northernguy

northernguy

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All Content by northernguy

  1. Challenging CNA exam in a few weeks. NERVOUS

    northernguy replied to on eagles wings's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Congragulations on passing. Just be aware that working as a CNA can be a difficult job. It's harder than it looks, especially as a brand new CNA. If you havent gone through a CNA class or done any...

  2. ER nurse getting paramedic

    northernguy replied to jedi88's topic in Emergency

    I agree becoming an EMT would be beneficial, even though EMT basics have a very limited scope of practice(they dont even trust us with needles). Where it might be beneficial is having a better...

  3. Dead Patients!!!!!!

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

    I think this is one of those things that people seem to think will be a big deal, but after they experience it turns out not to be. I've never heard of anyone who had to give up being a CNA or nurse...

  4. Challenging CNA exam in a few weeks. NERVOUS

    northernguy replied to on eagles wings's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    So anyone can just take the CNA exam in Florida, no class

  5. Two quick questions about blood pressure

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

    Just practice practice practice, on as many different people as you can. Make sure you understand where the brachial artery is(the medial side of the crease of the elbow). Also I would use the last...

  6. I need to vent.

    northernguy replied to y&rfan84's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Sounds like your experience is pretty much the norm unfortunately. I went through orientation with a group of brand spanking new CNAs, and it didnt take long for the more experienced CNAs who oriented...

  7. ER nurse getting paramedic

    northernguy replied to jedi88's topic in Emergency

    Im neither an RN or a Paramedic(I'm a CNA and a licensed EMT), but I've worked with both, and my opinion is that although it certainly wouldnt hurt for an ED nurse to be a paramedic, becoming a...

  8. FED UP CNAS!!!!

    northernguy replied to marineswife0809's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Things arent likely to get any easier for CNAs. The reality is people are only willing to spend so much on taking care of gramma when shes too old to care for herself, but at the same time they demand...

  9. Working in a nasty nursing home

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

    I work at a nursing home that has a great reputation. You cant find a better place to live if your someone that needs round the clock care. BUT as far as working there as a CNA, its extremely...

  10. HELP CNA

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

    Whatever class you pick, just make sure at the end of it you are authorized to take the state CNA exam(assuming NC has one), and that the course prepares you for the exam. As for whether the school...

  11. Hospital CNA needs help with a LTC issue

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

    Generally it would be the CNA who is responsible for making sure the people they are taking care of have supplemental o2 if they need it, at least where I work. Obviously some CNA at some point forgot...

  12. CNAS, what's it like at your nursing home/long term care facility?

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

    I see a lot of CNAs on here going on about how lazy or incompetent other CNAs are. I think this finger pointing and backstabbing is part of the reason being a CNA in a LTC is such a horrible job....

  13. Would high education background be a burden for employment?

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

    I definitely would not mention that you worked at a nursing home for a couple weeks before deciding it wasnt for you, as that is almost exactly what an employer would be afraid might happen if they...

  14. Best shift for a new CNA?

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

    I would say day shift is by far the hardest, followed by nights, and afternoons or 2nd shift a distant third, which means 2nd shift would be the best for a newbie. Some places might have fewer CNAs...

  15. "Oh, you're a guy? I can't hire you"

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

    About the idea that places like to hire male CNAs to do the heavy lifting. Thats probably true, but keep in mind that while men might have more upper body strength, that has its limitations when...

  16. Question on what is an Emergency Care Technician...?

    northernguy replied to WCSU1987's topic in Patient Care Technician, Assistants

    ER techs are basically nurse aids that work in an emergency room. Most EDs require they have at least an EMT-Basic license, some require they be Paramedics. I think most of them start IVs, which...

  17. Difference between CNA duties at nursing home and hospital

    northernguy replied to Regina01's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    If at all possible, I would take a Hospital job. A lot easier on the back and less stressful than working in a nursing home, plus you will have an opportunity to learn more. I cant think of any...

  18. My Clinical Experience is Boring!

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

    How busy it is depends on how many people you are taking care of. Taking care of say 3 people is a lot different than taking care of 8. As stated this sounds like a pretty typical LTC setting, maybe a...

  19. Need some encouragement because I don't think I'm cut out for this (sort of long)

    northernguy replied to sunflower777's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    We had a bunch of people call in sick one time, so they ended up having an RN, who had never been a CNA, work as a CNA for a while. I have to admit it was amusing when one of the residents she was...

  20. pre-CNA student scared to death of the clinicals and the clinical exam

    northernguy replied to bobbysgirl927's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Just remember the point of clinicals is to learn. No one should expect you to do everything perfect. Dont sweat the small stuff. If you are struggling with something or make a mistake life goes on....

  21. CNA-Undecided if Am or Pm shift

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

    Where I work, day shift is much more difficult than evenings or nights. You dont have time to take breaks, or take lunch, you are going non stop from the time you get the first resident up until the...

  22. thrown to the wolves?

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

    We had a week of orientation, but the person I shadowed couldnt teach a fish how to swim. They were supposed to be teaching me exactly how the facility wanted things done and how to chart and document...

  23. CNA training

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

    I took my CNA exam in Michigan a week ago, so I dont know how much it differs from FL. One of the skills I got was partial bedbath. I just had to wash face on down to chest, along with arms and back....

  24. CNA and EMT job opportunities

    northernguy posted a topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Hello I've been a state licensed and nationally certified EMT-B for several months, and just recently completed a CNA course and just passed my Michigan CNA exam. There are no EMS jobs near me, so I'm...

  25. CNA and EMT job opportunities

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

    Ctmed.......This ER sitter is a volunteer position? I did over 40 hours of ER clinicals for EMT school and the ER I worked at didnt have anything like that. Then again it was a fairly small ER, they...