Getreal2011

BTW - Didn't have to correct this, but I will being that we're helping each other out. "definately" should be "definitely"

Actually, I didn't say that I never got a thermometer. - R.I.F. I am resourceful, not to mention my previous jobs were in management...so, relax a little. I was new, just learning the ropes, and was not going to make waves with someone who obviously was having a bad day. Sometimes you need to observe, watch and observe. I did not fail in the role, the role was not for me at that time. In case you did not understand the first post, I resigned because I had other priorities (not to mention the physical strain was a little much for me to handle). There is a difference. My priorities remain - finish school (2nd degree) and not with a C average (I maintain an "A" avg.). No one said, that I was NOT a change maker. My whole life right now is about change. However, you need to use wisdom in all that you do, and life is a learning experience. Everything isn't for everyone. That's why every nurse doesn't work at a nursing home, and every nurse doesn't work with kids, and every nurse doesn't work in oncology. It's about finding out what suits you and what you have the knack for...this includes determining what is NOT for you. I'm glad you edited "staff" with the right word. Unlike you, I am not here to act like I know it all or discourage anyone else. Not to mention, I'm under the weather and home in bed. MY statement remains, I still believe CNAs should know what they are dealing with. Two girls said they got sick from working there. Thanks for your comment...I guess.

Well, that was short lived. I learned some things though. I had to resign, first because my studies began to suffer. I had to ask for an extension on a paper and fell behind quick on other stuff. School is something I take seriously. Sacrifice now for a better future. Second, I injured my back and I just couldn't do the lifting and pulling. I also, felt like I could take better care of those folks if I had more time. I had about 15 people and the hall I trained on was NOT the hall they placed me on my first week alone. The nurse on duty even asked, why I was placed on a hall where I needed even further training. That hall was some kind of specialty hall with suites and stuff. A lot of the girls didn't use the lifts. The main reason, because by the time they would locate a lift and get the person in it...a half hour would pass. Two things that kinda of got on my nerve some: 1) There was one night when I got all my vitals done except one temp. I had been searching for one of the thermometers for over an hour. Could not find one! So, I went to the other hall and asked if I could borrow one real quick, because I had to take a temp on the shared hall. The response I received was so nasty, I could do nothing but stand there in utter amazement. I'm not asking to borrow it to play with it, sell, trade in, or anything other stupid thing. I'm trying to do a job and help take care of someone. I just looked and said, "ummm okay, thanks?" and kept it moving. 2) The other thing is, I think CNAs should know if a resident has a contagious disease like staff. There were several people I was assigned to take care of that had contagious situations. If it were not for the other CNAs I would have never known. I've been sick ever since... I guess it was a learning experience.

Okay, so I was blessed and now I have my first job as a CNA. I went through a three day training last week, but I still feel so nervous about being out on my own this coming Tuesday. I thought about not working as a CNA, that's how nervous I am. The two young ladies I trained with have a lot of confidence in me, that I'll get the hang of things. I don't have the routine down quite yet, and I feel like I'll take to long to do stuff and be late getting my folks to dinner and ready for bed (I work 2nd). Oh gosh...just a couple of more days to go and the real test will be staring me in the face. I'm in school and it's already putting a strain on me as far as having time to complete assignments and study. I'm trying not to get stressed out. I would like to hear from other CNAs that work 2nd shift what their routine is like? Were you nervous your first day on the floor alone? How long did it take for you to feel really comfortable with your job? I dunno what to do.....

I've had similar experiences in life. As hard as it was, I did learn something though. I realized what I did not want to be like when it was my turn to be in that position. It's hard, especially when you are a person that is quick to check someone on their attitude towards you. I have been advised, by a few very successful people that I sincerely admire, to "kill them with kindness". People act this way for a number of reasons. One common reason is that they are insecure with who they are and their abilities. When you DO NOT act like them it makes them look retarded. LOL You come out looking like who you are, an intelligent, hard working, eager learn, and mature individual. It makes their bad attitude stand out, and trust me there will come a time when that foul attitude will be checked and corrected by the appropriate person. What goes around...comes around without delay. A good friend of mine had to remind me of this lately (due to a personal situation) - Never let anyone else's action, demeanor, or response change who YOU are as a person! Don't think of it as a bad experience, think of it as a learning experience that is now over and done with. One day, that very same person will probably have to come to you and ask for assistance and you will have the opportunity to "check her" in a tactful way!

Wooohooo for you!!! I pray, I pass the 1st time around. It's funny you suggested the scrubs. I was just thinking about that the other day. I think it will put me more in the frame of mind I need to be in. Oh and caffeine is a what...MUST..hellllooo! Especially, if I get a morning appointment. My test site is 40 minutes away from my house. Thank you.

i agree and i have been looking, but i have not seen any resumes that have (i'm not sure how to express this) a change of career. all the resumes i have seen are completely healthcare. not say...teaching and now a second career just beginning in healthcare. you understand what i'm trying to say? i'm definitely going to see how missmolly has hers set up just to get an idea. you guys have been very helpful thank you.

OMG!!! Yes, you are a God-sent! I mean or course I have a few resumes, but all with other experience. I was going to create a new one as you suggested, but I was going to totally leave off all my other experience. Please do send me yours. I will send you a pm with my email address (if I can figure out how lol). THANK YOU!!

I just finished a CNA training course and will be taking the state test soon, so I'm also working on a resume. I have extensive experience and a bachelor's degree in another field. However, I have not been working for a while now, which is why I changed career goals. This new resume will be strictly for applying for CNA positions. I'm wondering if I should include any of my previous experience on this new resume?

Thank you! I'm glad you said that! During clinicals we really didn't do any ROMs skills, so I'm not experienced that much with them. Definitely going to have to go over those. Thank you, once again.

Yes, I am practicing, definitely! I hope to goodness I'm not given BP. I wrote out some flashcards and have been watching videos on Youtube. I have to remember also, to provide privacy. Thank you for the vote of confidence.

Thank you! I will try my best not to. :)

:ancong!: to you!!!! I love the pick a skill out of the hat idea. I am scheduling my exam date on Monday. I'm going to use that to practice.

Thank you! I passed the class! :) Now I just have to pass the state exam...

Yay for you!!!!

I just finished clinicals this past week. We did use them during class. While during clinicals at a nursing home, I did notice that a good few CNAs had their own. I paid about $35 for a stethoscope and cuff.

I am really happy that I passed my CNA training course. It was kind of sad saying goodbye to everyone. We wound up being a very small group and grew rather close. :heartbeat I am soooooo nervous about taking the state exam though. I am going to schedule on Monday and expect to have an exam date for sometime in April. Any tips from anyone who has already taken the exam???? Thank you in advance.

Thank you! I'm not going to give up. It was tempting to just challenge and go take the test. I figured I'm half way through why do that now? Great job...well....I'm trying my best that's all I can do. :) Thank you for your words of encouragement!

Don't dread it! I was venting about one day. Overall it has been a good experience. We all go through tough spots, me and you included. I actually had a night or two where I wasn't ready to go. It will be a good experience. Probably not easy, but good. Like all of these wonderful folks here have told me...YOU CAN DO IT!!

I thought it was going to be that way. I would have loved for it to be like that, because then I would get to see some of the residents more than once. The CNAs that work there are nice though. We have to actually ask them if they need help. It just so happened that on that night, no one was around for some reason and there were a bunch of lights on. I didn't mind helping of course. I prefer to work than stand around not doing anything.

You're absolutely right. It was probably just a rotten day. I do try extra hard, so it does bother me more than some others I guess. I love your enthusiasm!!!

It hasn't been all bad at all. I have had some pretty good experiences doing this. It was very enlightening for me, because I didn't really know any of my grandparents. My mom's parents died when she was very young, and my father and his parents were not really in touch when they were alive. I got to spend some good time with the residents. I posted on one of my other posts that one little lady just wanted me to hold her hand.:redbeathe She was so sweet. I guess what they say is true, that nothing worth having comes easy.

Thank you, I need all the luck and prayers I can get! :) I am definitely not new at having to respond in a professional and respectful manner. I am not new to the workforce or educational environment. That being said, I did not think it was appropriate to discuss anything at that point. When I posted this "vent" this had just happened that night. I just wanted to get it off my chest. Personally, I feel it is best to sometimes step back, let the situation diffuse a little bit, and then discuss. I really do not want to make a big issue out of it, because I want to pass the training and get on with reaching the final goal. Several students have not returned to clinical and are going to "challenge" and go take the state test. I prefer to get the hands on experience. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely like my instructor! The instructor has done a phenomenal job. Clinical was not over, and there were six of us there. We all have bad days and that is understandable. There were many times I had a bad day, but I had to be careful about not bringing it to work as much as I could. I know it gets hard. From the student's prospective, when experiencing something like this, it can chip away at your motivation and your spirit. In my opinion, that is also very important, especially when you are learning a skill that requires dealing with other people. Instructors and students are human and adults, we can both learn from each other. You are absolutely right! I am competent and that is why I am not going to make an issue of this. We have 5 more days to go and then we are done. I have thought about it, and sometimes you have to see the bigger picture. This is just a stepping stone and not the first one I have come across. My vent was not about being competent (however, I'm not incompetent) it was about fairness. Reality is... no one is forcing any of us to do this. I did not get a grant, a loan or any of that wonderful stuff. I paid for this training with cold, hard, green cash. I have always taken my careers and my studies very seriously. All I request is that I am given a fair chance. I will take your advice and try to relax and just do the best I can do.

Tonight was difficult. I do not find situations with the residents extremely stressful, it's other things. Before we got to clinicals we were told to jump in and there wouldn't be a lot of hand holding. No problem. Tonight everyone was reprimanded because we were not able to be found for a few minutes. We were all helping with residents. When we help with residents we provide privacy by closing the door. I understand that the instructor needs to generally know where we are, but the insinuation that some people were goofing off was just not right. No one, and I mean NO ONE, has time to goof off. We run around like chickens with our heads cut off from the time we step in the place, until the time we leave. Personally, I was looking for the instructor and the instructor was in a room for a while with a resident. I walked down one hall and there were quite a few lights on. The one CNA there asked if I would help her quickly get someone to the toilet. I said, "yes". Was I supposed to say, "no"? Then 15 minutes before we were due to go home a student needed help with a woman who had to use the bathroom. I got pulled from the room I was in. Everyone else (who lives no more than 20 minutes from the place) was on their way out the door, we were just getting started. I live 1 hour and 15 minutes away. Okay, so I went and got our supplies because she needed a few things done. We finished 40 minutes later. Okay, I can swallow that one. :smackingf Here is what I cannot deal with.... Don't and I mean DO NOT even think for one minute that it's okay to insinuate that we are not working. I get home every night after 10pm (tonight 11pm). Back aching, feet aching, and everything else aching. While I'm there I am constantly working with residents and staff. If I'm not helping them I'm restocking supplies in rooms. If it's slow we have even been instructed to wipe down handrails and clean portable toilets. I have never performed housekeeping duties in my life, outside of taking care of my own home. So, there is no way, that the idea of "goofing off" should even come to mind! Second, if we are sent to take care of one thing and you tell us in the midst of doing it...to do something else, don't chastise us because we don't have enough/or appropriate supplies and have to go get more. If we would have known you wanted us to do something else we would have prepared for it. I can take a lot of things, but those are not included:down:. Don't know if I will last another 2 weeks.