danijohn

Hey guys, Has a patient ever asked you for a massage? I have been a CNA/PCT for six years now and I am still uncomfortable with this question. Recently, a 30 y/o patient stated she "slept wrong" and had knots in her neck. She asked me if I could "massage her neck". I said I could get her a hot pack and see if the nurse could give her anything. However, when I worked home health care years ago, I had a 83 y/o patient with peripheral neuropathy who was crying in pain. She asked me to massage her feet. I just rubbed her feet and legs with lotion, which wasn't really a "massage". Every patient and every situation is different. Often times I am uncomfortable when patient asks me this question. I am curious to see what other people think and how other people have responded to this request. I would love to hear your input.

Take the job! I work at an inpatient rehabilitation center and it is much less physically demanding than a nursing home. Don't miss out on your "in" at a hospital. You can always transfer down the road. As previously mentioned, CNA work ANYWHERE is physically demanding, but in the hospital, at least for me, there is more equipment, guidelines and protocols for lifting and transfers. We have hover mats, bariatric beds, sit-to-stands, beds that turn the patient for you and ceiling lifts. We are not allowed to lift more than 15lbs. When I worked at nursing homes if the patient did not want to use a hoyer lift we would have to basically pick them up and stand pivot them with a gait belt. Rehab is great, it's one of the few units that you get to know the patient, watch them progress, get to know their family and know they are going home in a better condition than when they arrived.

I was in CNA school my senior year of high school. Three days after I graduated I was working two jobs at a home health agency and pediatric long term care facility. I know from experience that some of THE BEST nurses where CNA's first. I say go for it!! You can always choose where you work. Home health care is less physically demanding, so maybe start there. I have learned so much over they years, the experience and confidence you gain from being a caregiver WILL pay off. Follow your dreams!

If it is any comfort to you, I am in nursing school, work part-time at a hospital and have a 6 m/o. I work overnight, two nights a week. Somedays I get off at 7:20am, rush home to change and nurse and rush to be at class by 9am. It's tough but a strong cup of coffee and my family keep me going. It's doable. Every week isn't like that for me. Two overnight shifts is my limit. If I have the time and energy I can always pick up a shift. There is always and opening at my hospital. I like it that way. One overnight shift is like working two days to me. I would say work 2x12 or even PRN. I do know some nurses that work 3x12, but they don't have kids or have lots of family to watch their kids, or their kids are grown so they don't have to worry about childcare. Good luck to you!

I live in the Tampa Bay area and recently got a job at a hospital. I have 6 years of experience, so I'm sure that helped me, but I have met newly licensed CNA's working at hospitals. My best advise would be to apply, APPLY, APPLY. Beef up your cover letter, have someone else read it and take out time to apply for several positions. Don't be picky about units. Once you get into a hospital you usually can transfer out in 6 months time. Doing those online applications are so tedious and exhausting, but that's how I got in. Don't stop and don't let one word on a post stop you from applying! Good luck!

Take the time to make it personal. There are so many applications to go through and you want yours to be unique. My best advice would be to research the organization you are applying for. Look at their mission statement, vision statement and their goals. Find key words like patient-centered care or if they have accreditations that are valuable to you. Have they done anything for the community? I always try to tie in the similarities of the job with my personal and professional goals. Good luck!

I have a 5 month old, work part-time as PCT at a hospital and I will be starting my second quarter at nursing school in July. It's a two year program. I am just starting out and know that I will continue to be challenged. I am sure this will be the most challenging two years of my life, BUT I am more excited and optimistic about it. I have my fiancé and some family helping. A good support system is def. a big portion. You can do it! I would first stop doubting and questioning yourself and start having a mindset that, I AM GOING TO DO THIS!I HAVE TO DO THIS! Time management and organization is very important. I have an agenda, wall calendar and track things on my phone. Every night before bed I know what has to be done the next day. Also, I utilize every second I have. Literally! I will put my headphones in and listen to lectures or youtube while I'm pumping, washing dishes, walking the dogs or driving in the car. I flip through flashcards and talk to my daughter when she's doing her tummy-time or jumping in jump-a-roo. Yes it can be overwhelming at times, but I pray and keep pushing myself. There are moments, when I don't want to do anything, but I keep reminding myself this won't last forever and it will pay off in the long run. I drive 30 minutes to work, so what. Yes, I'm tired and yes it is hard, but I CHOOSE not to focus on that. You have to do what is best for you. Plan ahead, organize, get your child into a routine (my daughter is ready for bed by 7pm and wakes up at 5am pretty much everyday.), be positive, pray (if you are spiritual) and have a good support system (make sure they understand your needs) and a back-up plan for sick days and emergencies. This will minimize stress. I hope everything works out for you! You can do this!

Elderly patient in LTCF told me I was her slave and I was ugly. I'm multiracial (which doesn't matter), but still offensive. She demanded I get the doctor or she would have my job. I said ok and left the room. I laugh about it, just thinking if I was born 100 years ago, I don't know if I would survive. Boy am I glad times have changed, for the most part. "Kill them with kindness" is the best response to racist statements.

I agree with the comment above, since you don't want seem like you are "complaining". I don't think you would be, but like the person mentioned above, give it another day and try to problem solve on your own. If you can't work something out, then go to the manager. You can at least state you tried, but if she's not willing to teach you, that's not your fault.

Sorry to hear you are having such a bad experience. However, it is not uncommon to come across co-workers that are not helpful at all. I suggest that you be honest with your nurse manager and tell her how you feel and explain what is going on during your training. I would just say, as you mentioned, I am really excited about this job opportunity and very eager to learn. I want to do my best to deliver excellent patient care, however I do not feel like I am being trained properly. I do not feel that I am getting the opportunity to observe and learn all the necessary skills for me to succeed. I want to feel confident in my abilities to preform every task assigned. What can we do to make my orientation more productive? Is there someone else I can be paired with.? If you are genuine and honest your nurse manager will work with you most likely. You have to learn to advocate for yourself and address concerns promptly. Do not "pretend" to know anything. Once your training is over, you will be expected to preform all the necessary skills. Your license is on the line. Always protect yourself. You worked hard to get where you're at, so don't let one person compromise your job. A person training you should want you to do well, so you can be an asset to the floor. Be proactive and take control! Best of luck!

I've been a CNA for 6 years and now in nursing school. I just got a PCT job at a hospital. Have you finished your Fundamentals? Usually after you pass this class you can apply for hospital jobs.

I feel your pain. I did the same thing when I took my A&P 1 in 8 weeks. It was A&P boot camp. I think the chemistry was the hardest, I did better at integumentary and muscle/bone. I memorize well. I am very much a visual learner. I use to fill out coloring pages I found online, there are educational games you can play, I watched youtube videos and spent a lot of time in the lab out of class, taking pictures of the models. At home or in the morning I would flip through pictures and test myself. Also iTunesU is great! My professor was not the best, but I found other lectures and would listen to them in the car or walking the dog. I went from making D's to high B's doing this.

I work at Tampa General and I am also entering my second quarter at Galen. Tampa General had nothing negative to say about Galen College. They only state that once I finished my fundamentals I could apply as a nurse technician and that I would have to go for my BSN upon graduation. Take away- if a hospital would hire a Galen student, they would surely hire a graduate nurse. Also I have had my concerns about accreditation and I have spoke directly to SPC's Academic Records Specialist and she sent me to this link Transferring to SPC. This shows all the classes that transfer. I see no problem with going for my BSN after finishing Galen at SPC. Good luck!

Wow, Cali is expensive. I think my CNA course in MA was about 1200. Then I moved to Florida and down here you don't even have to take a course. You just test and you can get certified. I have worked for facilities that hire you after course and state certification and then reimburse you. I would look into reimbursement too. I have no idea about Cali though. I understand your struggle and ambition. The only other advice I could give you would be to jump on any waiting list if you can. Time will pass regardless and at least you would have something to look forward to. I know waiting sucks, but don't let a waiting list defer you. Also, I would look into a home health company and try to get hired as a sitter or companion. Then once you finally get your CNA license you could easily shift gears and transition within the same company. Plus you'll get some experience in the mean time. Good luck!

I have been a CNA for 6 years. Massachusetts and Florida. You are on the right track and it can be confusing when thinking about technicalities. Every place is a little different when it comes to supplies. Some residents have their own wash clothes and towels and other's you have to go to a cart or linen closet. Here is what I would do: Clean hands first always, no matter what you do. 1. Always knock. Ask permission to enter room (sometimes they may say just a minute in real life, always be mindful of privacy) 2. Introduce yourself. Name, I'm your CNA today 3.Explain what you are about to do (bed bath, oral care, position). Ask the patient if it is okay to proceed. (Every person has a right to refuse care). At this point I would pause and simply state to the examiner I would gather my supplies from the linen closet or personal bathroom, according to the facility's guidelines. Just talk yourself through it, to them. State if you leave the patients room you sanitize hands again (that's just infection control protocol). You are not wrong for bringing supplies in with you first or doing your introduction and then getting supplies. Just make sure you follow infection control and patient rights, privacy. This is applicable to the real world, either scenario is possible. Sometimes you have to leave the room to get someone to help you ( a resident that is a 2x person transfer or position). If you are just in a testing room, no telling where the linens are really located... 4. Pick up the linen and say I would make sure to keep them away from my body. (Infection control) 5. Take a towel and lay it down over bedside table and then I would place the rest of my clean linens down on that. 7. Set up your dirty linen bag and trash close to your working area (if needed, like during a bed bath or peri care) 6.Wash hands AGAIN, apply gloves and state I would gather PERSONAL supplies that SHOULD be in the patients room labeled (brief, basin, tooth brush, soap), provide privacy and begin care. Talk yourself through it, out-loud, is my best advice. I hope this helps you. A lot of things are repetitious. I don't know how different it is in Arizona, but that is what I did for my test and have done when state surveyors came to examine while I was at work.