maggiex3

Coming from someone who is a psychology major, and wishes they had chosen nursing I know how difficult this choice can be. When I finally realized nursing was for me I was half way done my psychology degree... my best piece of advice is before you decide expose yourself to as much experience in both fields as you can. Get your CNA and see if you can handle a nursing environment, the interaction with patients the body fluids etc. Volunteer at organizations that work with kids like an after school program for underprivileged or troubled youth. Before you make any type of decision you need to think long and hard about it. No one else can tell you what it right for you, it might seem hard but deep down you will know what's right for you.

If you have your BS/BA in any other field, and complete certain requirements you can apply to programs such as a 2nd BSN program which is usually an accelerated program lasting around 15 months. In this case if you were to get a BS and complete the proper prerequisites for programs in your area you may be able to start your nursing career sooner rather than later. I can't speak for how it would work in respect to your resume, or other issues like that, but if time is an issue for you I would consider it as an option.

I work at a LTC facility and I have been working there for the past three semesters as a full time college student (I'm currently a junior) taking five classes a semester and at least one class a summer semester, at a fairly prestigious private catholic college in my state. I work every Wednesday and Friday evening as well as every other Saturday and Sunday evening. It is not a decision that should be taken lightly but it is doable if you put your mind to it. My grades have no slipped since I started working, if anything they have improved because I learned how to better utilize my time, and how to better prioritize my assignment. If you are straight forward with your director of nursing at the time you apply for a position they should be willing to work with you, at least that is what i have found -- I am given time off at finals when I need it, I am allowed to change my schedule to fit my school schedule with each semester, however I do provide my facility with free reign over my breaks: I work full time over my winter break, I give up my spring breaks, my holidays, in addition to the majority of my summer. It is all a matter of how dedicated you are. No one can answer for you as an individual, are you the type of person that can handle maybe getting a little less sleep some times? Can you prioritize yourself and make sure you get all your work done? Are you willing to do some of your homework on your break? These are just some of the problems I've run into. Also are you going to be upset if you don't get a "normal" college experience and you can't go out on Friday or Saturday night because you had to work? Just think long and hard before you make any commitments, you don't want to wake up in four years and say "wow I wish I had been able to go out with my friends more"

I wore black dress pants, and a sleeveless blouse for my interview last summer... considering the heat in my town if I wore pants I couldn't wear sleeves. My only other piece of advice is make sure you can walk in your shoes, I was given a tour of the facility before my interview if you are tripping over yourself while walking around the facility it might make a bad impression. I know it sounds silly but little things like that matter.

I will be a junior this fall (I'm also a psych major and I'm in good academic standing at my college) and I work full time as a cna during school. For me it was important that I found a job willing to work around my school schedule, I tried to put as many of my classes on tuesday and thursday as possible so I could work 3-11 every other monday, every wednesday and friday, and every other weekend (again my boss is really accommodating so I was allowed to work at 4 on wednesdays because I had class until 3:20). The most important word of advice I can give you if you want to work full time while you're in school at any job not just a cna job is know your limits and be honest with yourself. Are you the type of person who is willing to/doesn't mind staying up until 3 in the morning if you have to because you have a paper due the next day and you had to work? Can you plan your time well enough that you are able to finish all of your homework on your days off and even get ahead with some readings? It takes a lot of commitment but if you are willing to put in the effort it is possible to do both and not have your grades suffer.

I completely agree! Honestly this was the part of the original post that bothered me the most, as a single person why should I have to do this sort of care... I feel as if this is a very misogynistic approach, because I am a single woman an someone else is not and a man has "claims" on them sexually I should have to do this sort of care? Just because I am choosing to be single does not mean I should be required to provide personal care for the opposite sex because my married or committed counterparts significant others may have an issues with them doing such a job... if anything that sort of preference could lead to a sexual harassment lawsuit. As someone else who is currently taking nursing requirements, taking full time classes towards a BA in psychology and works as a nurses aid, I think the OP needs to seriously reconsider if nursing the right field for them or not. This sort of bias seems to indicate that choices should be made toward another career choice. Just my

I took my LNA class during my senior year of high school, my class was on the weekend for six weeks. It is totally manageable and it really is a good way to get some experience before college so you can be sure of what you want to do.

The one thing I'm beyond fed up with is working short, I understand sometimes thing happen but I work second shift in LTC and it seems as though every time I work we are working short staffed. Being second shift administration leaves about an hour into our shift, activities finish up, and we are left with 4 LNAs and 2 RNs in our three floor facility. Normally this wouldn't be an issue but we've been getting so many new residents who are full care and take up enormous amounts of time that its impossible to get everyone in to bed before we are supposed to start toileting again at 9. You would think the logical thing to do would be to hire more people for second shift, but that isn't happening. Also, our Holiday policy is that part time and per diem employees must work one (of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years) and do not receive holiday pay, full time is required to work two holidays and I believe they do receive holiday pay. I worked on Thanksgiving, today I got called asking if I could come in to work because they only had 3 of 5 LNAs today. This weekend is supposed to be my weekend off as well and I already agreed to work tomorrow for someone who is out of town for the holiday. Needless to say I am not going into work, actually I've been feeling ill all day, but what bothers me the most is that if there was only three people scheduled this problem should have been addressed when the schedule came out five weeks ago, not the day of.

i didn't apply for a job for over a year of having my certification, because of other personal commitments and what not, but once i applied for jobs it only took me about two weeks. i actually got the first job i applied for and the one i wanted the most. i've been working there for four months and i absolutely love it. i hope you find something soon, good luck with your search

I work in assisted living, and I work second shift so most of my residents are asleep when I go home. I always say goodnight to them before bed, and for those who are still away when I'm on my way out I say "I'll see you tomorrow" or whatever the next day I'm working is.

if you still would like to work on your resume you can still use you "irrelevant" job experiences. i worked at three restaurant before my LNA job, you just need to highlight the parts of your job that are universal and helped you build qualities that make you the right person for the job... you didn't just work at a grocery store or make sandwiches you demonstrate professionalism and good communication skills with all customers, and complied with strict personal hygiene and maintaining of sanitary conditions.

Okay, don't wear scrubs definitely change into a nice outfit. If you plan on keeping it in your car keep your top hung up so that its not wrinkled. During my interview they asked me how I dealt with difficult customers at my previous jobs (I worked as a hostess, and at an ice cream stand), why I was interested in LCT, what my career goals were.. basically just a lot of versions of generic interview questions you can google. At my orientation the LPN that was doing our training told us that during interview they look for people who are good at customer service, they want someone who is friendly, and able to provide good survive to people who pay good money to live in their facility. The way she put it was "Some people pay over $7,000 a month to live here, we like to give them their moneys worth." Ask questions during your interview if you aren't sure about something, like "How many residents do you have?" "How many CNAs work each shift?" Those types of questions show your interest in the company. I didn't have experience as a CNA but I did work with run an after school program for refugee programs in town, so I made sure to talk about how my experiences there could apply to the world of LTC. Just be honest and be yourself. The fact that you are concerned enough to ask for advice on interviews definitely show that you are taking an interest in this job and I'm sure you will have a great interview!

I just got a job at a LTC in my town, I'm not CPR certified yet but I had looked into classes and was going to take one. At my interview I told the DON that I hadn't yet received my certification but I was planning on taking a class, cause like you said places require it.. She told me not to bother with the class because she had a bunch of nurses who needed to take a refresher class as theirs were about to expire so she was going to set something up for August and I wouldn't have to pay for it. Obviously being CPR certified will not hurt your chances of getting a job, but if you wait you might be able to get it through wherever you get a job.

i'm not sure which program i'd prefer, i mean when i think practically it might be nice to be able to start working sooner and then do an rn to bsn program later on. i just don't really know where to look at. i've seen the list on the nursing boards website i'm interested in what programs other people took and how they felt about them

Today I got a phone call from a LTC that I interviewed at last week, they were calling to see if i was able to attend orientation this coming Monday I am beyond happy about it, the job pays well for my area, I'm a college student and the hours are flexible enough to work while I'm in school. I asked the woman who called what to wear to orientation, apparently its an informal review of company policy etc day so just wear jeans and something comfy. I got my LNA last April and this is my first job using it, so to put it simply I need to refresh my memory on a couple of things. I got hired to work the 3 to 11 shift. Are there any specific things you can think of that are most important for me to go over again? What do you wish someone had told you before you started your first LNA/CNA job?