viciousminty

Yes, especially if they are in their right mind about the situation. But then this can get complicated if it was a doctor order, who might be looking out for severe changes in her weight due to medication change and etc, you never know how high up on the list it is. It could be difficult, but not taking someone's vitals because they are feeling sick and tired are just as necessary. I had pt's that I had to watch out for who were excessively losing/gaining weight soo... It's just one of things that you chart about and have your charge nurse sign off on in case she opts to bring it up with the DON. It seems small and mundane but you never know how a family will react when they hear about the whole ordeal.

Yeeeah, right. It might just be that because your a brand new CNA with no exp you'll really feel the pressure in the beginning on top of going to school. Except no one can tell you what you can handle except for yourself and you'll eventually make that discovery. ULTIMATELY though its like saying not to work [nursing or not] and going to school is a bad idea, which in your case you'd know that any decent person who wants to work and go to school can do both.

I don't know the 'book' answers but a lot of those would be "all of the above" in real settings, obviously check if the urine bag is kinked somewhere because if you inform your charge nurse and she does the first thing, your gonna look pretty stupid & lazy and she'll probably chew you out about it. Not trying to be mean about it, just sayin'.

Ever look into Baby Phat scrubs? Some are 'stretchy' so they curve to you if you get the right fit/size.

Remember to take one day at a time.. No matter what. There is so much to do and it will feel like you never have enough 'energy' but be sure to just take it slow and enjoy it. It's school and they are there to grill you and remind you that it won't be so easy in the real field, but don't lose sight of what is important.

Back in the day the main question you'd get to work as a CNA is, "Have you ever cleaned up a child?" Just picture that with older folks for LTC. Now a'days your required to say that each and everyone is an individual etc, but your pretty much assisting people with stuff we do for ourselves. Shower, feed and change, look presentable. Considering the higher you get in nursing, people say, CNA is the dirty work and it kind of is. Once you graduate from CNA to LVN, your no longer really doing the blunt of the workload.

Two years back when I was hired brand new no exp/ I made 10.hr in Southern California with about a promise of a dollar raise for every year of exp. That was working in LTC. The only thing unfortunate was there was no change in wage if you worked evening or night shift although I heard a few other nurses mention that if you worked private ltc you made more, etc etc. Just stating what I know for a fact.

No one seems to realize you just said you were a single mom. You don't want to get caught up in the 'trap' of working as a CNA for the money that you make. It's wonderful to have that experience and you will certainly be stronger and more aware in nursing school but it doesn't necessarily mean at the end of the road, you'll be a better nurse because of it. Unless you have the time and time = money, to go through CNA then work, then go into RN school by all means that is a wonderful thing. I wouldn't put your RN on hold for it though, if you know what I mean.