chas89

At my school, we wear all white for labs & clinicals. Our top has the school logo patch sew in on front & we have to wear white leather shoes. We can wear anything we want for lecture.

Hi Dmed76, Out of all the places I worked, orientation is usually held in the mornings & you have to deal with all your paperwork (going over employee handbooks, benefits, schedule, etc). Then after orientation, is when you do your training. You most likely will be shadowing someone & they will have train you and should you around. As for tips on staying awake, I highly suggest that you sleep before you come in for your shift. Get as much sleep as you need to feel refresh to start your shift. I'm going to tell you now, it's really hard to stay awake between 1am & 3-4am, because your body is telling you that you need to sleep. During those hours, you need to find things that help keep you awake. Some people need to always keep moving & stay busy during the night, others read & some people need a caffeine fix. It's all up to you. Good luck with the job!

I also bring a copy of my certification and my BLS (CPR) card. & if you apply to home health places, they want a copy of your drivers license & insurance info. if your going to going to different clients homes.

@ hudabelle, I would definitely mention to future employers that you are in nursing school. School is my number one priority compare to any job, so make sure that any job you get is flexible and accommodating with your school schedule.

Thank you so much!

I know there are a lot of discussions on All Nurses about CNAs not finding any jobs or getting calls about interviews. I just wanted to say if your in this predicament, DO NOT GIVE UP! Keep filling out job applications, both online & in person. Have a RESUME & when going in person to fill out applications or going in for that interview, please people, dress professionally. I went to almost every nursing home, assisted living, and home health facility in my area @ filled out apps. This was during June & July. Most places weren't hiring, just taking apps, but I still applied anyway. Fast forward to the end of August, I get a call to come in for an interview @ an assisted living place. Remember, I applied @ this place back in June. Went in for the interview, was late because I had class that morning (just started the nursing program this semester) they knew & was ok with it. Came in & it was a group interview (about 12 people were there). There were 2 supervisors there & they asked questions & we had to talk about our experience & why we want to work there. After that, we were done and if they wanted us they would give us a call. Well, before I left, one of the managers stopped me & said that they really wanted me. Since they know that I'm in nursing school, they offered me the position of Med Tech, part-time, I got to choose the shift. I picked nights 11pm-7am & I'm only working 2-3 days a week, & work every other weekend. I went through a week long process (BG check, PPD, physical) & officially got the job. Thank God! Already had orientation & my 1st night on the job is tonight. I'm nervous & excited at the same time! I just wanted to share my story and to tell others not to give and be patient, your time is coming! :)

Hi! I'm in South Carolina & @ my first CNA job I was paid $9.50/hr worked nights in Assisted living facility. My 2nd job was in LTC working 3-11pm. I was supposed to be getting $9/hr + $2 shift differentials ($1 weekends & $1 evenings)= $11/hr but only got $10.75/hr on my stub. I only stayed there for 2 weeks, hated that job. Now I'm at a different Assisted living facility, working nights getting $11/hr & loving every minute of it! :)

My CNA class wasn't that bad at all. It was 6 weeks long. 4 weeks was class and skills lab at school and the other 2 weeks were clinicals at the nursing home. We had a book and my instructor went thru the chapters with PowerPoint slides. You may be nervous your 1st day but as days & weeks go by, that will fade away. By the end of your CNA class & clinicals, you and the other students will be closer than you could ever be. That's how it was for me.

Like others have said, LTC, assisted living, home healthcare & agencies are always hiring CNAs. I know in my state you're only require to work 8 hours out of 2 yrs. to renew and keep your certification active. You can easily get your 8 hrs. even if you do PRN work.

@Nurse2BeInGA, I'll definitely look into Armstrong Atlantic State Univ. @ProfRN4, if the LPN-BSN route doesn't work, I'll go for traditional BSN programs. I decided that I'm going to go for a BSN & bypass the ADN. I'm already going to start LPN school in August & by the time I finish, I'll know I'll be able to support myself better and go for a BSN.

Hey! @ MommaTy, my school definitely has a LPN-ADN program & I could easily do that program. It's just me deciding if I'm getting an ADN or BSN & after that I'm done with school.

Hey guys, thanks for your advice. @ Don 1984, I would have love to go for a ABSN, but my GPA isn't going to make the cut. @ The Commuter, it would be cheaper & shorter to do the LPN-ADN route but after getting a ADN, the thing that worries me is actually getting a job & having to go back to get a BSN. I would like to get my BSN through an LPN-BSN program but where I'm at (I'm in South Carolina) there are no LPN-BSN programs, only LPN-ADN. I've even looked at Indiana State Univ. online program, but SC doesn't approved their program. If I go for the BSN, I would have to attend an traditional BSN program in SC. I do have a question for anyone, if I attend an out of state LPN-BSN program, would it be easier to go to a compact state & get a BSN since SC is a compact license state. I've been looking at programs in NC. Anyone know of any LPN-BSN programs for any South Carolinian? Sorry for the long post. Any advice?

Hi! I'm new to all nurses, not sure if I'm posting this in the right area. I need some advice about what path to nursing school I should be taking. I am a 24, I have a non-nursing BA, I work part-time in retail and I'm a PRN CNA. I'm going to start LPN school in the fall & it's going to last 3.5 semesters (1 1/2 yrs). I know I'm definitely getting my LPN because I need to start working to pay off student loans. I guess my question is After I get my LPN, should I get a ADN or should I go for a BSN? Thanks for any advice :)