SophieMae

:chuckle :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle .......Now...that is funny!!!!

Photos on the license, a great idea. If not the next best thing is the "chip".....no thanks, I dont want to be scanned like a can of peas!!!!!

I have had scoliosis for over 40 years........I became a CNA but could not raise my two children on those wages so I went into construction. I have three curves......I was a paver, mason tender, dug ditches, etc. Sometimes I overdue and cant stand up right for days, sometimes I have been bedridden for weeks. But I will not stop, nor should you. You dont need surgery to be limited, I dont understand that statement made here but you are limited. But, make your own limits, dont let anyone tell you what you can or can not do. And if you need to lift 25# to get into nursing school.......practice. Start with a milk jug filled with water. Put it on the floor and raise it to table height and increase as time goes on. But remember, especially those of us with this horrible painful interruption, lift with your legs. If you lift the milk jug and you dont feel it in your thighs........you are not lifting correctly. FYI: There is a technique when doing heavy lifting that really really works.....you and co-workers can help each other with this one. It really saves the back. When you are lifting a pt., get someone to double up their fist and press in the small of your back. This sounds so simple but it works.....dont let this keep you from being a nurse. Remember.......practice and use those thighs.

Sorry Jim but I think you mis-understand......the question was from the stand point of "CNA basic nursing"..........if this is the low man on the totem pole, then this is the basic patient care, is it not. And Jim I am sure you are a professional that does not mind getting "your hands dirty" but to be honest we all know at least one RN, most likely in our work place and no doubt on our shift that either wont or does not know the first thing about this basic nursing.

Well, I didnt think of it like that but it's not enough to turn me from the idea. I too, will have to do it this way but because I want to. I want to have as much knowledge as possible before I take care of anyone's loved one.

Okay, please dont take my head off......but I hear/see so many students/new nurses regret the career path for whatever the reason maybe. My question is......Should all future nurses be required by law to have at least one year as a CNA before being accepted into nursing school? I ask this b/c new nurses are taught, it seems, so little about that level of nursing. A CNA being the most basic of the nursing staff, just does not seem correct if those who will rule over them does not have it. As well as, the career path can be examined more closely by rolling up the sleeves and jumping in with body, mind and soul. Finding out if this is the place for you before you spend $$$$, time and even taking the seat in nursing school from someone who really knows this is for them. Thank you for reading this and for your gentle response's. :)

I personally would leave that job in a heartbeat. If you have an administrator bringing in wine for a staff that is legally/solely responsible for the well-being of people's lives it sounds like trouble to me. And I might add if you have CNA's that are not doing their jobs........the reflection will be, you are not doing yours. Take you gifts, talents, and abilities somewhere else, you deserve better than work in an un-caring and most likely un-safe environment.

I can't tell you where you will find your part of the earth for a decent price but you wont find it here in Maine. The best advice I can give you is to look for foreclosures. It is sad to benefit from others pain but if the opportunity is there....someone will take it, it might as well be you.

Your strengths could be her insecurities.

No Fiona59, I was not referring to you.

Make an appointment to see Humans Resources........ask them point blank......am I a potential hire and if not why?

I am not even in school yet but this site is in my fav's already. I too, thank you Nurse Ratched.

Sometimes.........the roughest starts, give the smoothest ride!

I have been a pt many times, the last time was horrible but I was good, except it was difficult to tell the nurses that I did not want to walk up and down the hall feeling half naked. When I took my first walk after surgery it seemed every man in town was in the halls! Hospitals really need to make an area for pts to walk.....this way we are all dressed or undressed the same way. Even though I was good, except under the influence of morphine, cant really remember too much of that part, I was however a thorn in one RN's bonnet because she did not follow doctors orders. I was in for a bowel obstruction that I had let persist untreated for 7 days. I dont know how I lived but anyway the NG tube of course was shut off to give me meds but was never turned back on for at least 12 hours. In the middle of the night I got up to get sick, I made it to the bathroom but I let loose all over the floor. The next day the nurses told me that in the combined medical careers of over 40 years they had never seen so much come out of one person. Anyway, when it came time for the NG tube and foley to come out, she didnt do it. The doctor was furious (I felt bad for her, even though I suffered because of her) he left the room and immediately the over head sounded and she was called to the station by the doctor. I never saw her again. I threw up at 1 am, my bathroom floor was not cleaned until after 5 the next day. So even though I was good, I still caused grief for someone. A couple of things I do remember, while under the influence of morphine(what a drug, never want that again) when the phone rang, I found myself saying....hello,hello.....to the tv remote control! And there was this little man that kept opening the door to my room and saying......"I just wanted to check the oxygen in the room." Well, it took me three days to realize this man was not insane........but that he meant......the oxygen I was on, it took me that long to notice.

Thank you. To be honest, I am not sure I knew I could go over his head, for another, I really needed/wanted this job. I am sure I would have been the first out the door, deemed a trouble maker, hard to get along with, etc. Working in an all female or 98% female enviroment is brutal!!!!!!!! I am however shocked by the RN.....shame on him!

Thank you.

While working as a CNA at a new job I experienced something I will never forget. I had a pt. with a halo, only a couple hours old. (halo, not pt) I was told he needed to get up, I was afraid to move him by myself so asking an other aid for assistance. Please note that this aide took one look at me when I came on the floor, and hated me instantly. When we entered the room she asked if I wanted top or bottom to move this pt. I said I did not feel confident taking the top so would take the legs. She was so angry that I had asked her to assist me she reached right down, grabbing the newly inserted halo and lifted that man!!!!!! I almost fainted right then and there! I reported her to an RN but he said, "She has worked here for years, I think you are mistaken." Later, the pt spoke to me crying, saying he just wanted to die and refused rehab. I was determined to see this through, I spent every spare moment in that man's room. I finally talked him into going to rehab. The day he was released from rehab, he made a point of coming down to see me, hug me and with tears tell me if it were not for me, he would not have gone to rehad at all. All this I might add was done at the nurses station with everyone there......including super CNA. I was pleased with the results of course but it was how the results came to be.........spending time, talking, and what he especially liked, was his "get well cards" were placed on his table. He could not turn his head to see them to remember he was missed and loved..........so I taped them all to the ceiling over his bed.

What a hoot!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can understand your fear, I have it and havent even taken a class yet.....why? Because I know from first hand experience that RN's have no idea what it is like until........they come home dog tired, can't sleep because that one pt sticks in your head/heart, and havent had time to p all day. As a CNA I helped many RN's adjust to the floor, some try to hide the inexperience and the just dont know situations. But trust me, some will not help you (RN's), some of the CNA's will be mad at you b/c you just dont know. They will think you are trying to get out of work. I worked in a hospital as a CNA (oncology) many new nurses were far better off to be-friend at least one RN and at least one CNA. We have even offered our arms for IV's (no searching allowed of course). Everyone knows that your training, is not training but an education. Your training begins the minute you step on that floor and you pick up the responsibility of a life. Holding on to pride/arrogance never worked for the new RN's and I dont suppose ever will. Under no circumstances ever be to proud to say........I just dont know, being honest could save a life and you from a lawsuit. God's speed in your career..........I just hope I remember this advice when it is my turn.........lol One more thing.........never let the pt know it is your first time, you maybe in a foot race.......lol

I too, am looking at the LPN program but for different reasons. I just told the hubby yesterday that I was going back to school. He is not impressed. So to keep peace around here I will begin at this level. But our program is an RN setup, but you may choose to drop at the end of the first year.....thus be an LPN. I dont want as many sleepless nights as it takes for the RN program especially right now, but things could change. The drawback is, LPN's are only allowed nursing home jobs or home care. Hospitals in this area do not use them and have even grouped them with CNA's as far as duties/pay scale, which I think unfair. So check out your area, you may find yourself unemployed even in this field or your time and effort into your LPN could get you titled as a glorified CNA. I do know that Texas and California cant get enough LPN's. Hope your future is brighter.

i worked in a hospital that did not/does not allow anyone to miss b/c of storms. we had a devastating ice storm in the ne, hubby's chain saw'd their wives to work. if you can not make it to work, they will send security for you, if security can not make it to your house you are excused from work. during this ice storm, we lived without electric for days, some for weeks, but only one was unable to make it to work. the hospital did provide scrubs and a place to stay but since i only lived 35 steps from the hospital door, i did not need the assistance. i think your friend is thinking this is like school.........whoopee, a snow day! some one should share the fact, this is real life, co-workers are ready to be relieved and the ill, injured and dying are waiting. just how dedicated is this person?

I can't imagine how scared you must be right now........but hopefully others that do drink and drive will learn from your very costly lesson. I hope things turn out the way you would like.