nursetabitha

You got the two I dreaded. Lol! (Peri care and occupied bed). Here's what I got: 1) handwashing 2) blood pressure 3) ROM shoulder/arm 4) nail care 5) feeding a client

Oh great idea! I'll check that out. Thanks!

So here's another question to add: where to go to get vaccines done on a nursing students salary?

Yes, I do know the difference between a CNA and a tech... *rolls eyes*

It's nice to see a thread that appreciates CNA's. :) We seem to be in the minority on this forum. I am blessed to have a CNA job making $11.25/hr while going to nursing school.

I know I will need vaccines for school. I hate that I have to get them, but anyway, I've never had chicken pox nor been vaccinated for it and I'm probably even due for another tetorifice shot. So I'm probably gonna need everything in the book. So my question is, how far ahead of time do I need to get my vaccines started? I asked my supervisor at school and he said I won't need to worry about it until I start the first semester because we don't have clinicals until the second semester. In your opinion and/or experience, should I trust him on that and wait to get them started? Or is one semester really enough time to get them all up to date? I've heard some horror stories about students who didn't get vaccines done in time and had to miss an entire semester if not the whole program.

Yep, no surprise there! This economy is tough.

Wow, that's just crazy! So we're supposed to pay off our loans for that 4 year degree on $10 an hour? I'd like to know what the cost of living is in the area where this job is located. The only way I can see that being a possibility is in a very low income, rural area. Like everyone said, employers can afford to be picky and pay less because there are so many new grads that are desperate for a job, and not just in healthcare.

I'm in WA as well and I am a brand new CNA with no experience. I got a job in a skilled nursing/rehabilitation facility (really nice place, brand new) and I am starting at $11.25/hr. And they are willing to work around my school schedule too.

I've been a nanny, pet sitter, house sitter, and non licensed private caregiver.

I know what you're talking about. I'm a new CNA and start work next week. Also planning on working as a CNA while going to LPN school which starts in July. Feel free to message me if you want. There is a CNA forum in here under the nursing student forum. That's where you can CNA related questions.

I'm 26 and I chose not to go the long route for the least expense (community college). I want to be a nurse in a year, not 3-5. :) My LPN program is $29k. To me, time is money. I would rather pay more and double my income sooner. I already plan on doing bridge programs for my RN and BSN. You should still be able to get plenty of grants and loans if you go the LPN route and then bridge into an RN program. It's what works for me since I just don't have time to sit around wait to get my career going.

I am a CNA, while in LPN school, and I actually agree with the original poster. It is dangerous for a CNA or tech to allow someone to think that they are a licensed nurse. That being said, I'm sure you all still treat the CNA's with respect since they do a lot of the dirty work. :)

@chesccrp, yep, I downloaded all the free NCLEX apps even the ones for RN (I will be taking the PN exam first). I've already learned a ton by practicing using common sense to answer the questions and then looking at the explanation. I'm getting half of them right just using common sense, and learning so much along the way. It's awesome! A great head start in my opinion. I also went to my library and got all the nursing and anatomy books I could find to read.

Oh and hospitals pretty much across the board require one year of experience before they will even consider you. Some people will work in a LTC facility to get the experience and volunteer at the hospital so they can be on the "inside" track when a position opens up.