medical field, you will make much more money with equivalent education in a variety of other fields, and with a general business degree, can probably land a job as easily as having a specific medical degree. My 2 cents anyways. I start my CNA classes on March 2nd.

Oh gotcha. Yeah the CNA class I will be taking is to prepare you for the state exam. I have seen some job postings that list "will train" for various things beyond the scope of CNA, i.e. EKGs, and definitely hope to land a job like that.

I have NEVER heard of legal issues resulting from someone failing an employee drug test, particularly for marijuana. In fact I find it extremely unlikely for there to be a) the legal right of the employer to do such a thing, b) a failed drug test to work as substantial evidence, c) the involvement of the state and legal department to be so high, and d) someone being punished so severely for failing a drug test and not being convicted of possession.

I see. I found plenty of places offering CNA classes but none offering STNA. Is STNA done in all 50 states? I live in Texas. Would having my CNA first help me get my STNA? I definetly want to do IVs and draw blood and administer meds if I can. Would I be able to get my CNA degree and be trained on the job to do these things? The reason I ask, is I put my 2 weeks in at my office job, and have saved up enough money to not work for about 1 month. So I am going to take 3 weeks to get my CNA and 1 week to find a job, fingers crossed. Your reply is very helpful.

Subscribed. Here in Dallas they are still posting hirings on various websites.

Besides working in a nursing home or a hospice, what job can I get with a CNA? Can I get one in the ER? Do hospitals train you in phlebotomy or (in Texas) is a degree absolutely required? Can a CNA work in a psych ward? A private practice?

Yep as I mentioned I have worked in a hospital before for about a year so the long shifts, doctor/nurse politics, holiday shifts, and short lunches are not new to me.

My opinion: let it go. I would assume that you being a nurse would make you more - not less - understanding of the situation. You put retractions and that is how the nurse initially assessed it, as is their job. When you explained the urgency to her, she gave your son priority and handled the situation to the extent she was supposed to and he is now okay. What use is holding onto the anger or getting back at the person who maybe was just having a bad day? Then again I am sure you feel stronger it being your son. But my opinion is just let it go.

1. i tested positive for THC? even though i passed the at home drug test. - If you passed it at home, chances are you are safe, but there always is the chance that your at home test was not as accurate as the employer test. However, most employer tests give a very basic test, not as accurate as a more expensive version someone might get on parole, for example. So going off this I'd guess you're fine. And if you truly were only around it I would also guess you are fine. 2. the sample was so clear that they thought i was trying to fool the test? - They can negate it as diluted but again, they have no reason to be suspicious, so the chances that they would even consider it are slim to none. This is nothing to worry about. 3. the hospital has not called me back yet. so i am wondering how long urine drug testing usually takes. - Can take up to a week. How long has it been now? THC stays in the body 2-3 weeks, but typically if the substance you urinate is composed of mostly water or a juice or soda, it is unlikely that a basic employee drug test would detect it. Of course your best bet is just to stay away from all this in the future if you know you are going to be tested especially, but live and learn.

Hello. I can give you my perspective from having my personal training degree. Shin splints occur from muscle soreness; more specifically, from lactic acid building up in your muscles. Lactic acid is produced simply from the muscle working. It is felt most intensely as it builds up and the following 30-40 minutes, but can last throughout the day. The soreness you feel the next few days is DOMS, or delayed onset muscle soreness. When a muscle works, the tiny muscle fibers which compose it tear. They rebuild stronger and bigger. The slight tears, while not at all unhealthy, do sometimes cause soreness days later. It will go away. It depends on how long, typically 2-3 months but sometimes less, all depending on the individual. Diet wise eating more protein and complex carbs may help, because it will help your muscles repair quicker. If you feel it while running, stop and walk or even sit down until it resides. If it does not reside, you should just call it a day, if it is too intense to enjoy the running. Applying ice or icy/hot patches may help, as will stretching. Stretching will help significantly from my experience. So overall my advice is stick it out, it is natural, but as any runner will say it gets to the point that it stops bothering you.

I just wanted to update everyone. I'm in my office now and did tell my boss this morning and will be leaving on February 19th, at the end of the pay period for this month. I am still nervous solely because of the economy, but I am telling myself, I have given this decision months of thought, I have wanted to get into the medical industry for roughly a year now, I have experience with it before, and most importantly: I made my decision based on what I value and what I felt is right for me, instead of making it out of fear. I will keep you guys updated on how things go. I narrowed down the CNA schools to about 4 and will decide by Wednesday which one I'm going to (I live in the Plano/Dallas area). As soon as I enroll, at which point I won't be working, I will take either 2 or 3 weeks to get my CNA certification, depending on which school I pick. After the first couple days of class, I will begin actively applying at hospitals telling them I will have my CNA soon and find one I can start at once I get it. I also have a personal training certification which deals with a lot of anatomy, medical terminology, basic kinesolgy terminology (i.e. suppine), so I am hoping that will up my chances as well. Plus being a guy who is pretty big, I can handle roudy patients or move heavy objects. Worst case scenario I will take a job as a personal care giver (see them all the time in job listings) until I get to a hospital. I really appreciate all the support it is very helpful, especially hearing about people making similiar decisions. I will let you guys know when I find the CNA school I want to attend.

Just my 2 cents... why should they have to do all the PT care? Because their degree didn't take as long as yours? Do they have less work experience? It seems disrespectful to delegate that to them. You should have to do your fair share, if they have to do more due to time allotment that is one thing, but if you expect them to handle it because their degree is less impressive, that seems rudimentary of you.

Hello. After working in the corporate setting for about 2 years now, I have decided that Monday morning (and I will be at work in a few hours as it's 4 am right now), I am going to turn in my notice. Rather than do 2 weeks, I will likely tell them I am leaving at the end of February so my official first day of unemployment begins March 1st. I work in accounting and have become so tired of the atmosphere and work environment here. Everyone is worried about losing their jobs, so that the office has become a culture of individuals looking out for themselves only. Even before this though I found the job, while monetarily rewarding, to be almost completely void of any rewarding feeling or even the accomplished feeling that accompanies an honest day's hard work. While I've enjoyed the low stress job functions and freedom to go to the bank, go take a walk, or eat lunch whenever I feel like it, this weekend I realized the cons have outweighed the pros. Certainly I will miss the easy hours and being able to browse the internet online, but nevertheless, it is time for a change. Over the weekend, at my college, while taking an express speech course, one student talked about the advantages of switching to the medical field. I had already planned on acquiring my CNA over the summer and working my way up to the ER until I finish school (I am only a college freshman working on a 4 year degree), but have decided to go ahead and get started. I found a CNA training program which costs roughly $800 and offers a 2 week M-F express course. I will hopefully start it March 1st and by April 1st be working in a hospital. In high school I worked in the patient cafeteria, not the one which served visitors, but which prepped and wheeled the huge delivery carts to the nurse stations. So I am not totally unfamiliar with the environment, although this was nearly three years ago. I have heard my share of horror stories about being a CNA, and while I am confident I will in time find a place that I do not have to deal with too much crap, metaphorically and literally, I have decided I am willing to work my way up to an ER position where I will eventually work on being able to do phlebotomy. I realize this will have to be a long term endeavor and that a job in the medical field will have its fair shares of ups and downs. However I have assessed the market and financially now is one of the best times to get into the medical field as ever, at least compared to the corporate world. I also look forward to working in an exciting and actually rewarding environment. My friends have offered mixed critique. Most have said I should just wait because I do make very good money for my age at the office job I have now. However my gut and intuition are telling me to go through with this, so in just a few hours I will be giving my boss the news. She is not the best boss in the world or anywhere close so I can only guess she will be very upset to learn she has to deal with hiring and training someone to fill my position. But I have humbled myself too many times in interest of the company and not once has it paid off personally in any way shape or form. So despite my own nerves and financial concerns, I am going to just go through with it. Financially I have put some money away, largely from my decent sized apartment refund I received, my upcoming tax money, my quarterly bonus, and my incoming pell grant money for school. Additionally my credit card is for the most part paid off, meaning I have a couple thousand dollars to tide me over on bills and whatnot until I find the new job. I am a mix of scared and excited.

I see in the "recommended reading" some articles about the career side of things, but as far as learning the biology, terminology, anatomy, etc of the field, what would you guys recommend? I am in college (first year) so obviously biology and whatnot are great courses, but here I am talking about books and articles that explain the medical and scientific sides of things.