Elvienm

Like 3 weeks after I Passed the state test. That's only because that was how long I waited to go out and look for a CNA job. I had No experience other that what i learned at the skills class I told the DSD that and she was cool with it. few minutes later I got interviewed by the DON and got hired. My orientation stared the next day. :) Good Luck!

Samsam22 I wonder if you can let me know when your hospital is hiring? I really want to work at a hospital, I live in SOCAL as well. But this days is hard to get a job if you don't have connections or know someone in there. Thank you!

Don't be so hard on your self.. You are not stupid, this happens all the times a lot of people fail for different reasons, but they all retake the test and pass. I think you were just too nervous. Just try ti relax the next time and you will be fine. Remember this is just the beginning NOT THE END of your career! I read something today that makes me think of you while reading your post. "Failing is not the End. The End is when you GIVE UP" DON'T GIVE UP! Cheer up and Good Luck Next time :)

I WISH I could take the 15 mins Break or even complete time on my lunch... I do clock out for lunch, but continue working, because, since I have to get all my patients up before noon most of the times I am not done by 11:30 (my lunch time) but when ever I can I take 5 to 10mins to eat my snacks...

My job is 1 hr without traffic,but week days when is traffic Its more like 2 hrs drive... I have done this for 5 years now and I don't complain...:) oh, and all my family lives like 1 1/2 hrs from home and I go visit them twice a month... I don't really mind driving long distance... Lucky all of you who only have to travel 15-30mins away... :)

Hi, I wonder if what I did was right? Here is the story: I was with a patient when the Ombudsman person come to talk to my patient. The lady start talking to the patient of her business with her. At this point I was still in the room and even though I didn't want to hear I did hear there conversation. (couldn't stop, I was still helping her putting my patients feet in bed) I asked if I could come back later, and the Ombudsman asked my patient, and she said " No its OK" so I continue doing what I was doing. And When the Ombudsman left, The DON come running into the room and start questioning me about what where they talking about, she wanted to hear everything from top to bottom... I was surprised, and confused by her questioning and Didn't know what to say. I finally told her "that I wasn't paying attention" and that I didn't hear any of their conversation... (I lied to her, cuz I did knew what they talked about.) But I don't think is right for me to tell my DON their conversation, because I feel like I will be violating the patients Rights... Is this right??? **Oh and my DON got really Mad at me and told me that "I SHOULD ALWAYS PAY ATTENTIONS OF WHAT THEY TALK..SPECIALLY WHEN IS THE OMBUDSMAN or the HEALTH DEPT SO I can tell them about it." then I say well I'm sorry I was too busy, and if you like you can asked the patient yourself...OMG!!! I shouldn't say this because SHE GOT REALLY MAD and UPSET at me.... I just wonder if I did right or not... Thanks!

I personally Recommend you to go straight to RN. Good Luck! ( you do know there are some pre-reqs you need to finish first, right ? if not just try to take them now while your still in HS that way your ahead and don't waste time..Check with your state colleges for pre-reqs and when can you take the classes. :redbeathe

Oh, don't get me wrong. I got busy as crap...too. Its just that for some reason I was expecting to learned more or get other type of experience as well. and yes I do Feel PROUD of making a difference on my patients life, Because to be brand new and have learn this right away. I am always told by the family members or oriented patients that I do GREAT work! it makes me feel Good. But I wonder if the routine it's the same every where?

Hi, I am a CNA in Ca. I graduate last December, and got a job in a LTC in January. Well I been here for about 3 months now and for some reason I am getting bored of the routine at the LTC, I want to continue studying to become LVN but at this time I can't (financial problems) my problem is, that I am getting bored here, because I usually have the same assignment every day, Do the same thing every day. I am the kind of person that likes to learn different things. For some reason I feel like there is nothing else to learn here..But patient care, we usually only do ADL. We don't do blood pressure, ROM, or other related stuff we supposed to perform as CNAs all these are done by others. This is my typical day at work. 700 do rounds and check for wet diapers-Briefs. 730 pass BF trays. 800 remove trays. 830 start with showers. 900-1230 get all residents up. 1230-Lunch trays- help with feedings. 1330-remove trays. 1400-1430-put everyone back to bed and change diapers. 1445-Document in chart. 1300 Finish my shift. This is EVERY DAY, same routine.... I am thinking of looking for other Facility, but is it like this in every LTC? I can't apply at any hospital yet, because I only have this much experience and in most hospitals required at least 1 year exp. What Can I do? to not get or feel bored?

Yeah I agree with caliotter3, you will need BLS Health-care Provider. and it has to be from the American Hearth Association. (well that's what they told me when my school requested the CPR) because some other people bring one from the Red Cross and it was rejected. you should asked your school. But I definitely will recommend the American Heart Asst. Good Luck! :)

Hello, I am confused between a CNA Vs Nursing Attendant I or II ? what is the difference ? and why its called different? I read the duties for a Nurse Attendant I and there all same as a CNA. But I don't know what is it called NA? If anyone knows this please explain to me. (oh, I am asking because there is a job opening for Nurse Assistant I and I want to apply, but I only have my CNA License. ) I would Really appreciate your help. Thanks

Hello, I have a dilemma, I'm currently working in a convalescent home as CNA, I been having some bad experiences here since I start working here and start looking for another job, so I got a job offer at Sunrise Senior living. I didn't knew until after I accept the job when I asked if I was hired as CNA the lady told me No that I was hired as a Care giver, and my CNA license won't be working. I don't know what to do now? at Sunrise its less stress and pressure with the residents, but I do want to work my license, because I wan to get enough experience so in the future I can apply at a Hospital. Please give me some advise, What would you do in my place.. Thank you!

I just want THANK YOU ALL. I feel much better now. and I understand that some times things happens without expectations. And No, the lady Didn't need any special alarm. but I did forgot to mention that the left side of her body is paralyzed. But she felt on her right side. And after reviewing at my thought with my head cool. I remember that the way she was laying on the floor it looks like she did stood up then lose balance, because the wheel chair was to her foot and not near her head, ( Before I thought that may be she slide down from the chair but it this would of happen the chain could of be above her head.) ?? But I did notice that she may need more attention because she starts to get very confused. I now understand that I may have to get used to all these different things. Thanks you all and God may bless us all for doing our best EVERY DAY!!

Does anyone has or is currently working at Sunrise Senior Living? if so how are things there? Tomorrow I have a Job interview :) for this place, and I don't know what to expect... Any info will be appreciated. Thanks

Please Excused my ignorance. is there any difference between CNA and PCA? if there is. What is it?

Hi, I feel really depressed. On Saturday morning 7am I start my routine, change diapers and get my patients up and ready for breakfast. to make long story short, this is what happened. After I remove the tray from my patient, I left her sited on the Wheel chain, asked if she needs to use the bathroom(she said "No, I'm Fine") and left the call light within reached. I then continue removing trays from the rest of my patients, I was just next door when All of the sudden I hear another CNA screaming for HELP! so I immediately come out and ran to the room, when to my surprise my patient was laying on the floor. I didn't know what to do or say.. other than "I'm sorry" she was fine, she had no blue marks or mayor injuries. When they asked her what happens she didn't even knew. She though she was in bed. Her family got told of what happens and her son come right away. I was in the room when he showed up.. I then felt scared and start crying. I told him "Sorry" and that I was out of the room when that happen. He said its Ok. But somehow I feel really bad, because I'm only here for about 3 weeks this is my first CNA job, and this is the first time this happen to me.. now I don't know if this is going to affect my record, and or if I should continue with this job. Any comments and support will be appreciated.

I got my CNA training at a VA facility and I LOVE IT!! my main Goal is to work there, But when I got my License they were not hiring I have already tried other places before and NOTHING IS COMPARED to the VA.. Specially the pay...$$$ at the VA is much, much better for example outside VA CNA got paid like 10-12 max per hr. At the VA the pay is $31-36K per year... do the math. Besides when you work at the VA you are automatically a FEDERAL EMPLOYEE, and this will make things easily for you in the future to get a job at any other State or Federal Hospital.. For what I have search and information I have found, It's MUCH BETTER working at a VA facility than else where... But only you can decide. Good Luck!

All i can say it's that I understand you PERFECTLY! because same thing happens to me. I finish school in December and by January I had already a job at a LTC. Having no experience in this field before, I felt that everything was really hard and rush for me, I was on orientation for 4 days, but from my point of view the people I was with on orientation were not exactly good people. I only learn what NOT TO DO, or treat patients. They left out A LOT OF IMPORTANT information. I was assigned eight patients to MYSELF alone on the 5th day. I didn't have the patients information, I didn't know if they needed a shower, activities, or Therapy ? there was A LOT of missing information the RN or nurse charge left out & didn't tell me bout them. In other words they just trow me there to figure it out by myself. it was 11 am and I had only 4 patients ready for lunch,.,I felt really disappointed and frustrated. I had no help of any kind from other CNA's, that day I left home crying. I was schedule the next day but I called and say I had an emergency. After that I though that I should NEVER GO BACK, but after thinking about the patients that I made laugh, and smile. I told myself I think I could make a difference for all the elders who's families don't remember about them anymore or just stop visit them for x reasons. I will definitely want to treat them better that other CNA's make a difference in their lives and even make their last days happy. I Just encourage myself to continue helping people that needs me the most. :) so I am still there and so far I been there for 2weeks now.

What I did was: made flash cards with each skill and practice specially memorized what item needed for ea skill once I knew what to use its very easy to remember how to use on the skill, one week before the test. I practice with my classmates facing the cards down, exactly the same way when you picked the card on the test day. This helps me a lot, and on the writing test, our instructor gave us a practice test of 150 questions and when I took the writing test it was very, very similar to the practice test. But No matter what you do Or what I did the nerves are ALWAYS THERE.. and what my TA suggested, she said the night before the test just relax, don't open the book and don't worry about the skills, just relax, take a shower, go to sleep early and fresh your mind..I did as what she told me and everything come out GREAT! oh another tip. Before you take the skills test or writing test eat a piece of Dark chocolate, this will make you relax (well thats what I was told, I did it and it really helped. :) ) Good Luck and I know you will be good.

I don't know where you are? I am from California, and I took my CNA course through a program called WERC. They paid everything for me I didn't put a Pennie out of my pocket. (their requirements were to live within the LA area and to be from a low income family) they are a nonprofit organization and receive Grands to provide scholarships to people like me. But you should also check at the Work source centers they have programs for younger adults. Specially if you are between the ages of 21-26 years old, and sometimes they even paid you to take the course, they called like experience paid program or Internship program. I hope this info is helpful to you. Good Luck.

Hi, I did my training at a Veterans Home and I love it. I don't know how many residents you have to take care of in the VA you are working, but while I was taking the training at the facility I was, ALL Cna's got assignments of 4-6 residents max. I am currently working at a LTC facility and we got assign 8-11 patients per shift. The wage its better at a VA than a LTC. Also you have to consider that you are already an state employee and this could be easier for you to apply on any State Hospital. I personally REALLY would love to work at a VA rather than a LTC. But I just checked and they closed the application acceptance back in December. I will just stay at the LTC to get some experience and apply to the VA later on when they have any available openings.

Do you mind telling me where this place is? I leave near by.And currently looking for a job. you can email me if you like [email protected] Thanks!

CA-San Fernando Valley All CNA's here at A LTCF gets paid $10 dls, after 3mo. u got benefits, but just the health insurance cost $1100 per month! I only have 8 days here, but is so bad that I want to quit!

Hey,SamSAm22 Do you mind telling me where you work? I want to get some kind of experience in med-surg. Cuz I have no exp at all.

Hi, same thing happens to me, I was already GIVING UP, when one day I search and get telephone #'s for all the LTC facilities near my area. And after the 8th place I called they told me "Yes we are currently Hiring" so I flew there, ready and with my resume and application ready. I got interviewed on the spot and got hired.. I stared my orientation the following day. So I will suggest you do the same and try to get a job at a LTC instead of a hospital, because it seems to me that hospitals do required at least 6m exp. I am planning to stay here at least the 6m just while I got exp. Then start looking for a Hospital job. by the way, the Director of nursing seems to like that I am a volunteer at a Convalescent Ambulatory Care Facility.. I really Wish you the best and Don't give up so easily. It is hard but with perseverance WE ALL CAN DO IT! Good Luck!