JEisinger

I realize that nursing school didn't teach me everything. I respect and I want to learn from the older nurses, they have seen a lot more than I have. I don't want their schedule, because there is no such thing as a "plum schedule" in nursing and the schedule I have suits be just fine. But when "some" not all treat you like they don't have the time to be a preceptor then don't be one.

I wasn't allowed during school either. We did get to practice on mechanical arms. Had to learn on the job and it is way different on a real person. I will say, once you get a few under your belt it gets easier. But remember, drawing blood or placing an IV is not your biggest worry, it will come it time (Thanks to Bobby for telling me that) Even seasoned nurses aren't always successful either and need to ask for help.

I've learned that seasoned nurses "really do eat their young" which I don't understand because I would never treat a new nurse like I have been treated by some, not all seasoned nurses. I've learned that karma really does exist.

I got my certification in June 2008 and got my first interview December of 20078 and started January 2009 at a local hospital in Michigan.

Good luck on your first day! You will be fine. Don't worry about being slow, just take care of your patients. I am new at my job too. I remember my first night by myself, I was worried about the same things. Each day you learn and get more comfortable with what you have to do. For instance, I always stock my linen cart first thing and have in my hallway at all times so I save myself of having to keep running back to the supply room.

No shift is easy. I currently work 11pm-8am. And patients do not sleep all night like the other shifts claim. There are only two of us on midnights taking care of 32 patients. I have to take vitals (temp, BP, HR, Ox & Resp) and at the same time if a patient needs something I have to stop and make the patient comfortable or talk to the patient because they are scared and clean that patient, if needed. At the same time the RN's keep asking if the vitals are done yet. And yes, patients poop at night time. I have to clean them up and yes give bed baths, then empty foleys, stock the linen carts (that are never stocked for me), pass fresh ice water, empty trash, we do change linend also and then do documentation. Then in the morning, the day shift thinks that I haven't done anything all night long, because no call lights are going off (it doesn't dawn on them that maybe the patients are comfortable). They are more concerned about how many completes they are doing to have for the day. Some won't even walk the hall to get report from me. Or I get some that wait until five minutes before I'm supposed to leave and then they ask if I'm going to give report (which is supposed to be done at 7:30). Neeter

I took my state test in Michigan. I had to do three skills test and washing hands was considered part of every skill. In Michigan if you don't pass the skills you don't get to take the written test. My skills were randomly picked. I just pretended that it was my class friend I was doing the skills on. I passed the first time. You are really watched! If during the hand washing procedure if you touch anything your not supposed to, say I just touched the faucet so I am going to rewash my hands. Also, I dressed in my scrubs, it was a lot more comfortable, especially since you don't know what skill you are going to get. The day I took my test this girl wore jeans and she regretted it. Neeter

I am currently a CNA and also have a certificate from a local community college as a phlebotomist. I was trying to get certified in my state, but because we didn't do a "clinical" We did our pokes on fake arms and I had a friend let me do blood draws on him about 10, but I couldn't count it for school. I don't have the required pokes to get certified. Now I am caught in the nobody will hire me because I don't have any experience, but I can't get any experience because no one will hire me. Make sure you check if they will help you get training and the required pokes to get certified and the experience. I also agree with the post that stated that you will get a ton of experience as a CNA. If you have the time and money it doesn't hurt to have both. If you plan on going on to nursing the phlebotomy really does help. Neeter

Hello Diego, I took classes for CNA training at a local community college that was 12 weeks long, three days a week for $800. Once I passed the class I was able to take the test to get certified where I live, which was another $100 dollars. I am glad that I took the 12 week class. I talked to people who took it at the Red Cross (you might want to check with your local Red Cross also 7 weeks long) and they said they felt in 7 weeks they crammed a lot of information in. Also, some of those same people didn't pass their state test. Whatever you decide to do make sure the class you take makes you eligible to take your state test. Neeter