melijm

Yes..at first he tried to administer the med alone and she refused, that's when he came to get me. She took the original med he crushed from me and then he wanted to do a "test" to see if she would accept meds from him while I was present...and she did. I feel like I put a huge scar on my new career by doing that. I am non confrontational and didn't want to make anyone mad in the moment but after things settled and I thought about it, I was wrong as well and will not do it if requested in the future. I will help him but will not give it myself.

OK, great advice. Thank you. I don't want to mess this up as it's a great place with exc pay and benefits, incl 42 paid days off per year. Tonight I put my foot down and Sunday the "white" nurse is on. He's filling in apparently.

Hello. I started my first job as a CNA in NJ last night. We are not allowed to pass meds in this state. I need advice before my shift this evening. Last night I was working under an LPN that seemed very overwhelmed as he had to pass meds to about 50 pt's in the LTC facility. I was warned about nurses who try to delegate to CNA's things we are not allowed to do and found myself smack in the middle of a situation last night and not wanting to make waves, I followed his direction. Heres what happened...the LPN was a black man. He was trying to pass evening med to an elderly white woman. She was pretty adamant about not liking black people and not wanting to take meds from him. He expressed his frustration to the 2 other CNA's I was working with...both black, I'm white. He pulls me aside and says something like this, I need help, you are not allowed by law to do this and if anything happens I have your back...yada yada...(all while crushing a pill) and proceeds to say "she will have a heart attack if she doesn't take this med" A scare tactic as it was Ativan. LOL, Then he says see if she'll take this from you. I stand there, my heart pounding, my teachers voice in my head (I just completed the course) talking of nurses who break law, knowing I shouldn't be doing this...and I did I walk into the room, she's full of smiles and happily eats the med-pudding of a spoon. I go back to cart and hand him empty cup. He then says "Lets see something" He puts 2 green pills in a cup and says "come with me" I accompany him into her room and he says "I have meds for you" She looked bewildered and then put hand out to take pills. He takes them away and says "Ahhh...now I see" and walks out. I just looked at her at a loss for words and said "Thank you, good night" and walked out. Now...tonight I have to work in same situation. Tonight I will say "I am not allowed to do this by law" and not be intimidated. Any advice? What can I say that will hit home that he can't do this to me and not cause issues. I keep thinking...my first night as a CNA and I broke the law, I could have harmed a patient:no:. HELP! Thank you!

Hello. I personally like scrubs that stretch and are soft. I have several "UA Buttersoft" from Uniform Advantage. No drawstring, flat on waist elastic band bottoms. I love them and I got 4 pair for 100.00

OK...just reviewing all the info so it's correct. I got the job at a state run LTC facility. The pay is 13.88 and 14.88 weekends. Exc bene pkg with 17 paid holidays (!), double time for holidays and then a paid day off following, vacation days, sick time, personal days. Also 140.00 reimbursement for uniforms after 6 months. Its union and I am so excited to be at this facility!

OK..I did ask my instructor today, although going in front of the state its for certification only. I confused it with my other license (cosmetology) where I also had to go in from of the state to test. I completed my finals today and feel very accomplished and ready to start on this new career path at 43 yrs old...

I will definitely ask my instructor about the license issue. I have seen job postings for LNA and PCA as well as CNA here in NJ. I have an interview scheduled for the facility I was hoping for this coming week. Full time it would equate to 28,000-30,000 (with wkend diff) a year and I'm very happy with that. I am taking a drastic pay cut from my previous career because this is a job I WANT to do. I am so excited for another interview and hope I land the job, its a great facility and not privatized.

Hello. I have to respond here. After completing 40 hours of class and 50 hours of clinical, today I take my final exam. Next week I get my laminated certificate which allows me to work. On 12-5 I am scheduled to go in front of the state of NJ for an exam to become LICENSED. Just as in my previous career of over 20 years...cosmetology. After 1200 hours (compared to 90 for health care!) I had a "permit" similar to the cert which allowed me to work until I became licensed. I went on an interview and was told I have 120 days to become LICENSED or I step out of the position. You can work as a CNA in NJ unlicensed and uncertified, uncertified you can only "shadow". Unlicensed you can perform full duties. Also after I take the practical test for the state, I also have to go to a testing center and take a written as part of my license. Yes...ALOT of testing! Thank you!

"There is no such thing as a CNA license. Even after you take your certification, you're considered unlicensed personnel." In NJ we have to be licensed. I am scheduled for the state exam in 3 weeks. If we are certified (after course completion) and land a job we have 120 days to be licensed. Also I landed an interview at another facility. 13.50 an hour with 1.50 an hour differential for Sat-Sun, paid holidays, sick days, vacations AND...a uniform allowance. It's 10 minutes from my home and I hope to get that job.

Thanks for your replies. Just to elaborate this is the 3-11 shift and the reason why I feel this way is because for my area 13-14.00 an hour is the average starting wage. I had another similar post here and someone mentioned certified vs licensed. Don't I have to be licensed? I will be certified next week and taking state exam beginning of December. I think what bothers me the most is the amount of manual intense labor, patient load, lack of help from fellow CNA's (all from clinical experience) and just the general things I have seen that break my heart. I am in no way afraid of hard work and am willing to accept this new challenge. I guess I was also wrong to assume that this is a huge corporation and they would pay at least the avg..13.50, to start. I know the owners sit pretty and rake in most of the profit while the residents suffer and employees bust their butt. Where I do clinical is roach infested and filthy. Lack of care is very apparent, but where I interviewed looks complete opposite. Same owner- 1 is union, 1 is not. I also am not familiar with the difference in that either. Thank you for all comments...please state your area as well as salary to help me put things into perspective.

I just went on my 1st interview as I will be newly licensed.I got called for a 2nd for the 3-11 shift. A LTC facility with a huge Corp that owns several and the starting wage was 12.00 and hour!! I have a 2nd interview but that seems like peanuts to me. What to do! LOL I am NW New Jersey and heard the avg was 13.50. I have to buy my own uniforms with no reimbursement as well. Is that normal?? I am doing clinical in another of the same Co's facilities and its HORRID! This one is beautiful and I would be excited but after 23 years of hairdressing, paying for school to change careers for 12.00 an hour! HELP.

Hello. I will be done with my CNA course this week and license test is 12-5. I went on my 1st interview today at a facility in NJ that owns several others. I am doing clinical in one the same corp own as well and its AWFUL! This one is Beautiful! My question is, I am happy with the facility, hours etc...I was appalled to hear regardless of giving up bene's (have them with my husband) that the starting salary is 12.00 an hour!! Is it me or is it peanuts for the amount of work we do as CNA's?? I have been doing hair for 23 years and this is the start of a new career for me. I was called back for a 2nd interview and I don't know what to do...I was hoping for a hospital job and have applied. I want to take it to gain experience but have heard the avg starting in a LTC facility is 13.50 in NWNJ. I know this topic has been visited before and according to the internet, a 12.00 salary is like 2008. Can I please get some salary input or advice to help me make a decision? Thank you so much!!