LaterAlligator

LaterAlligator

geriatrics, dementia, ortho

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All Content by LaterAlligator

  1. Anyone here work as a medication aide?

    LaterAlligator replied to Dorali's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I do, and I'm so glad you found a class - way to

  2. Announce that you passed your CNA exam here!

    LaterAlligator replied to jb2u's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Congratulations, all! I just passed mine today as well & it's been a long road ... I worked extra homecare shifts on top of my facility job to save up for the class, went 6 weeks of working 2-10...

  3. To Brief or not to brief????

    LaterAlligator replied to Starletta's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I assume you mean a reusable incontinent pad on the bed and no brief of any kind? Not easy to clean. You end up with the resident way more coated in urine than she would have been with a brief, and...

  4. Please say a quick prayer me

    LaterAlligator replied to Dorali's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Great news,

  5. Caregiver, CNA, other?

    LaterAlligator replied to jamiemd's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    If your goal is to try out working in direct patient care & find out if you're happy dealing with gross stuff and difficult people (just like you will as a nurse) then be a CNA for a while. If you...

  6. Got a promotion!

    LaterAlligator posted a topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Okay, this is totally just me sharing my excitement because I can't do it at work without stepping on toes: I got promoted!!! I've been at my current facility for about 6 mos. and just became a med...

  7. Got a promotion!

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

    Dondie, it was very easy. I think it varies a LOT state-by-state but where I live the requirements are that you must have worked as a CNA/Caregiver for at least a year beforehand, then there is a...

  8. CNA starting wage?

    LaterAlligator replied to nowayis's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Average/normal. And in many ways, being a CNA is much like manual labor. You'll certainly be just as tired after a shift as you would be from doing

  9. The life cycle of a CNA forum member

    LaterAlligator replied to fuzzywuzzy's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I'm baffled by those that give up highly-paid jobs to come work as a CNA as well. If I could afford it, I'd go to school full-time to be an RN rather than keep working in LTC and go to school...

  10. "Pivot Transfer With Walker" for CVA/TBI patient with paralysis?

    LaterAlligator replied to CabanaDay's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Ha, oops, goes to show that I shouldn't post when I'm tired like

  11. What do you do on your break?

    LaterAlligator replied to Poi Dog's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I sometimes take my two 12-minute breaks, depending on which hall I have and what my residents are doing that day. I always take my 30-minute lunch, since I'm not paid for it anyway, and I'm always...

  12. Mouth Care

    LaterAlligator replied to Kitsey's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I work eve shifts and do oral care on 90% of my residents. I work in dementia so I know there are a few that will get combative if I even try, so I settle for washing their faces only. But I hate...

  13. "Pivot Transfer With Walker" for CVA/TBI patient with paralysis?

    LaterAlligator replied to CabanaDay's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I probably would prefer to use a mechanical lift or a 2 person transfer with anyone with bilateral paralysis; they tend to lean or fall over very easily, no matter how strong the unaffected side

  14. Patronizing coworkers!

    LaterAlligator replied to IHeartPeds87's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Oh yes, of course. I have one who I swear starts every other sentence with "No, honey, you gotta ..." and then says some ridiculous nitpicking thing that may or may not be marginally accurate. I'm...

  15. Expectations

    LaterAlligator replied to fuzzywuzzy's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Why do instructors say that about the pay? It's so crazy. I've been working as a caregiver for the past year and a half, and know what the pay is like pre-certification and post CNA cert. yet when I...

  16. how long does it take you to leave work

    LaterAlligator replied to cnamommyto2's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I get off at 10, spend 5 min. giving report, and 2 filling out my time sheet/putting my gear in my locker. At my facility if we stay later than 10:07 and want to get paid for it, it must be approved...

  17. Funny things your residents have said/done...

    LaterAlligator replied to SnowbirdinFL's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I was helping one of my dementia residents get ready for bed and brush her teeth, and she looks in the mirror and goes "Well, I might be an ugly old woman, but BOY can I do a lot of work!". Cracked...

  18. Sundowning :)

    LaterAlligator replied to shix's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I had a similar experience at my dementia facility when I switched from first shift to second shift. My favorite is the lady that thinks our building is a train or a cruise ship, usually starting...

  19. how do you wear your hair when going to work as a cna

    LaterAlligator replied to cnamommyto2's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I always wear mine pulled back too. I don't like it in my face, especially since I always get so sweaty when I'm giving a shower. Plus I have a couple of residents (dementia) that will grab and pull...

  20. Dear new CNA's

    LaterAlligator replied to reussir1's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Dear New CNA: You get a grace period when you're actually new. Once you've been there a few months, you're not new anymore. If I help you out (take one of your showers because you can't get the man...

  21. Acne and working with patients

    LaterAlligator replied to Vegemite's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I just try to ignore it, but since I work in a dementia facility, my residents will point it out (a few of them, anyway). I just say "Yep, that happens sometimes!" and move on. Other than that, I...

  22. What would you be if you weren't a CNA?

    LaterAlligator replied to SnowbirdinFL's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I used to work as a nanny, and then as a residential counselor for teen boys in foster care with severe behavioral issues. I decided to take a break from all the troubled kids and fell in love with...

  23. has anyone ever asked you why or discouraged you from being a cna?

    LaterAlligator replied to cnamommyto2's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    My Grandma was worried that I wouldn't like it, she's an old-school retired hospital pharmacist and she has this idea that all I do all day is bedpans. In reality my facility doesn't have anyone...

  24. Funny things your residents have said/done...

    LaterAlligator replied to SnowbirdinFL's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I work in dementia, and got the following report when I came on shift: "Mrs. X is really tired, she's been walking around looking for 'her midget' all

  25. CNA is always "sick"

    LaterAlligator replied to freewmnheidi's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I have one coworker that's probably an alcoholic but she's still fun to work with. If someone never pulls their weight, they've gotta be pretty dang charming and funny to make up for it! The only...