SunshineCNA

I am so excited, I was just hired for a NA job at Rex hospital in Raleigh...My question; the next orientation is May 10th. March and April are full? Is that normal to have to wait so long to start?

I was just hired as a CNA at a local hospital, and I had thought about doing Surgical Tech too. My advice, get the CNA and get a job in the hospital. The hospital will train you for Surg Tech if you want. There are not as many job postings for a Surg Tech as CNA (I have only seen one or two in the last few months in NC). Hospitals in my area will train you, and will accept experience in place of formal education. Save the money and time.

Look at the skills book and memorize just what is listed. I know it seems weird, but the test is not real life, they just want to see you know the skill. Don't question it beyond that; if it is not on the checklist, you will not be counted for/against something. By the way, the highlighted step is critical, but if you don't do enough of the rest of the checklist correctly, you could still fail. Good luck to you, I took mine last month at Wake Tech, and it wasn't that bad. A word of advice I would always hear from one of the instructers...You do not have to raise the head of the bed for any skill other than bedpan. He failed lots of people for feeding in bed that raised the head of the bed because if you do that for other skills, you must be at a certain angle for it to count and the student would not raise it high enough. For feeding, etc. just ask the patient to sit up.

Are you taking the CNA exam? I just took it for NC last month, and for occupied bed, you just need a pillowcase, top sheet, and fitted sheet, not bath blanket/comforter for the exam. What I was taught for the top sheet was to have the old sheet still over them (for privacy), and place the new top sheet on top of that. Then, you ask them to hold onto the new top sheet while you pull the old stuff out from under them. Finish by tucking in at the ends. The thinking is that the "dirty" part of the top sheet is closest to the bottom, not on top, and that way you maintain privacy during the procedure. I hope that helps. You can go on the NCNAR web site, and I think they have the skills book to download online. Follow that to the tee; those are required for passing the skills. Good luck!

It probably isn't as bad as you think and it depends on where you work. I would obviously advise against working at a place at hospice; however, you are working with sick people mostly so you never know. I just finished my CNA today, and I will tell you, it is easy to obsess over something. But, when you are in there doing it, it is amazing what you can do. You are just focused on the patient and helping them. I always said I couldn't do "code browns", but I did a lot in clinicals, and while it is not my favorite for sure, I just kept looking at that poor person that couldn't help themselves, and I was thrilled that I could do something for them. Good luck!

No, I didn't select actual department, they placed me where there was availability for the time/day that worked best. Good luck to you!

Yea!!! I am starting tomorrow, and so excited too! I will be doing patient relations in Neuro, what are you doing in the ER?

Does anyone know if the Dickies W line shrinks a lot? I just bought my first pair and they are huge. I can't return them, so I was going to have them tailored, but afraid to create a new problem if they shrink too much after alteration. Help!

I hear you don't necessarily need the CNA 2 for a hospital. Alot will train you to be a CNA plus 4 which means you can do a lot of the things a CNA 2 does.

Rex is well know for their LD. I think Wake Med is great too! Duke Raleigh is much smaller.

I can't give specific numbers for you, but they are all large hospitals with level 1 trauma status, I believe. Personally, from my physician and nurses at her office, they aren't thrilled with the treatment from Duke. I don't know too much about UNC since I am in Raleigh, but I know they have a great reputation. I personally would like to work at Wake Med. They are non profit, and treat their employees well. Rex Hospital in Raleigh is not Level 1, but they are a respected hospital in Raleigh, just a bit smaller.

I am actually starting with a CNA at Wake Tech. I hope to go to nursing too, but with young kids at home, I just can't commit the time. I figured this way I could start out with something, and get my feet wet. To your questions....I believe I did get the info off of the website. I think you can download an application to fill out and mail in. Shortly after that, they called me about coming to an evaluation. I did that a few weeks later. Then you have to have an interview to see about placement. That was the part that took awhile. I had my orientation late June I think, and then went for the interview last week. That was because of the recession and all of the interest in volunteering. I am about to call them today to check in and make sure they talked to my references, and they also do 2 TB tests. I can start as soon as I have training (maybe next week, I hope). Wake Med does want you to commit weekly. So, one day a week for at least 2 hours. You can choose your area. I just told them my interests and she suggested a few departments. If you look on their website, you can see the latest newsletter for volunteers and that lists some of the positions available. Sorry to hear about your daughter; I hope she will be OK. It sounds like you have your hands full! Let me know if I can answer anymore questions for you and good luck with school and the volunteering!!

I am starting at Wake Med soon too.. I am also a student. Maybe we will run into each other!! My advice is to go to orientation as soon as you can. I don't think there is a person limit for those. I took me almost 2 months after that to get the interview (which I just had). I just need to call her back, and I think I am in. It is because of the economy. I was told their applicants tripled! I am thinking about working in their patient relations area. The volunteer manager said that a lot of pre med, and pre nurses work their to get some patient experience.

MotivatedOne- Where do you work? I am starting CNA classes this week, and I would love to work in a hospital when I am finished. Any advice to get in? I am going to volunteer at Wake Med and I am also planning to take a Medical Terminology class.

bcnurse2b- I just saw this post and I was wondering how you got the job at Wake Med? I am starting CNA classes in the next few weeks, and I want so desperately to work in a hospital upon certification but I worry that they wouldn't look at me if I am a new grad. I am going to start volunteering hopefully in the infection control area to get my foot in the door, and I am also going to take a Medical Terminology class, but do you have any suggestions? I would love your input!

bknees, what state are you in? I am starting CNA program in a few weeks, and I would love to work in the hospital upon certification. Can you give me any advice as to how to get noticed like you did?

I am new to allnurses!! I will be starting a CNA program at Wake Tech next month (would love to do Nursing later, but with young kids at home, it is tough!). My question is this...What can I do to prepare myself to gain employment in a hospital upon certification? I am eyeing Wake Med. I would love the flexibility of the hours in a hospital, as well as the opportunity to pursue more education (maybe Surgical Tech, etc). A nurse friend suggested a Medical Terminology course (although I am having problems finding one online), and I am going to start volunteering at Wake Med next month as well to get my foot in the door. Any suggestions?