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The one year commitment is an "insurance" on their investment. They give you FREE training, in fact they pay you!! Why shouldn't you give them a year. That is just my take on it. Anyway, I did just that. I gave them a year of service and then went to the hospital and nursing school. I will always remember my time in long term care. It was hard. I meant to say that it was HARD!! However, I enjoyed the residents so much. They are truly like living history books. It is amazing the lives you will come across. You will find people that once were "powerful" and in-charge that are now bewildered and dependent on others. You will find people that have lived lives and have experienced stuff that we will only read about. Geriatrics are a huge population in the health care system. It would serve you well in your medical career to have worked with them in LTC. (IMHO)

First, welcome to allnurses. Yes, you are in the right forum for your question. I'm not sure how much Charleston area pays a CNA, but consider this. A "decent living" is an opinion. Only you can say what is a "decent living" for yourself. The more "stuff" you want...the more money you have to make!! Also, keep in mind that although the minimum requirements to get certified may not require a diploma/ged, employers may require it!! It is a personal choice, but I'd encourage you to get your GED. All that being said, there are plenty of people out there working as CNAs and supporting themselves on that income. You can too!!! Just be responsible with the money that you bring in and what goes out. One of the best books that I have ever read was "The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey. I recommend everyone to read this book. I wish you all the best and good luck!!

Does your facility have transfer devices such as the Sara lift? Otherwise, if you feel it is unsafe, I'd get a second person to assist me. Team work is an awesome thing!!

I'd say you at least need an orientation to the facility. How else are you suppose to learn the individual policies and procedures? It is really your call. The most important thing is this....know your limitations. If you are unsure about how to do something, then just do not do it!! Go find someone that knows how. Explain to them that you have never done this before because the opportunity never presented itself, but you are eager to learn how to do it!!! They should appreciate the fact that you actually want to learn the task. That being said, make sure you pay attention so that you are not repeatedly asking for help on the same task over and over.

We can not give legal advice on this website. So please keep that in mind. It is never appropriate to turn a blind eye to abuse, including verbal abuse. If it were me, I'd start with reporting it to my instructor. The next person would be the DON for this facility. It's funny you mention about the guy "always being on the call light." When I worked in a nursing home, we had this guy that all the other CNAs complained that he was "always on the call light first thing in the morning." Well, whenever he was assigned to me, after report I'd go straight to his room, make his bed, and fill up his water pitcher. And guess what, he wasn't on his call light and thought I was the greatest thing since sliced bread!! Congratulations on the job offer. It sounds like those residents in that facility would be lucky to have you there. Good luck in nursing and med school.

Thank you nguyency77. I forgot about medication aides!!! I wasn't even thinking about that.

I worked as a CNA as I went to nursing school. Most places do have a tuition reimbursement program. The catch is you need to work for them a certain amount of time after graduation. I'd say as soon as you get your CNA, start going to school to become an LPN or RN. If it is possible for you, go straight for your RN. It will be worth it, believe me!! As far as family goes, I looked at school as something that took all of my time for a short period so that I would have more time for my family later. It is only a few years. I did not want my kids to grow up in a house full of financial difficulties like I did. I am now a happy father that can provide for my kids without the financial stresses of life. Yea,.... I'm glad I "gave up" those 3 1/2 years!!

They are different. Although, I went to medical assisting school, got certified, and worked as a cna. The difference really is in what they are there for. CNAs learn how to assist the nurse with nursing care. CMAs learn to assist the doctor with medical care. Some tasks are the same, such as vital signs, drawing blood, doing EKGs. Some are different CMAs give shots while CNAs don't. I didn't learn to give baths, but in CNA training I did. CNAs are more likely to work in nursing homes and hospitals. CMAs are more likely to work in the doctor's office. The programs to become a CMA are longer, and some are associate degree programs. You can find some nursing homes that will train you to become a CNA for free. I was paid the same when I worked as a CMA and as a CNA. One office did pay me more as a CMA, but it is still comparable. I am sure some of our wonderful CNAs here on allnurses will come along and better answer this question for you.

The Fresenius rep told us that this came about due to the old machines and dialyzers. The techs from Fresenius were getting calls constantly due to pressure problems. They found that by setting the min. UF to 300, they did not have the problems and the calls decreased. She stated that it was never about backflow. She said backflow was just the reason given as to why it was done. Now, with the high flux the pressure problems have went away, but the myth of the backflow continues. According to the Fresenius rep, there is no chance of backflow across the membrane even at zero UF. However, the manufacture's recommendation still states 300 as the minimum. Fresenius is not willing to change that. Go figure?

It could be a good sign. Of course, I've had job interviews that I just "knew" I had, only to never hear from them again. The receptionist sometimes does make a difference. I worked for a place where the receptionist would write comments on the top of the application, such as "dressed professionally."

My best advice to you is this.... Don't get caught up in the whole day shift vs. night shift thing. Day shift is hard. Night shift is hard. Some tasks are different and some are the same. Do your best to not leave anything for the day shift. When it can't be helped, say I'm sorry but "such and such" still needs to be done. I had a hard night and was unable to get to it. That being said, whenever day shift doesn't get something done, just say..."that's ok. I know how those shifts go. That's why we have two shifts; so one can take over where the other leaves off and we can both get everything done!" The rest is just doing your job. Being there for the patients and your co-workers. It is a team effort. I wish you all the best!!

Well, to the first question... I would help the patient to the bathroom (he may decide to go himself and fall or go on himself and that is not an appropriate thing to make a patient do just because "you don't have time"), Next, I would get the v/s. I assume this is not an admission, as the nurse should be getting the admission v/s. Also, if the patient has meds due, let's say blood pressure meds, then the nurse really should take the bp before giving it anyway. I know many don't. They rely on whatever the cna says it is, but for my license, I would check the bp myself. The last patient I would do is the walk. It is VERY important, but only after a patient has been toileted and v/s have been checked. Besides, taking v/s really doesn't take long at all; whereas, you may be awhile walking that patient. As for the second question, it depends on the situation. If the patient is already in the bathroom, I'd let them know to stay there and hit their call light when they are finished and that I will be back as soon as I check on this other patient. If I am in the middle of walking this patient to the restroom, I would not leave them until they were in the bathroom. You have to worry about the safety of the current patient. Don't forget you are not alone. Can you put on a call light and let the clerk know that you heard someone yell out but you can not leave your patient at this time? Immediate safety issues need to be addressed first!! Good luck on your interview. I hope it all works out.

I do not think males get in easier. I know when I got into nursing school a woman that did not get in made that comment to me. I was offended because a) my GPA was higher than hers and b) I worked my butt off to get into nursing school. Plus, as I looked around the class, I only saw a handful of guys. I know more than that applied. So, I guess it didn't help them, or maybe I am just more manly :)

New grads are having trouble right now due to the fact that the Augusta area has a lot of nursing schools. That being said, it doesn't appear to me that it is a problem with experienced nurses. MCG has some great ICUs Doctors has a great burn ICU University has a med/surg and neuro ICU, a NICU, and the cardiac towers. In that part of the hospital, the rooms are designed so that when a patient becomes critical or no longer is critical, they stay in the same room. So the nurses work as either a telemetry nurse or a cardiac ICU nurse. Trinity has one small ICU. It's kind of a catch all. If patients are too critical they will transfer out to other hospitals. I know nothing about the VA Hospital other than there are two...an "updown" and the "downtown" VA. We also have Select Specialty Hospital. I wouldn't want to work there, but some do. In addition to an ICU, they also have vented patients on the regular floor. Most people are there for the pay. I hear they are the highest paying in the area. Wish I could help more. Good luck to you both!!

Fav: ortho and lacs (splints and sutures!!!) I'll pass on: psych and OB/GYN (can't relate to either)