i_love_patient_care

I'm not a psych tech/assistant, but have served as one through a registry. In the facility I worked at the most, we had to do quarterly checks on the patients. Basically, we had to check on each one and see if they were asleep or not (this was at ...

I've posted here before, and it's been a while. I worked in facilities, both hospital and SNF for at least 3 1/2 years. Several months ago I began working for an elderly man in his home. It started out very good. He is a lovely man, and I would en...

Hi, I have a similarly sized ring, and would not personally wear it at a facility. It could get caught on a patient's skin, harbor bacteria, among other things. It could also be damaged if you are busy and bang it against something. Right now I work...

I agree with paws. I've done all of them. Personally, I like home health the best because I only have to worry about one person and it's easier on my body.

It depends on how busy you are, whether you should be charting as you go or charting at the end of the shift. I find it's better to keep a piece of paper with me to jot notes down if I don't have time to chart. Typically what I do is put all the roo...

Even if you had finished your cert recently, it would still be overwhelming. Just do the best you can, and find buddies on every shift to help each other out. I wish I could say there was a simple solution. ((hugs))

I've done both. I actually stumbled upon being a sitter. I did about 1 year of work (CNA) in skilled nursing/long term care, and then got hired to an agency that staffs hospitals and nursing homes. The agency paid about the same as I was making in...

I had a really awesome RN who ran the school I went to. She was very experienced (I think over 25 years of nursing experience), and taught us how to be well-informed, helpful CNAs. We not only learned what we needed to know to pass the exam/practic...

I've been in work environments where people are of the "every man/woman for themself" mentality. I agree with a PP's point of view that we do need to split up when working with 1person assists. However, I've been in facilities (LTC/SNF) where the C...

I'm not sure about NY, but for me in CA we don't throw the toothbrush away. It gets rinsed off and dried. Emesis bin, toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash are stored in a plastic bag labeled with their name in the top drawer of the nightstand. If...

When I make rounds, I check every room to make sure they are clutter free (trashes also not overflowing) and the Resident/Patient is safe. If they need to be turned, they get turned, and briefs checked if in use. Make sure everything is in reach (c...

For residents with contracted hands, we were trained to fold a washcloth or stack of dry wipes in half, roll it up and tape it, then put it in their hand to grab on to. It keeps the contracting from getting worse and also smells from developing. Ch...

It could be a number of things. The grandson could be stealing, and trying to put the focus on you guys instead. She could be losing her memory and blaming it on you. My own Grandma did that when her dementia got worse. We had to get a safe and g...

That is tough. She doesn't have a nurse or aide who know her well enough to tell you what works with her? Some people who have dementia have a better time of day that they are cooperative. Maybe try talking in a softer voice. Flat out saying refu...

An Old Lady's Poem, Anonymous This is the one that makes me cry every time. I think of it a lot while at work.

My boss just let me know that my rate of pay is going down a couple of dollars an hour because of obamacare and a new law from Jerry Brown. (I'm in CA) Has anyone else heard or going to be affected by this? I pretty much told her if that's the cas...

I'm sorry to hear that

I was about to ask her what specific law, but stopped myself. I have an offer for private duty without an agency, and I'm taking it. I was going to be loyal to my agency, but obviously they care about the almighty dollar. I'm in home health, and t...

I had one dementia patient who would not let me take her to her room unless I told her we had a room reservation in her name for the night. She couldn't recognize her room, it was the only way. We would spend time reorienting her on our shift if ti...

I used to hate that too, getting pulled to different floors. When I worked in facilities, though, it did help because I was able to work in the registry without breaking too much of a sweat. They send you to a different facility sometimes every ni...

I hate to say it, but there was one Resident in a facility I worked at who had not showered in a year. I wish I were kidding. The Director of Nursing knew about it and every nurse on that side of the facility. If they refuse, they refuse.

gochicagobears pretty much nailed it. I've done all three. Hospital for me paid a lot more, but it can be just as hard as LTC, if not more. Right now, I'm working home health, and making about what I made at LTC and am only taking care of one pers...

I'm not sure about other areas, but in mine the nursing students I know complain about waiting lists to get volunteering experience at local hospitals.

I'm not sure how it works in your state, but in my state I checked the Department of Public Health to see which school to go to. There are requirements for hours both in class and for clinicals, and as far as I know that varies from state to state.

I worked as a CNA in several hospitals where the sitter is responsible for all ADLs and charting them. We could also get pulled to the floor to take vitals if needed. It may be different elsewhere.