susanlwins

Some of the CNAs I give report to, when I say "This patient is on iso for MRSA", I have seen them write "Mersa" or even "Merced". Really? It's one of the most common infections in the hospital. How can you not know what the abbreviation is, even if...

I'm also thinking about applying for this, but like you am leaning towards OB nursing and am not sure that I want to do 2 years at a community clinic immediately after graduation. I am afraid I will lose a lot of acute care skills that I may need la...

I am applying also. Starting my ADN program in 2 weeks, and I am in the first financial preference group, so we will see what happens. There is a webinar next week on the 20th in the evening where they will be doing a question/answer session as well...

I'll be starting nursing school in April, and have been a CNA for 3 years in both LTC and the hospital. You are making a great decision - you will learn so much that you can take with you into your nursing career, and will have a good idea going int...

Management told me that before leaving a patient's room, I should be writing down on their whiteboard the time that I will be returning to their room for the next round (we are expected to round on our patients q hour). When I explained to her that ...

Hi. I am finishing my prereqs and am going to apply to LWIT as well as several other area schools. I haven't heard a lot about Lake Washington's RN program. Current students, or recent grads, enlighten me?!?!! Thanks!

I just saw that your responded - thanks for being willing to share info. I am applying for spring quarter (having a baby in January, or else I would be going with my original plan and starting in a few weeks!!) I also will be applying to Shoreline b...

That is a stupid reason to have such a restrictive policy. My school lets you do one retake after a 30 day waiting period. Then, you can't take it again for another year. It gives everyone a chance for a do-over, but not excessive retakes. If that...

Thank you for mentioning that "there really is no such thing as a 2 year RN. There is a solid year of prereqs.) I am finishing my prereqs (took me 2 1/2 years going part time), and there were prereqs for the prereqs. Fortunately, I finished a lot o...

I also got an A in A&P 1. I agree with kamecee that you have to study as you go. Do not plan on cramming sessions to get you by with a good grade. I read the material before lectures, so that I could just use lecture to build upon my knowledge...

I agree that grades are not the ONLY thing that is important, and if you feel this way, apply to a school that looks at interviews, recommendations, and experience in health care as a major part of admissions criteria. However, many schools, at least...

I can empathize with your situation completely. Our unit is the same, as are most hospital units, it seems. When we have a sitter, a CNA is pulled from the floor, leaving the other CNA's, RN's, and patients and their families to try and pick up the...

Congratulations on making it this far - you will be fine. It takes a LONG time to get confident with even basic skills like bed baths. It will come with time. And even then, sometimes you will forget supplies, bring the wrong thing, make mistakes. ...

Congratulations on making it this far - you will be fine. It takes a LONG time to get confident with even basic skills like bed baths. It will come with time. And even then, sometimes you will forget supplies, bring the wrong thing, make mistakes. ...

Amen! I am a nursing assistant in a hospital now, and I see my job as assisting my RN's with WHATEVER they need help with/don't have time for. I realize not all CNA's have this understanding of their job responsibilities, or this attitude, but I fe...

The bottom line is, as with a lot of things in life, what is good for one person is not necessarily good for everyone. That is why (thankfully), when it comes to getting into the field of nursing, there are many different ways to do it. The minute ...

You can do it! Just keep telling yourself, one foot in front of the other. One day at a time. It will all be worth it, and there are TONS of us out here doing the same thing - sometimes just knowing you are not the only one can be SO comforting and...

Thank you for being so honest. I applaud your accomplishment at completing nursing school, and know that, just like any job, you will get the hang of it and succeed. I was raised in the generation before you, and was taught that if I wanted anythin...

Ostomy bag with a slide mechanism for easy emptying. And a rolling bed mattress (like a conveyor belt from head to toe) so you could boost someone with the push of a button - no muscles required.

That is horrible. I am so sorry that you are having to deal with that for your first job. Bottom line, the other CNA, no matter what kind of power trip they are on, are not your supervisor. They are your coworkers. You don't answer to them for the...

I've been a CNA for a year and a half in LTC, and have been orienting to my new hospital job on the Neuro/Tele unit for the last 2 weeks. Today was my first day on my own, post-orientation, and it was a very rude awakening. Short staffed, 14 patien...

All I can say is, you have to decide whether you are going to be part of the solution or part of the problem. Don't join in and become these people. Not wiping someone is enough to get you fired, in my opinion. It is neglectful and you should repo...

Don't give them a bunch of info about yourself over the phone. Go to the facility, fill out the application, and find out the name and number of the HR person and when they will be in the facility. If they are there in the facility, ask the recepti...

I work at a LTC and now also on the med/tele/neuro floor at hospital. The main difference to me is a)hospital you have a lot more support from nursing staff and management; b) hospital you will have a greater variety of levels of acuity, ie at the n...

Watch chest rise and fall for respirations. It is easy if they are wearing a striped gown or shirt - just find where the stripes are moving. I always take their pulse for 30 seconds, multiply by 2, but then keep acting like I am still taking their p...