portuge

I was at KCC for my prereq courses. Yes any nursing program is intense. Skills were intense. Besides skills we were required to be able to do a complete head to toe examination on DVD to pass. On top of that we were required to pass ATI exams plus know all the required skills that are used on a floor. The difference is that on top of skills the four year program requires more intense book load of courses. Everything you take in lecture has a lab on site. Working is personal and possible. I am a older person and am use to the pressure of earning a living and doing other things..It is all up to the individual. many of my peers do work.

When you get on the floor they generally ask you if you have worked that area before or been at their facility. When you say no they will most likely pair you with the CNA that is permanent with facility. Usually there is a regular employee and a agency one, because there are always things you are not allowed to do such as acuchecks since you are agency. You will find that all floors alittle bit different. Basic skills that you learned in clinicals will be used. You are changing adult diapers, taking vitals and emptying foleys, ins and outs. This are the basic skills and providing comfort--doing turns q 2 hours. You will be fine!

I had the sam experience last year when I lost my job as a CNA. I had to go to an investigator at unemployment and convince them as a CNA I am able to work shifts that rotate 24 hours so my options were good. They look at it as that if you are in school you will turn down work due to classes. I explained that i could attend a class and work at night or third shift. I ended up getting my benefits.

I have worked throughout getting my BSN. I am approaching my last year and still am working 48 hours a week. My thing was to do home care night shifts. This way since I needed to check on the client every few hours while they slept I was able to have peace and quiet away from my home. I actually study more at work than at home. This genereally applies to the night shift but there are day shifts wioth these agencies where you have alot of down time. Also I am able to get sleep as homecare most nightshifts let you sleep, you need to inquire though if it is an awake shift or not. The other up side is you getr lots of client contact and learn.

If you have a BSN from your country universities here offer programs for those that have international degrees to move you to take the courses needed to aquire the same degree in America.

I use to do homecare as a CNA for years.. here and there I worked at a longtern facility. Now that I am in my last year of completing my BSN degree I have gone to working with nursing temp agencies and I love it. DON'T be nervous they will have a regular staff CNA which you will shadow and will help you. I have found that usually they are very glad to have your help and i love going to the various sections of the hospital learning new things that I don't leaqrn in clinicals in nursing school. You get to learn all the things nurses really do -- not the book things they teach you when you are on the floor.

I have found that nursing temp agencies are a great way to go for short term work as a CNA. They seem to snap you up knowing you are a nursing student --especially one about to graduate... also gives flexibilty on your choice of work times