northernguy

northernguy

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All Content by northernguy

  1. Horrible First Day; How to cope?!

    northernguy replied to tammy_zeidan09's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    This is pretty common from my experience. My first CNA job was in LTC and I later took a job in a hospital, and both orientations were horrible and pretty much exactly as you described. I pretty much...

  2. New CNA trying to develope a routine/issues with other CNA's

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

    This aide told you to say yes SIR to him? Thats not normal behavior, unless he was joking, it sounds like this person may have actual mental issues. I would just try to ignore him, he is a nurse aide,...

  3. Hard Time Finding Brachial Artery

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

    If you trace a straight line from your pinky finger straight up to the crease of your elbow you are going to be in the right area, you might have to search around a little from there, but it will be...

  4. Has a co-worker ever tried to get you fired?

    northernguy replied to Ev1987's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    From my experience this stuff happens all the time in health care, at least among aides. I've worked at a place where some aides were always convinced other aides were out to get them fired, sometimes...

  5. Any CNA also took EMT-b training or vice versa?

    northernguy replied to rayne215's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I got my EMT license a few years ago and my CNA cert a couple years ago. I would definitely get both if you can. Being a CNA will be beneficial working as a new RN, and getting your EMT would be...

  6. Frustrated, need to vent.

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

    College loans are hard to come by these days. If you cant get money for the MA program then you may simply have no choice but to travel long distance to attend a CNA class. This may create hardship,...

  7. Back breaker / ergonomics

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

    Why wouldnt floor mats, bed alarms, and other measures be sufficient for the patient's safety. The OP stated some of these people were on turn schedules, so its not like they are ambulatory and can...

  8. Back breaker / ergonomics

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

    I have heard that some facilities are doing this for high fall risk residents in order to avoid injuries. I guess its a trade off, they are trading the physical well being of the staff for increased...

  9. Slower pace environment for CNA's?

    northernguy replied to Baubo516's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Home health aide sounds like your best bet, or hospice aide if that is something you would like to do, that certainly wouldnt be for everybody though. I think in any LTC facility youre going to be...

  10. Advice on becoming a cna

    northernguy replied to greenmic1's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Being a male isnt as big a problem as youd think. It does pop up from time to time though. If someone objects to having a male take care of them and there isnt a female CNA who can simply switch...

  11. Why do nurses have to be so mean to nursing students?

    northernguy replied to patty554's topic in General Students

    Theres no excuse for it, period. If you didnt have lunch because you were too busy, blame your employer, not some student. The Nurse is getting paid for their time, the student isnt. When I was in the...

  12. PCT I & O test questions??

    northernguy replied to cindympk67's topic in Patient Care Technician, Assistants

    I cant imagine it being more than simple arithmetic. Measuring output on an infant might mean you have to weigh an empty diaper, then weigh the soiled diaper and subtract to get the difference. It...

  13. No experience.....no job, no job.....no experience!!!

    northernguy replied to StarLite1980's topic in Patient Care Technician, Assistants

    The phlebotomy, EKG and other certs probably arent helping you any, especially when applying for LTC jobs. Employers might be worried that you wont be satisfied with the job you took and you wont stay...

  14. New CNA's in the hospitals

    northernguy replied to sander1x's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    If you cant find a hospital job, then work in LTC or rehab to gain experience. I worked in LTC for over a year and a half before also getting hired at a hospital. You might not learn as much as in a...

  15. Is it worth it to take an Acute CNA class?

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

    If you have the opportunity to take it then I would do it. I think most states dont have CNA 2 or advanced CNA or any of that stuff, just CNA, and everything else is OJT. Thats the way it is where I...

  16. CNA vs. PCT

    northernguy replied to CNA/glorified maid's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    7.50 an hour? For a CNA job? WOW, thats literally the same as working at a fast food joint. Really sounds like a place Id wanna send my grandma to. This must be one of those "right to work"

  17. What kind of job can a CNA with phlebotomy certification expect to find?

    northernguy replied to CNA1991's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    If your friend is worried about getting their hands dirty as a CNA, just tell them thats what gloves are

  18. Mouth Care

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

    Obviously working short staffed would change a lot, but I dont have that problem where I work, since we are always fully staffed(which means we have to stay for a second consecutive shift fairly...

  19. Mouth Care

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

    I usually do oral care on all the people I have. I might make an exception if they are someone who is combative or totally uncooperative and attempting it is going to really stress them out and eat up...

  20. na1 to EMT-B?

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

    Im a CNA and an EMT. CNA and EMT are two totally different jobs with totally different training. About the only similiarities are both learn to take vital signs. There is no bridge that im aware of,...

  21. Battling your CNA colleagues

    northernguy replied to jdchisolm68's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Sounds like someone trying to take advantage of a new CNA. Happened to me all the time when I was new. Where I work RNs that work the floor generally stay out of disputes between aides. They leave it...

  22. Patient Care Tech in the Emergency Room

    northernguy replied to Birdbr's topic in Patient Care Technician, Assistants

    If you want to work as an ER tech, it helps a lot to get your EMT license, in fact most places probably require it. Some might even require you be a paramedic. The odds of getting hired as an ER tech...

  23. Any CNA's work a few shifts per month in LTC to keep skills honed?

    northernguy replied to tomc5555's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Its possible. The LTC facility I work at has aides who work PRN in the float pool and only work a couple weekends a month plus whatever shifts they pick up. I do the same thing at a hospital med/surg...

  24. How to get a job as a PCT

    northernguy replied to mamayogibear's topic in Patient Care Technician, Assistants

    If you cant find a job as a "pct" in a hospital then work as an aide in LTC to get some experience. Hospital and LTC differ obviously, and you will probably learn more in a hospital, but you can still...

  25. For profit learning centers: are they good places to get your CNA certification?

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

    If its a concern I would ask to see the classroom where they learn their clinical skills. It should have hospital beds of some sort with mannequins for students to practice on. Along with medical...