SoulFood

Thank you for the advice. I think, though, that I will have to be completely honest about the pregnancy. It's fairly obvious from looking at me, and I need to be clear about my limitations. Perhaps if I make it very clear that I have my practitioners approval to work (and she's a nurse and knows the nature of what I will be doing) and that I WILL be coming back it won't be so much of an issue? I would feel like I'm being dishonest if it were not addressed.

That's really strange! In the state of Oregon all that was required was proof of measles immunity and a negative PPD in order to participate in clinicals. In fact, I've never had the chicken pox, nor was I vaccinated against it! Oh well, if it's required, then you will either have to have a titer drawn to prove you are immune or get the vaccination.

Hi! I just graduated from my nurse's assistant program and have landed my first interview tomorrow afternoon at the LTC where I had part of my clinical rotation. I'm very excited but am also nervous; I've been a full time student for the past three years and before that I was a stay at home mom for two years. Needless to say, it has been a while since I've had a "real" job interview. Also, I am 16 weeks pregnant, and even though I fully intend on remaining at work after the baby is born, I'm concerned that it will deter employers from hiring me. So, what kind of questions will I be asked? What should I wear? Any tips for maintaining my confidence? Thank you for a speedy reply!

Contact the California State Board of Nursing. Not all states have CNA II designation or acute care certification. I'm in Oregon and it is a requirement.

May I ask how you were qualified to take the certifying exam with only a six hour class? It was my understanding that OBRA requirements included at least 75 hours of instruction including at least 16 hours clinical experience. I don't see how those requirements can be met taking a class such as the one you describe.

Where I'm at it is required to be a CNA to work in LTC, and it is often required to be acute care certified as well (CNA II) to work in a hospital. In LTC, I believe that you can be hired on an uncertified basis, as long as you have completed a state and BON approved nurse assistant program (175 hours) and will be sitting the exam within 60 days. Continued employment is contingent upon passing the boards and your name and certification number being put on the state registry. If you have any questions, I would speak to the DON at the particuler facility you are interested in working at or contact your state BON.

I'm still in my CNA program, and will (obviously) start in LTC. Our hospital required CNA II (Acute Care) certification, and when that is completed I will be looking for a hospital position. I think I would eventually like to get into OR or ICU.

Yes, I received my scope and it works well; very clear! It did take a while to arrive (over two weeks.... :/ ), so I'll be aware of their timeline next time I order from them.

According to the Oregon State BON: CNA 2-Acute Care Under the supervision of a licensed nurse, the CNA 2- Acute Care may only provide care and assist clients with the following: 1. Tasks associated with responsive observations: * Vital signs: (i) Temperature; (ii) Pulse; (iii) Respirations; (iv) Blood pressure- manual and electronic on upper arm, thigh, and lower leg, including orthostatic blood pressure readings; (v) Pain level; * Pulse oximetry. * Warm and cold therapies: (i) Warm and cold compresses; (ii) Ice bag, ice collar, ice glove, or dry cold pack; and (iii) Heated soaks and whirlpool or sitz baths. 2. Tasks associated with technical skills: * Add fluid to established post pyloric, jejunostomy and gastrostomy tube feedings and change established tube feeding bags; * Apply topical over-the-counter creams and ointments for prophylactic treatment of skin conditions; * Apply pediculicides; * Apply sequential compression devices; * Assist patients in and out of Continuous Passive Motion machines; * Assist patient with coughing and deep breathing; * Interrupt and re-establish suction (with the exception of chest tubes); * Remove cast in non-emergent situations; * Set up traction equipment; * Suction oral pharynx; * Turn oxygen on and off at pre-established flow rate; and * Use of an incentive spirometer. 3. Tasks associated with interpersonal skills and communication. 4. Tasks associated with safety. 5. Tasks associated with infection control: * Clean ostomy sites and change dressings or appliances for established, non-acute ostomy; * Collect clean-catch urine specimen;* Discontinue foley catheter; * Measure, record and/or empty output from drainage devices and closed drainage systems; * Obtain rectal swab [for Vancomycin-Resistant Entercococcil]; * Obtain sterile urine specimen from port of catheter; and * Perform clean intermittent straight catheterization for chronic conditions. This is of course in addition to CNA I dutues (which obviously also include vital signs- not sure why the mention that again!). There is also CNA II certification in Restorative Care and Dementia Care. In the state of Oregon, CNA I programs are 150 hours (75 lecture/lab, 75 clinical) in length and CNA II programs are an additional 88 hours of lecture/lab and clinical.

Yes, here we have CNA II (Acute Care) certification which is required to work in a hospital setting. The class here is offered to CNA I's who hold an unencumbered certification and are on the State Registry. I am definitely doing that after securing my CNA I status.

Thanks for this thread; I was recently informed about Frensenius' Dialysis Tech training and am looking into their program.

I am currently in a CNA program and have strongly considered getting an EMT certification so that I can work as an ER Tech. Hourly speaking (in my neck of the woods), CNAs in the hospital make $13-$17/hr, ER Techs make similar wages, and EMTs make a bit more, $15-$20/hr. I'm not sure on Paramedic wages. I think any additional training/certification/education is valuable and bound to open doors.

LOL, oh no! They're slow shipping things out? I made the order just a few days ago (on Wednesday) and was hoping to receive my shipment by this coming Friday. I guess we'll see! The prices are very good, which was why I ordered from them---Thanks for your input!

Has anyone used, or have opinions on, equipment from http://www.alheart.com? I am a new CNA student and ordered their own brand (Allheart) of stethoscope and sphygmomanometer to practice with. Are they decent for practice purposes? Thanks for any insight.

This is something I would really love to get into! Here, CNAs can be hired as ER Techs if they also hold an EMT-B certification or, sometimes, if they have a lot of acute care experience and have additional training. I have considered getting my EMT-B to keep this option open for me. The job description and duties of an ER Tech who is not IV certified would most likely vary depending on the state and facility.