sakura_k

Being a CNA is much more than bedpan work. When I worked LTC, the work involved vitals, transfers, feeding, and being a social person for the residents who didn't necessarily have people coming in to visit them often. I created a lot of really good...

My program actually required us to buy a stethoscope. They told us that on the first day of class and let us use "community" stethoscopes. Which brings me to my suggestion of keeping individually packed alcohol wipes in your pocket... :) We also h...

A lot of big hospitals (at least in my area) won't accept a CNA without them having at least 6 months experience and really. So you may want to start working in a hospital and apply to jobs from there. I work in a hospital now but was rejected from...

Everyone has already said it, but it is wayyyyy too soon to walk away! The first day in any new job is overwhelming and scary and rarely reflects what the actual job is like. You need to get to know your teammates and get to know your residents bef...

I used to work 2p-10p. We'd set up the dining room for dinner, pass out meal trays, help feed those who needed help feeding, clean up dinner trays, help people with their toileting and washing up and get them into bed. After a certain point at night...

When I was fresh out of training, I had a separate section on my resume for "Clinical Experience" and listed where I did my clinicals and what I did. I was told by the places I applied to that they liked knowing what my hands-on experiences had been...

:anpom: Congrats! And congrats on the new job and that big first step towards a nursing career!

I have three bits of advice: 1. Be fearless...you'll get more hands-on experience if you push yourself to be the volunteer, to be the first to take on more than one resident, etc. 2. Always carry a ballpoint pen. :) and 3. Ask questions if you ar...

I agree completely - being a CNA is not about being in the spotlight, it's about the patient. That's part of what I love about the job. I'm not here to get appreciation and tons of money, I'm here because I care about the people I come into contact...

I think it depends on where you're working. In some cases, nurse techs = CNAs. But I believe some hospitals hire nursing students who've finished the first handful of quarters of nursing school as nurse techs and they're able to do more than CNAs. ...

Believe me, I have my moments where I completely agree on this. :) (Like...right this moment.)

...well, at least I'm in good company. Good luck to those who already know they're doing the essay and to those who, like me, feel an ulcer coming on...shall I pass the Tums?

What works for me is to talk it out - the old mantra "see one, do one, teach one". In this case, I see the problem, I do a problem like it, and I teach someone else how to do it. The unfortunate part of that last one is that I usually teach my signi...

You're welcome! Good luck to you!

tnohe1 a LOT of the programs I'm looking into (including, now, the PA program as my plan B) require hands-on experience which, for nursing schools, typically comes in the form of a CNA or MA background. I considered both but MA is a year or so and a...

kuccellini I know exactly how you feel. I'm in a similar boat to you, though I'm done with prereqs and now have the pleasure of retaking some that are "too old". Color me excited. Plan A is to get a nursing degree. I don't care what type, just one...

I didn't apply to TCC but to all of you who did apply, I want to wish you luck and let you know that you're all in my thoughts. Application process is stressful enough, but a random lottery? That would do me in. (I'm not lucky enough to win one of...

I worked at a long term care clinic where they were super supportive of students and would allow you to work part time/per diem so that you can focus on school as well. I think it depends on where you work and how you manage the time you have. It's...

topic, I don't know what to say...I am astounded that you have this sort of ratio. You're right - cutting corners is unacceptable and it scares me, thinking of the treatment the residents are getting. (Not yours, though.) The residents must love y...

kimmy436 it's a matter of what would be a good fit for YOU. Most job postings give specifics about the type of residents you'll be interacting with. So really, it's knowing what you think would be a good fit and going from there. Most nursing home...

bina11, I agree. The application process is extremely time consuming and exhausting, and to put in all that work only to be handed a denial is a hard blow. Best we can do is pick ourselves back up and try, try again. (And eat ice cream, which seem...

I second what MissPiggy said...mostly, hospitals want some experience before they'll hire you, which means you'll need to start out with LTC. Six months was the norm when I was applying. I'm glad I worked in LTC. I was wary of it when I started, bu...

It certainly won't hurt. There are a few schools in WA state that give you points towards admission if you have previous work experience as a CNA and there's one school that requires you to be a CNA before you can apply, so in those two instances...y...

When I'm doing apps, I always think that's the worst part - trying to sort through what each school wants, writing the essays, tracking down the transcripts, feeling guilty about asking people to write your letters of rec... ...but then we get to thi...

I am a notoriously bad test taker, but I found the written...well, kind of easy. I was invested in the material and honestly a little interested in it, so I think that probably helped me. I'd put it at a 2-3 for me personally. I had a really good ...