boogalina ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN

Med-surg Telemetry, Leadership, Education

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All Content by boogalina

  1. boogalina

    Interview!!!!

    boogalina replied to Corpsman514's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    The interview attire described above sounds great! Be prepared for a question about how you handle conflict with others (coworker, patient, visitor). Maybe an ethical question about end-of-life care...
  2. boogalina

    What do you recommend is a good time or day to go apply at a nursing home?

    boogalina replied to marsqueen's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Go to the facility, definitely, especially if its a nursing home...but be dressed and prepared to interview on the spot, resume in hand. I did this, and it's how I landed my first CNA
  3. boogalina

    PCU Night CNA

    boogalina replied to t2091's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    PCU is like step down for ICU patients who are more stable but not yet ready for discharge or transfer to the med-surg level of care. Expect 10-15 patients, and to help with taking VS and ADLs, just...
  4. boogalina

    New CNA

    boogalina replied to LadyLeo75's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Try plunging your feet into ice water when you get home from work. No more than 10 minutes (if you make it that long). Do this until your feet become more used to the work. (It won't be forever, I...
  5. boogalina

    Exit hesi on Monday

    boogalina replied to cmedar20's topic in HESI Entrance, Exit Exam

    The Saunders NCLEX-RN practice questions also are available with Internet access for $30...good when you want access to the content but don't have the ability to use the book. Like the Internet HESI...
  6. boogalina

    Nurse told me to give Medication

    boogalina replied to Purple93's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    In Oregon, as I'm sure is the case everywhere else, the only settings in which CNAs may LEGALLY administer medications is when working for a home health agency, or in assisted living. A CNA who...
  7. boogalina

    Shift change and visitation in ICU/stepdown

    boogalina replied to opossum's topic in MICU, SICU

    30-bed MICU/SICU at a Level 2...unit locks down for 1 hour at each shift change, but visitors may stay in the patient's room w/door closed so nurses may report. Current policy is to allow visitors...
  8. boogalina

    ICU Preceptorship, hopefully resulting in a job

    boogalina replied to RileyRN2013's topic in General Students

    Get to know the supply room well...lots of little parts that you may need in a hurry. If there are CNAs/techs, be good to them...they will pay you back in help and hustle. Learn from your RT's - they...
  9. boogalina

    Question for PCTs who started out as CNA in LTC facility?

    boogalina replied to TrinaCNA's topic in Patient Care Technician, Assistants

    5
  10. boogalina

    Those who work at a hospital- med surge floor specifically

    boogalina replied to havehope's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    30-bed ICU, nurses w/2-1 patients, maybe 3 if the ICU has overflow from step down or can't transfer med-surg patients b/c those units are full. CNAs in my unit have sections w/10-15 patients (10 on...
  11. boogalina

    nursing student and CNA job?

    boogalina replied to ndg37's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    DCMom - I had my certification and 5 months nursing home CNA experience before being hired by the
  12. boogalina

    nursing student and CNA job?

    boogalina replied to ndg37's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I'm in a 2-year ADN program - have worked 36-hour weeks (12 hour shifts) up until the current term (5 of 6). I now work 24 hours per week, which is plenty during this very demanding term. Our school...
  13. boogalina

    Thinking about going to Nursing School, should I be a CNA first??

    boogalina replied to mariecandela1985's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I'd recommend CNA work. I worked a few months in a rehab/long term care facility, then went to work as a hospital CNA in a medical ICU. In my job, I float to the neuro ICU, stepdown, cardiac ICU and...
  14. boogalina

    New cna

    boogalina replied to kikkidee6's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Hospital CNA - here's my pocket cargo - red, black and black Sharpie pen, pen light, yellow highlighter, iPhone charging cable, "brain" sheet, alcohol wipes (nurses often need one of these if they've...
  15. boogalina

    My CNA story.

    boogalina replied to Kris10Noel's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Awesome! Your new employer may offer tuition reimbursement - so review any policies related to this topic. The hospital foundation or auxiliary may offer scholarships as well...and being an employee...
  16. boogalina

    Work shoes! Please help

    boogalina replied to joshsmother's topic in Patient Care Technician, Assistants

    Both Dansko clogs and Nurse Mates (plain black leather) are good. Tried tennis shoes but I prefer solid leather between me and the "other
  17. boogalina

    Thinking of transfer from ortho to ICU

    boogalina replied to Pcrowley1's topic in Patient Care Technician, Assistants

    I've been an ICU CNA for over a year, and I am glad for the varied experiences I've gotten. And lots of opportunity to be involved in/experience codes, which can be rare on other floors (lots of...
  18. boogalina

    Frustrated.

    boogalina replied to esand's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    The only certification that truly matters is the school's state certification. Graduating from an unapproved school would probably make you unable to take the state licensing exam. So check w/your...
  19. boogalina

    CNA in OR or WA? What is better?

    boogalina replied to AnnieBopannie's topic in Oregon Nursing

    If you are an Oregon resident you might be able to get grant funding to cover the cost of your CNA courses. Check with JobGrowers, through the Employment Department. The CNA2 might help you get a...
  20. boogalina

    Maternity scrubs? Help!

    boogalina replied to tracyd77's topic in Scrubs, Uniforms, Gear

    One of my fellow nursing students was pregnant last year, and was able to get a maternity scrub top through Dove uniform. They have tops and pants. Looks like they have several shades of blue:...
  21. boogalina

    PCT/CNA Patient Load in Hospital Setting Question

    boogalina replied to RedneckGrl's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    ICU CNA in a 30-bed unit. Up to 20 patients we have 1 CNA. Over 20, usually two. When there is 1 CNA, the focus is on helping with bed baths, turns/repositioning (although a dedicated turn team...
  22. boogalina

    New CNA with several nurse tech interviews

    boogalina replied to Kdrenee's topic in Patient Care Technician, Assistants

    It's very, very important to learn all the supplies, where they are located, and what ones are called for in what situations. You are the lifeline between your nurses and the supply room when they are...
  23. boogalina

    "Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN® Examin

    boogalina replied to Assess&Safety1st's topic in NCLEX Exam, Programs

    I used this book to review for my NCLEX-PN exam, which I took and passed with the minimum number of questions. Due to a lack of time, I only did the diagnostic test from the CD, and the book...
  24. boogalina

    What to do about disruptive behavior?

    boogalina replied to Mudwoman's topic in MICU, SICU

    I'm a CNA in an ICU. I agree with the above commenters. The nurse's behavior was not only incredibly uncool, but could have posed a danger to patients in the unit, as lots of yelling and screaming...
  25. boogalina

    New CNA in ICU need Tips!!

    boogalina replied to need714's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Regarding sleep. . .try to make sure your bedroom is dark. This doesn't have to cost a lot. . .there are blackout shades you can buy, but I accomplished the same thing with double-folded fleece...