tinkCC

I am just returning to work after having MRSA. A resident who was "in insolation" but also very attached to me is where I am sure I contacted it. She was allowed out of the room with a mask to smoke. Because a conbative resident had scratched me, the infection had an entry point on my arm. To make it worse I am diabetic so healing was even slower. And I was told by the Dr. I am not even more likely to have another serious bout with it.

trouble is ..that third one is not normally on my wing!!!!! I have had the chance to work with a wonderful, caring nurse ..who I want to be just like. While our regular floor nurse was on vacation. Our regular floor nurse is huge!! and she is lazy ..even the residents notice that !! We have a hard time keeping any one else on our wing because they try it and call in saying "it's too hard" I agree ..our wing is too much for one nurse and too much for 2 aids. I keep telling myself I am only doing this till I get in to LVN class in August and once done I will not return to that facility, but I think about the residents who depend on me and I am not quite sure I wont go back there.

that's my largest problem with being a CNA ..not the pay but the ratio of residents to CNA's. I have an average of 12-16 residents most total care. You can not give good care at that ratio when the majority of residents in your care are total care. The other two CNA's that work on my wing do not really care what type of care they give and I have heard them say things that I consider abusive to residents. One even told me "dont worry so much about answering the light, if you have been in there once a shift then your done". She said that because I do not stop for breaks or even lunch. If I stop there is no one to take my place and that means residents left wet or needing help and I cant leave someone like that.

I totally agree with you. I have been off sick for 2 weeks (contracted MRSA from a resident) and when I went by my facility to drop off my release to return to work I checked on my wing ..So many of the residents I care for are total care and it was their being happy and relieved that I was coming back was my reward. When one cried (in fact the one I got MRSA from) and hugged me saying she thought she would never see me again, it really tugged at my heart. I work with other aids that are close to verbal abuse at times and it makes me sick. I work with some nurses that will not lend a hand when I have a resident that requires two people assist. I know I if I make it in to the LVN class in August I will never be that kind of nurse. I think the most reward a CNA .. a good CNA can get is a nurse that understands her/his work load and is willing to help when he/she can. The real rewards come from the families and the residents you care for. So it is the appreciation of those I care for and their families that makes the most difference for me :)

I am nervous about taking the NET too. The first part of June I am suppose to get the notice of the time and Date ..it was great to read that some of you didnt find it as difficult as you feared .. I am 49 and besides the quick 3 week CNA course I havent been to school since the early 70's.

I go back and forth worring about if I will get in. I decided to up my chances by going first for CNA and working at a Nursing home. I have kept in contact with everyone involved with the LVN course by email. Letting them know just how bad I want this. I feel at this point the only way I will not get in is if I fail the NET at the end of June.. and I refuse to even consider that.. so never give up!!!!