wonderchic24

Just found out that the minimum for Spring 2016 was 102. Any one know of someone going into the spring cohort? I would love to give my books away for free! Thanks!

Thanks for the post! I am heading to nursing school in two weeks and being humble is something all students should be. I am super excited to be taught by nurses who have been there, done that! Even if they have to be super direct so I learn the right way and won't harm people in the future! Great post! :) Brook

My answer is the same as Proton's. Ours was part of our program and we received the BLS healthcare provider CPR. Definitely get that one as most facilities will not take other ones! Good luck! Brook

Hello! I am 38 and I too changed careers by starting as a CNA and now am heading to nursing school. I met a nurse who went back at 50 and absolutely loved her career change! She said you are never too old! I met another nurse who had a 60 year old in her class who worked another 7 years after graduating! I love being a CNA. Direct patient care can be challenging at times but if you aren't bothered too much with the three P's of CNA/Nursing (poo, puke and pee), you should be fine. Just remember to ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR BACK! I always raise the bed to waist height to turn people or change them. I can really tell when I don't do it so I take those extra few seconds to help me do this for years to come! Good luck - I think you will really like it! Brook

Hello! I have worked for both home health and a LTC facility and working in a facility will definitely give you the right experience for a hospital. Home health is about companionship, chores, errands, cooking, cleaning, not necessarily wiping butts, ADLs, etc. I have really enjoyed working at the LTC facility. I have learned so much! Make sure you research the company you will be working for. Not all of them are created equal! Good luck! Brook

I would argue there is no easy CNA shift as they all have their demanding moments. Day shift is hard but so is evening. Night shifts are often short staffed and the resident to staff ratio is often steep (in our facility, you may have up to 60 patients when short staffed). CNA work will give you a good idea if you want to continue in the medical field. It will also teach you the basics of nursing. It can also help you hit the ground running when in nursing school because you will already have that experience with basic patient care. Good luck! Brook

I think you can do it but it will be A LOT of work. There were lots of people in both A&P 1 and 2 that were taking the class again after taking both classes the same quarter and failing miserably. I think you have to determine whether or not you think it will work for you. How good are you at sciences? Willing to not have a life for a quarter or semester? Good luck! Brook

My favorite Clif Bars are coconut chocolate chip, oatmeal walnut. Blueberry crisp ones are okay - not my favorite but completely edible. I am allergic to peanuts so a lot of bars don't work for me! :) We eat and run a lot in long term care too. I keep almonds in my purse for when I am starving! :) Brook

Hello! Go back to school! I am 37, quit a full-time, well paying job to go back to school to become a RN. It was nerve racking to give up that security to go back and take all those lovely pre-req classes. But you know what? It has been completely worth it! I am married to a very amazing man who is supportive of my new goal. He told me that I was destined to do something else besides what I was doing. He was right! It sounds like you are ready for a new challenge. You like being a MA so you probably will love being a RN. You have been around them and it is time to join them! Keep your job and take any pre-reqs that you need. You can do one class at a time and then get apply to school. Good luck! I know you will do great! Brook

I think it can be awkward trying to dress another person when you are not used to it. I still am catching myself putting the wrong sleeve first, etc. I even put someone's shirt on backwards today. The client and I had a good laugh about it and told her that she needs to train me better! :) New skills can be awkward at first but if you stick with it, it becomes more routine and easier for you (and the client). I really like being a CNA but am looking forward to nursing school in March. I say try it and see if that is what you want to do for your first job! Good luck! Brook

I think this is what they are talking about: Fundamentals Success: A Q&A Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking (Davis's Q&a Success): Patricia M. Nugent RN MA MS EdD, Barbara A. Vitale RN MA: 9780803627796: Amazon.com: Books Brook

People can be grumpy for various reasons - pain is just one reason. You do have to separate the difference between someone being mad and someone being mad at you. Most of the time, people want to be heard and are just frustrated at their situation. I don't take it personally since even I can be crabby when I don't feel good. I think if you are at all interested in becoming a nurse, any volunteer experience with direct patient contact will be beneficial to you. Oncology would be very interesting and provide a different patient perspective than where you are now. I love being a volunteer at my local hospital. It is a great insight into what staff does to save people's lives on a daily basis! Good luck! Brook

Have you thought about a private CNA program? It is quicker and cheaper than a community college program. The downside is that when applying for schools, you will need to have your state license where some schools will accept you just having taken a community college program. I went to Divine CNA and it wasn't too bad! That being said, Bellevue has a great program that is well respected throughout the community. You should check into that! Good luck! Brook

I never found out about Highline since I got into Shoreline's program. I start March 31st and I am excited! Brook

This is an old thread but wanted to let you know that the minimum points for Spring 14 was 102.8! Brook

I personally like exclamation points but that is off topic!!! How much are you studying per week? Are you working too much? I would try to identify the road blocks that are keeping you from studying. Have you asked other students in your class to start a study group? Have you looked into the tutoring center on campus to see if they offer 1-on-1 tutoring for free or low cost? Or drop in hours? Take a deep breath and start trying to figure out what is going on. Keep at it though - don't give up if this is truly where you want to be! Brook

Hello! I would look at Renton Tech's Nursing Program. Here is what they say from their site: "Meet prerequisite course requirements as shown below with the following requirements: 1)a minimum grade of 2.5 in each course (two (2) attempts per course only); 2) a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better; 3) courses must have been completed within ten (10) years prior to program" I would also check out Shoreline since you have a lot of volunteer/paid experience. Their site says: "Individual courses for entry into the program require a minimum grade of 2.0." I don't think you are as screwed as you think you are. Not everyone will have an A in every class. Lake Washington requires a 3.0 in each class but they aren't nationally accredited. I would also check all the Seattle Community Colleges (NSCC, South Seattle, Seattle Central). Good luck on getting to the next step! :) Brook

First of all, congrats! Passing the exam is a great first step and will help you get that first job! As for searching for a job, talk to your instructors to see if they have any job leads. All hospitals will have jobs listed on their websites. Sign up for their email alerts so that when new jobs are listed, they come directly into your inbox. Look on craigslist for CNA positions. In the Seattle area, it has tons listed! Cracking into the hospital can be difficult with no experience (I haven't had any luck yet). You may be able to get on at a skilled nursing facility or a nursing home. Just be particular with where you go as there are good places and not so great. I got a job at a nursing home/rehab center and love it so far. I think it is giving me great experience! I don't think you should take just any old job for experience. You are setting up yourself for failure and frustration if you get into something questionable. Remember - protect your license (and back) at all costs as once they are gone, you can't get them back easily (or at all). I took a home health job since that is what would hire me. I hated it. I quit after three months since it was a questionable agency and it wasn't giving me the right experience. Some people love it so you have to figure out what you want to do! Also look in your local paper (usually find this online) for jobs. There are lots of online postings for CNA positions. I have looked at indeed and find their jobs to be old, outdated. A lot of CNA positions want candidates for the weekend. I don't think it will hinder you but you will need to find a position that works for both you and the company. They are worth waiting for! In my position, they are going to work with me once I start nursing school in March. And I haven't been there that long. So happy to continue working! Good luck! Brook

I would also check to make sure you are being paid for orientation. Not paying you for that is illegal. I have worked for a home health agency and they didn't pay for orientation but made it mandatory. Go figure. Please ask them what the dress code will be. Some have particular colors, types of shoes, hair requirements, etc. You should know before you go! Good luck!

Oh things do happen! I was picking up a resident's immobile hand and my fingernail nicked her skin. She now had a new skin tear (her skin tears so easily!) I was so upset but told the nurse and she said things do happen - just remember this and wrap it up next time. There are a lot of close calls on a daily basis and you have to know that you are doing your best. Keep their safety in mind first and keep going. First days are REALLY hard! We have all been there! Hang in there! Brook

Truly shocking! That is a terrible way to cut costs. It will be interesting to see what the families say when there is serious skin breakdown. They will blame you too! UGH... I say keep changing them and chart it. At least you are covering your backside. Might want to polish up your resume too - sounds like a crazy place to work. The state ombudsman might be interested in this new "policy". Good luck! Brook

I agree with happyloser and report it. You need to know what your employer's process is for complaints. At my employer, you can report it to their boss, you can report it to HR, you can report it to the compliance department or the integrity hotline. This staff member is obviously incompetent at their job so you need to report them. Most companies have an anonymous option for staff that fear retribution. Good luck! Brook

Hello! I felt that way when I first started at my day shift on LTC. I felt like I couldn't get anything done at all and that I was letting down my residents and my coworkers. Here are a few items that I would suggest: 1) Missingyou has a lot of great tips. If you can make every trip count, that will make life A LOT better! If I walk down the hall to throw garbage away, I will bring back clean linens for a bed I have to make. If a person is brushing their teeth, I will make their bed and set out anything for the next time they will be in their room. 2) Figure out what each person needs and start figuring out your process for them. I know that one of my clients won't get up before breakfast. So I put out a brief, wipes, clean clothes, and her wheelchair before I serve her breakfast. When I finally get back to her, I am not scrambling for the supplies. I can then focus on the task at hand. 3) Relax and take a deep breath! You will not get to everything done on each shift that you want. Since you are new, you may not know what you don't know and that comes with time at the job. If you keep them safe, dry, fed, and as happy as they can be, you have done a good job for that shift. Keep your head up and remember to smile! :) Brook

Congrats on the new job! Here are a few things I wish I had known before I became a CNA: 1) It can be a frustrating job at times. Remember to take a deep breath, ask for help from a coworker or take a quick break. It will help. 2) Help your fellow CNAs. You never know when you will need a favor! 3) Residents will sometimes choose things that you may not agree with or know they are not supposed to have. It is their right and you just have to let them do it. 4) Protect your back at ALL COSTS! It takes a few extra seconds to raise the bed but do it. You will thank yourself when you are still working in the field for years with no injuries! 5) Protect your license as well! Mistakes can happen but neglectful mistakes can cost your license. 6) Be as efficient as possible. Things are super busy on the floor so if you go to change a person and breakfast is soon, set up the tray and raise the bed. It will make dropping the tray off easier. If the patient is brushing their teeth, make their bed. You get the picture but it will allow to you do a lot during the day and not be as stressed! Good luck! It is a fun job but can be hard. Take care of yourself and your job will be less stressful! Brook

When I first started, I charted immediately since I was afraid that I would forget what I had just done. As I have worked more with the patients, I can now chart all at once and remember what I have done. At our facility, we can either tell the other CNA or can chart it for them. Again, it is just important that it gets charted! Incident reports are charted through a computer program - it will be different at your place! I try to see the next CNAs at shift change to tell them about the patients and anything that is unusual. I definitely tell nurses about serious issues or changes with the patients. I let the CNAs know everything else! Great questions - you sound like a good CNA! Brook