miabia

Don't be offended by my question but as far as I know the CNA in my state cannot touch the oxygen unless its adjusting the cannula. A CNA in Nebraska would surely be investigated for adjusting the Liter Output for gross negligence. Just be careful. I'm glad the patient was ok.

I work full time, goto school full time, am a full time mother and wife and I take care of a fulling functioning farm with livestock. I miss, more than anything, being able to sit at the dinner table to eat supper with my husband and children without having books surrounding myself. And I really miss not having labs until 930 at night MWF. Edited to add...I also really miss feeling like I'm my own age. At 23 years old I feel like I'm 35.

First - I mean't this to be for general healthcare. Sorry for the confusion but the general audience that has voted/replied seems to be what I was looking for. Second - I am facinated (In the best possible way) by everyones responses. Thank you for your honesty.

I just finished at the Financial Aide and ALL they gave me was FASFA (which I applied for just now and am waiting on that to finish). I meet with my student advisor Wednesday ad we'll see where she can direct me.

I actually made the poll by the two ends of the spectrum I was only interested in. We, of course, can make a new on reflecting all ends where you can add your own reason why you're going into nursing

I'm going Monday but I was hoping I could find out some information before hand to start researching it and so forth. :)

Im not judging but I've always been incredibly curious what the ratio of "I want to be a nurse because it's my life dream" vs "I want to be a nurse because I need the money" is. So my question to you is (Honestly) Are you in nursing for the money or because you want to be. Edit: Im curious on all ranges, non-professional and professional. I just lump everyone together so I'm sorry if there is any confusion.

I need money. Like every other nursing student what are some great scholarships/grants I can look into? Im in Nebraska too if anyone knows of any scholarships or awards given to nursing students in this state. Thank you for your time!

congrats! to answer your question, " what is restorative care? " it is to maximize a person's level of function and minimize decline. todo this you're going to want your patient to try and assist themselves as much as possible. examples would be have them try and brush their own teeth, brush their own hair, bathe as much of themselves as possible. things like that.

I make $13 and some change With shift differential during night shift. I also get ETO, paid Sick leave, bereavement, 401K, Comp time, Paid holidays/overtime, health/dental/eye insurance and I earned a nursing scholarship. I've been a CNA/MA for 5 years this September.

I'm an MA and I'm not even allowed to insert Caths or handle IV's! I can't even fathom why a CNA would be allowed near such a machine.

We had this CNA that was going to school for his EMT. Not only was he on his 4th attempt of passing the EMT test but one day I came in to check his vitals and he had a patient at 209/130. I burst out laughing and asked if the patient was stroking out and he said, "no he's just watching TV". I went back in and did a manual and his B/P was 109/76. I couldn't believe it. I went back and checked all the vitals he had done for his shift and everyone he had vitals on should have been dead or stroking out. I asked him to let me know when he passes his EMT where he'll be working so I know to NEVER need his assistance.

I've never had any issues getting any job that I've applied for . I would only list 3 of your most recent jobs not 5 also

I love crock pots! But rarely is there a lot of take home homework (but then again I went through my certification 5 years ago) just a lot of memorizing

It really depends on your time management and memory. I studied extensively for my CNA/MA because of all of the things we were required to memorize. Hint - Use flash cards for your acronyms

I have never heard of that because most states have guidelines that are different than others in CNA training plus you have to do clinicals. I would say no and just go to your local redcross or community college and see what you can arrange instead of wasting money on something that may not be legit.

When I started caring for my grandmother at 4 years old I did the exact cares I'm doing in LTC minus the the peri cares that I'm doing now. I'd lay out her clothes for the next day, arrange her medications, set up her DuoNeb, clip her nails and such forth. The chores were light when I was young but progressed as I aged up until the day of her death. As I've stated in previous articles I was able to play nurse as a child just as other little girls were able to play house. I don't even like calling what I did/do chores because I have always enjoyed doing what I do. Tonight my husband and I were chatting and he asked me how I establish good relationships with everyone of my patients and how I seperate being able to bond with someone and give them professional cares. So I've decided to do another list of tips and tricks that I've always used. I do want to remind people to check with their facilities policy's to make sure they're following set guidelines. (1) The first thing I always do is look at the care chart. Its normally a sheet of paper that gives you some information such as Continent/Incontinent and if they walk. Most times they give a brief history of the patient all within our "need to know basis" (Especially if you're working with patients that have a history of behaviors and what redirections work/don't work). I think it's extremely important to have a knowledge of the patients you are directly caring for and it can help you understand how to act around them. (2) I always address the patient as Mr./Ms. "Insert last name" when I first meet them. You never know how they like to be addressed and Mr/Ms is the most platonic unoffensive term you can possibly use. Most times the patient will correct you and say, "Oh no please call me Bob/Betty". (3) I have worked all three shifts in 5 years. I have worked 8 hour shifts, 12 hour shifts and 16 hour shifts. In each of my positions I've found that time management is key. It's important to not only get your work done but if you get it done in a quick, efficent, timely manner you will have time to go in to your patients rooms and chat for a few minutes. During NOCs I've had patients that can't sleep and since my chores were all done I would go into their room with my co worker and we'd watch TV together. The patients loved it and I wont lie some of those old AMC movies are pretty funny. (4) When family visits I always go out of my way to introduce them to my self or say hello the moment they walk on to the unit. I make sure they don't need extra chairs and I always make sure the patient is in the mood for visitors first. The families of your patients will be your greatest ally. They will talk to you about things their family members enjoyed doing before they came to the facility and supply you with the tools you will need to be a successful caregiver and build a relationship with the patient. When the family sees that the patient is happy, everyone is happy. (It looks especially good when the family calls the facility to praise you by name instead of complaining about this or that). (5) When a patient seems "out of it" or almost "comatose" watch what you say just as you would if they were completely alert! Hearing is the LAST thing to go on anyone right before death and they can hear everything you say. Can you imagine the horror you'd feel if you found out the last conversation your family member heard before (s)he died was about Lisa belittling her tool of a boyfriend who was caught talking to Brittany? We as caregivers are here to ease the process along not make them beg for it. (6) Keep your cell phones in your car. Dont even put them in your purse or locker they're too much of a temptation. I have been guilty of carrying it (hypocrite alert) but one day my DON told me to leave it in my purse for a week and I'd be surprised how less stressed out I was. I did as I was instructed and the stress of hiding my phone or looking for the next text message has been gone for 4 years. Not only that but if you have a patient fall and your phone is on you, guess who's liable and can face serious trouble. If you are a phone carrier you're looking in the mirror. Remember protect the patient first but also remember to protect your self first. (7) I can't stress this point enough through all of the posts I've written. Do not under any circumstance call your patient/resident any nick name like "Sweetie, honey, grandma, grandpa etc etc" I dont know how many of you have been hospitalized where someone had to do your personal cares but I can completely understand the degrading feeling of having a person do Peri-Cares on me and call me "Sweetheart" the entire time. It, by law, is considered abusive and degrading and dare I say slightly mortifying. (8) When I first started CNA work doing cares on deceased patients that I grew to care about devestated me. I remember doing the final wash down crying because I was remembering what I was losing. One day I had a Charge nurse helping me and she pulled me to the side before we went in and told me the one sentance that would change my life on caring for the deceased. She said, "Don't focus on the fact that you've lost them, focus on the fact that you are giving them the dignified care they deserve one last time, be honored that it's you that has this responsibility." From that day I volunteered for any PM care I could to help me learn the best way to do cares and to give them the dignified care they deserved. (9) Every weekend most of our male residents are up by 6 am. Because of this I go and straight shave them every saturday and sunday from 0600 until 0630. They are normally shaven with an electric shaver so it's not as close as it can be. I don't do it because I feel better when they thank me extensively for it (maybe a little but I'm human) but I mostly do it because it's the little things that matter to your residents/patients. When someone you care for sees that you're taking the time out of your schedule to do something a little extra for them they really appreciate it. (10) Your "Difficult" or "Cranky" patients are probably the best patients you will ever have. Take the time to find out why they're "cranky" or "ticked off". I've found that most of the patients I run into that have problems adjusting to LTSK (Long Term Skilled Care) are the patients that are transitioning from Independance to a declining position. You also have to realize the Brain injuries such as Strokes, seizures and other traumatic injuries will greatly affect your patients personality. Mother Teresa herself would probably tell you to P*** off and to go F yourself if she had a traumatic brain injury. Does that mean they're terrible patients? Absolutely not. Thats why it is incredibly important to learn about the people YOU care for and how to care for them. If you're unsure, your co workers are you greatest allies when dealing with a "difficult" patient. Patience is a virtue in the case of behaviors.

Just a friendly reminder that as a mandatory reporter you are required by law to report any unusual occurances to your supervisor. If you cannot get anywhere with the supervisor you follow the chain of command up to the administration. If they do nothing then you can call your ombudsman or the Department of Health and Human services.

People can be so cross when talking to others about their career choices. I've experienced it a lot as a CNA/MA. I always respond when someone says I wont like it, "Well now you're just making me want to do it and make it work". Good luck on your career and always be proud of the things you've done!

The worst thing I have ever had to deal with was not in my job but I came upon a very nasty accident and this man had his arm nearly completely removed from his body. The fact that the blood was just pouring out of his arm like a faucet made me very light headed. He survived but my gosh that was a gut wretching feeling to have to deal with

Actually at the state level I stared in horror that a dietary aide made 3 cents less than a CNA. I kid you not.

I know you're scared now but if you've studied it will come naturally. Just remember with the cares use a different side of the wipe each time you clean and go from front to back every time. I'm so excited for you! And yes your skills will all be tested on a doll not a person. Let us know how you do!

my gosh I didn't realize they charged so much difference to take the full time class! Mine was 250 four and a half years ago regardless if you went part time or full time. I guess times do change! I feel old now

I agree with you but I also think...scratch that know that some get just a little bit of a bigger ego because of the change of condition reports.

(Apologies in advance for spelling and grammar I'm on my laptop nursing my child) Depending on the person I'm speaking to about my line of work, when I tell someone, "I'm a CNA/MA" the range of responses varies. I usually get a disappointed, "oh" or an enthustiatic "OH!". I often hear how some one respects me because they, "just couldnt 'wipe butt'" or have issues dealing with vomit. I've decided to tell you some misconceptions I have to deal with on a daily basis. We'll start out with the most evident. The peri-cares. Or the "down and dirties". For me peri-cares are probably the most personal aspect of my job. Not only am I expected to do it properly but I am expected to maintain a persons dignity. I treat all of my patients with the same tender care that I would give to my own family regardless of who they are. In fact, I had an elderly patient that was thankful because many just assumed that because she was a play boy bunny in the 1960's in a Chicago playboy club that she cared less about dignity than a "nun" to use her words specifically. For me dealing with human waste whether it be urine or feces is what it is. Do some of them make me crinkle my nose? Absolutely, but in all honesty that is only a very small portion of what I do. I can not handle vomit. Just the sound of gagging alone makes me feel like my stomach is clawing up my throat to escape. The fact is when a person is vomiting all feelings of illness subside and you immediately think, "Get them on their side make sure their air way stays clear and get someones attention to help you!". Never once have I thrown up because of someone elses vomit at work. Now, I just wish the same would happen when my other son's friends ate a heavy meal during 105 degree tempature and then decided jumping on the tramploine was a fantastic idea. Yes I cared about the poor child but my own body had to deal with ...you get the idea. I work full time night shift. Ah yes the "They don't do anything" crew. I'm actually so annoyed with that statement let me tell you my night for some validation. At 10pm I walk in clock in and get rounds. We immediately start stocking rooms and changing 30 people while the med nurse counts meds and the professional starts assessments. By 11pm we start wheelchair cleaning (with toothbrushes!) doing laundry, answering call lights, (one night one man had over 80 calls alone), folding laundry, turning, changing, Breaks, Behaviors, behavior charting, ADL charting, Hospice care (Skilled LTC), Vital Signs, Trash, Vacuuming, Mopping, and in the morning out of 30 patients we have 19 up, 6 of the 11 left are independent and day shift has 4 aides 2 professional and 1 med nurse to get 5 people up (only 1 hoyer) in an hour and a half. I am not complaining, I am proud of the things we accomplish every single night when we do this. Plus I've lost 30 lbs due to the activity so I'm definitely no complaining there. I think one of the most common misconceptions that I get about being a great CNA/MA is that I'm a nurse. I am not. (Yes I read an article by another aide and I agree). I have worked with what I would presume is some of the best nurses in the industry. I have also worked with the one that I believed was the spawn of satan himself but that's a different topic. (Note I said ONE out of how many nurses?) Anywho where was I? Oh yes, Being a great CNA/MA is something I take immense pride in. I walk away from any job I do and I'm satisfied that I've done my best to accomplish the goal. But the fact is, I am still a CNA/MA. I don't hold the responsibilies that the Charge nurses or professional's have to uphold. I watched tearfully as my Charge nurse had to call a family member of a patient to tell her he had died unexpectedly at 50 years old. I have seen the professional be berated by family members and doctors because of ...well no real reason at all other than to have someone to blame. Because the professionals are just that, professionals, they are the scape goats that shield us from unending blame. A med aide may make a mistake on a pill but its the professional that will be blamed for it because (s)he was in charge of the floor and should have double checked the MA. That is just a few misconceptions of being a CNA/MA that I can think of. What comes to mind when you (professional or certified) think of CNA/MA's? And CNA/MA's...do me a favor. Do not refer to yourself as "JUST a CNA/MA". Be proud of what you are but do not be confused about what you are either.