macrich84

1:5? That would be so nice!

We have the yellow and green, too. I wish whoever ordered supplies would pay attention to the toothbrush stock. We get notes that we don't chart on oral care, but how can we if we can't get a toothbrush??

haha thank you CoffeemateCNA. The thought of seeing another CNA walking around with a wheely backpack made me

Try splitting up what you do when you check the vitals. Refill your water pitchers, empty foleys/urinals and change your inc. patients, etc before you start with your vitals. Make those rounds first, maybe a half hour, or hour before vitals..depending on your speed. It sounds like you are trying to do way too many things during vital checks. As far as your respirations, you'll get use to doing those.. but, if you are having a hard time try asking your nurse to verify your numbers when they pass out AM meds.

If you pads aren't big enough.. you need a draw sheet. just take a normal top sheet, fold it in a half and put in under the patient. When moving the patient up.. tell her she HAS to bend her knees and push. Also, put the foot of the bed all the way up. If you don't have the supplies, tell the charge nurse. She may not know, and would be able to get you what you need. And yes, there are some patients what will drive you crazy if you let them. You don't let them by taking care of you important duties first and then, helping them with there none vital needs when you can.

Our hospital carries the small bottles of mouth wash, so, when I got into a room with a patient that has cdiff.. I'll put a tiny drop of mouth wash on the inside of the mask.. Can't smell a thing other than minty freshness.

I highly recommend a CNA job. Some of the best nurses I know where CNAs before becoming RNs or LPNs. I know that my CNA job has help to reinerate many of the skills I'm learning in school as well as given me the opportunity to get receive support and see many other nurses skills.

To the few notorious nurses that always sit up at the nurses station "charting" for most of their shift: I am not wonder woman. I can not be in 5 different rooms at once. I do not ignore the call bells in my assignment. So, when you hear one of your call bells going off for 10 minutes can you please go answer it. I would be in there if I wasn't being soaked in the shower room or cleaning up the worlds largest BM.

I agree.. Thermals under your scrubs pants would just be way too much. Boy shorts are the best things to wear with the white scrub pants.

It's funny how quickly everyone forgets that once they were the newbies too. Kinda reminds me of the silly high school drama. Best to ignore the drama as much as possible. I'd just be nice to the new girl (maybe because I'm currently a new girl too... haha), maybe one day they will learn from example... if not, at least the new crowd might be a better one for you to associate with.

Sounds like it was the best move for you in the long run. Good luck on the job hunt! I'll be working this Easter so, enjoy yours for me too!

I know this might be easier said then done, but sometimes we are busy or just don't think about stopping to show someone else the ropes. The best advice I can give you is to be firm but friendly about getting help. Remind them that you are suppose to be training. Don't!! do anything that you aren't sure about or trained to do without someone else with you. Even if that means being a pain in the butt to the other CNAs. Better safe then sorry for yourself and your residents. Also, if you know something should be done, such as the showers or other care, and it's not done.. you need to report it to the charge nurse or your supervisor before it falls on your head. The one's training you can't blame you if you have already brought it up as an issue. If you are unsure about certain tasks you have to perform... look up how to do them on youtube. If you still need hints about how dress someone with an IV bag, I'd be more than willing to pass on how to do it.

I've never tried Tafford... I'll have to take a look around the site. Thanks!

When I was applying for jobs I told them that I am schedule to take the state boards March 25th. Some said to wait until then, while others were still willing to interview. I'd call any of the places you are interested in apply to see if they require you to be state certified or if the certification from the class would do until you pass the test. In my state, we have 120 days to work while class certified. So, you never know if you can start working now. As far as forgetting what you learned... practice on everyone you know! I use my friends and family all the time to make sure I remember all the skills while I wait for the state board.

i found the cherokee4less.com is a really good place to buy, of course, cherokee scrubs. if you use the coupon annx you get 20 percent off your whole purchase plus shipping is free if you spend over $25. scrubsandbeyond.com is another really good site to purchase off of. you can find coupon codes here http://www.momsview.com/scrubsandbeyond.shtml. they have free shipping if you spend over $100. just figured that i would pass on the savings!