msmo

Thanks for the feedback, all. I will keep after the HR people I guess and keep looking for any type of work I can get in the meantime. :)

I know this will probably sound silly, but I actually found feeding a little tricky. Not the mechanics, but drawing the line between encouraging and pushing against their wishes to eat or drink more when you know they need it. The classes make such a strong point of residents rights to choose or refuse care, etc. Feeding the ones who don't have speech or cognitive function where they can really communicate that they are full or do or don't want any more presented questions too. When there was one handy, I would ask the staff CNAs that know the residents about them. If not, I was just guessing, trying to read reactions. Also, be prepared for the fact that some residents will make noises like you're hurting them, when you're really just doing their basic care, turns, etc. Of course, ask them what's the matter, in case it's something other than they don't like to be moved, etc., (like they rolled onto the call light or something), but just let them know you'll be as quick as you can and try not to sweat it too much (like I did). I only saw a couple of bed sores at the facility where I did my clinical and they seemed well cared for, clean and not nearly as gross as I've heard they can be. I am glad for those residents, but I almost wish I'd seen some bad ones just to know what they really are like, but I'm sure I will see them in time. We didn't have anybody chasing CNA students, so I can't speak to that one other than that I would use my "teacher/dog training" voice and say: "Hey! That is not allowed. You need to stop, now." and see how that worked. The thing I wasn't really prepared for was that instead of being appreciative for the extra hands or even courteously friendly, most of the staff either ignored us or were "chilly" toward us. I had trouble with a code on a door one day and the LPN (the only person around) acted like she was reallllly being put upon to walk the four feet over to the door to help me out with it (although in her defense, it may have been the first chance she'd had to sit down in hours...) There were a couple of friendly CNAs but the rest pretty much acted like we were bothering them if we asked where the clean linens were moved to, or "how do you know when M. is done eating?" Once, the three of us CNA students were feeding residents in the dining room and realized all the nursing home staff were all gone, nowhere to be seen. We were looking at each other like "...is this even legal?" (And I don't know the answer to that one, but I do know it was not cool...what if a resident had choked or had a CVA or something? That facility doesn't even allow CNAs - much less students - to do CPR, nurses have to.) On the bright side, I was surprised to find I loved working with the residents themselves who had some awareness and were able to interact. (Surprised because I had at one time a near-phobia of nursing homes and used to panic if I was in one for more than about 20 minutes.) Two of them were real crackups and we had a good time getting to know each other. I learned that while it might be awkward to ME to be changing their briefs and wiping up their privates etc, they are all so used to it they don't even blink no matter who is doing the task. M.

Hi all, I am planning a move to Las Vegas in July/August and am wondering how hard it is likely to be for a brand new CNA with 0 medical experience (but 15+ years of tech support/help desk/training background) to land a Unit Coordinator job. I was accepted (like everybody is, I guess) but haven't registered for classes yet at CSN to finish gen eds and pre-reqs (pre-nursing). I have just passed a CNA class and haven't gotten the state cert. exam done yet but will have by the time I move out there. (And will have an application in for a NV endorsement, too.) On a scale of 0=hopeless; look for LTC CNA work or tech work and have a backup plan to live on for 6 months-or so to 10=doable if I interview well... What do you think?? My friends that live out there are concerned it's going to take me forever to get a job of any kind, and that if I don't have one lined up before I come out, I'm going to eat through all my (not very big) savings and wind up broke and homeless. lol (They are much less optimistic types than I am, but I also know optimism doesn't pay the bills.) Thanks!

Congrats! Enjoy the classes (wow, about 3x more $ than my CNA+BLS class in MI, but includes more training than just CNA...nice! Good thing you have a grant!)! :yelclap:

Maybe try making a list of all the departments with their floor numbers and write it over and over (and over and over)? That technique helps me when I have a lot to memorize. Or do flash cards with department on one side, floor number on the other. You could always carry them in your pocket until you get them memorized too. :)

A fustercluck, lol, good word. It does sound like yours didn't go quite as planned...but I like how yours was planned, anyway. We had a couple of times where we'd go to do something and find our Rs. had been put to bed, or had their care charted by their regular aid even when we did the care. O.o At least our instructor warned us ahead of time not to expect that everything would go according to "how it's supposed to be done" in the actual day-to-day in a facility.

Thank you all so much for your responses! I am so glad to know I'm not the only one that had such an awkward clinical experience...and to know that doesn't mean I can't do the job. I have learned from the experience, for sure (and will continue to learn by reviewing how things went in the reality of the site, vs. the textbook way of things.) I had a little talk with my instructor on the last day that I wish I'd had on the first (about how even if the Rs. says "ow ow ow" we're not really hurting them when we're doing something they need to have done.) When I told her I was surprised at how un-confident I felt she said she knew I was feeling that way and that I should just quit that (and laughed...wasn't being mean, but I think she found it kind of funny b/c she knew I knew the skills). She said that the residents pick up on that lack of confidence and then they may feel insecure too and/or take advantage of it. So for anyone else who hasn't done clinicals yet, be sure to express your concerns to your instructor right away when you have them rather than feeling bad or fretting about things. (See, I learned that much! lol) I have final exam for class tomorrow and then the state exam to pass. Wish me luck! I think the hard part is over for now...until I start a job.

I just finished my CNA clinicals at a nursing home and I don't feel great about how it went. I was really nervous as I have never done any kind of health care work, and I know how fragile those elderly residents are. I'm normally pretty confident; I did really well in the class and labs, but I felt so unsure of myself and nervous in clinicals that I forgot details and made dumb mistakes (no harm to the Rs, but dumb nonetheless). To say I felt like a complete stumblebum would not be much of an exaggeration. I had imagined that our instructor was going to be present in the Rs. room with us so we'd be able to ask questions as they arose, etc. but after the first day, she was splitting her time among us as we worked with different residents, so that wasn't realistic. I am curious to know what other people's clinical experience was like. Did you have all your clinical days within a week's time after completing all the classwork and labs, or did you have them throughout your classes? Was your instructor with you in the Rs. room while you provided care, or were you alone or with another student some of the time? Were you more comfortable or did you feel more ignorant by the time your clinicals were over? Thanks, MsMo

Congrats!!

That's fantastic! Congratulations!! :)

I didn't know anyone to ask for recommendations in my area (SW MI) so I just looked on the MI BON website for approved CNA programs and chose one from their list. (Advance Medical Training, Inc.) They have small 4-week classes (6-8 students) and provide book, scrubs, stethoscope and charge just a bit over $1k, which is very close to - a little less, even - than some of the other programs I inquired about. No Red Cross CNA classes here, and our CC sends you to another (more expensive) training program whose 'evening' class times started too early for me presently working a full time day job.

Thanks! Love "Slow down, trigger happy!" lol I have a free app on my android phone called Speed Anatomy. Good for starting out at least. I haven't gotten too far into it yet.

Prayer said! Good luck! :)

Ooh, that's exciting! Good luck to you. I hope you get it!! :)

No problem. I'm taking it at a local medical training center (Advance Medical). They were listed on my state's board of nursing's approved training list and their class schedule worked out best for me.