Clarifier S'il vous

When I read this, I had to ask myself if I wrote this while I was really tired, LOL. At any rate, I personally do not think it's bad not to answer. There have been too many times I have answered or called back to tell them I'm sorry, but I can't work for whatever reason and all I get is cajoled and guilt-tripped. Although those who call claim they would appreciate the courtesy of a response so they can cross you off their list, this doesn't appear to be the case for most of them, based on their reaction when they do receive that courtesy. Therefore, I rarely answer these calls or call back if I miss them, unless I know for a fact that the person on the other end will politely take no for an answer.

Congratulation on landing your first CNA job! BTW: We both have the same ultimate goal of becoming a CNM. Pretty cool! Always carry a good pen, your staffing sheet (if your facility has these), a pocket full of clean gloves, and some breath mints (lol). Ask your facility manager about pumping breaks for nursing moms. Plan your day around what the nursing and other staff, such as PT & OT, need most. The nurses often need to know vitals right off the bat, so they can issue the proper meds first thing. They also need to be made aware of anything out of the ordinary that you notice. On that note, be sure to get vitals done as quickly as possible at the beginning of your shift and enter this information into their chart and inform the nurse of anything that doesn't seem right to you immediately. Have your patients ready for PT & OT as early as possible, if this is an issue on your unit. This means having their new PT/OT schedules written out on the white board right after vitals. It also means hustling to get everyone up, fed, showered/bed baths, clean clothes, combed hair, brushed teeth, etc. After all of this is done, you should be able to take a 15 minute break. After that, get your rooms straightened up, beds made, do some charting and get ready for the next meal (if you are on day shift). We normally stagger our lunch breaks so that each CNA is back from lunch before the patients are served their lunch trays. Be sure to check on everyone at least every two hours and keep them clean, fed, hydrated, changed, turned, etc, as needed. Chart when you can and take your breaks on time. There will always be something else to do but you need your breaks so you can keep going. That's not all! LOL. Keep those laundry & trash bags emptied. Be sure everyone has fresh water and anything else they may need. It's a never-ending job but as you go along, you will find a routine that generally allows you to get everything done that needs to be done. Remember that it is all about team work. If someone needs your help and you are not in the middle of something you can't stop, drop what you are doing and help them as soon as possible. Go the extra mile and it will be appreciated. Good luck and keep us posted! :)

I know you posted this a few days ago, but just wanted to offer some insight. I think orientation can make the job seem more difficult than it actually is. For me, it was harder to watch someone do something over and over than it was to actually do it myself without someone watching over my shoulder. Orientation was really overwhelming for me, as were my first few days off of orientation. Things are going a lot better for me now, only a couple of months later. My advice about avoiding the cold shoulder after orientation is to try to be very positive on the job. It always helps if you start off with a sincere compliment when you meet a new person, something like "Cute scrubs! Where'd you get them?" or "Nice haircut!". If you get around to it, ask about their interests, etc. It generally helps break the ice in a good way. Be sure to gauge your interaction to the personality of the person. If they are the joking type, it's okay to kid around a little bit. If they are very serious, be super professional with/around that person. If you suddenly have a few different tasks thrown your way, do your best to take it in stride, even if you are melting down on the inside. Be prepared to assist other CNAs when they need a second person to help with a 2-person lift, etc, and try not to keep them waiting. Of course, don't leave your patient hanging, but if you are charting or making a bed, make it a point to get to it as quickly as possible. Remember, as a new CNA, you will really have to hustle to get all of your assignments complete for the day. You might see the other CNAs looking all relaxed and not moving around so fast, but they know what has to be done and for them, their job is now second nature. One thing they love to see (and hate not to see) is that you go the extra mile. Don't leave those trash and laundry bags full. Get them emptied before they are too heavy to toss in the bin. Be sure your patients have fresh pitchers of water before the end of every shift. Get the beds and rooms tidied up as early as possible and be sure they are ready to go for the next shift. Make sure all your patients are changed and in clean clothing, looking appropriate all shift long, but especially right before the next shift comes on board. Be prepared to give/take report on time. If you keep up with these tasks, one day you will be surprised when someone leans over your shoulder and says, "You're good!" That's a great feeling! :)

You're welcome. Good luck! :)

I see you have already received some excellent advice. Another option would be to have titers done. If you have health insurance, it may or may not be covered. If you have to pay for this, it is a bit pricey, but it may be worth it to avoid any unnecessary vaccinations.

I became a CNA in Dec 2014. All of my classmates and I are/were pre-nursing students. We were told at that time by our instructors that our nursing prerequisite courses would count toward our CEUs. At least 12 of the required 48 units had to be completed within the first year and the rest in the second year. I was on my way to take anatomy and physiology the first year after I received my certification, so I thought I was golden. I landed a home care job soon after I became certified and didn't worry about CEUs after that, since I still had three major science classes to complete at that point. After about a year and a half, I got a job as a CNA in a LTCF, partially to help fulfill my need to work as a CNA in a facility to maintain my certification, and partially to get my foot in the door with this company. This is when I found out that the pre-nursing classes I had taken during the first year no longer count toward CNA CEU requirements by the state in order to renew my certification next year. Basically, I will have to challenge the exam and take the entire thing over again. I have no idea where that will take place, it may be several hundred miles away and I won't have a choice as to testing sites. I have to keep my CNA certification current in order to be admitted into the nursing program I am on the waiting list for. I am most concerned about the fact that real-life CNA work is not always a text-book situation. I am annoyed that I will have to take the exam again and hope I can pull off the skills portion. I am not worried about the written part. A little studying will go a long way, but the skills make me kind of nervous. Plus, it is a major inconvenience. Anyway, just a little vent, as well as a heads-up, to keep up with any recent CEU requirement changes in your state.

That does suck! Maybe you can take a shorter course or find a facility you wouldn't mind working in for a year or so pay for your training. I'm sorry this is happening but just imagine how well you will do the second time around. You'll have everything down pat!

I'm so glad to hear the positive updates from you! Sounds like you are doing much better than you had expected. I also like the advice that your instructors are not calling you out so much as creating a learning opportunity for everyone. Try not to take it personally. I'm sure you are doing just fine. Hang in there and keep us posted. Remember, you are going to make a difference in people's lives.

Well, I think you just need a kick in the pants, LOL. I'm in the same boat. It was more important for me to raise my family and I did that as long as I possibly could as a stay at home mom but there came a time when I needed to do more to support my family financially and now I am a CNA/pre-nursing student. I think you are doing a fantastic, amazing thing for your family. Just keep telling yourself, it is only 8 weeks. Also, realize that the younger students probably have a lot of respect for you and look up to you as a great role model. Another issue is, you will find most CNAs are closer to your age, once you start working. Do not beat yourself up any further. Raising a family is a noble occupation. So now you are working on a second career, in a sense. You are doing a great thing! Stick with your goals and try to feel better about yourself, okay? You are not alone! :)

I remember reading on here that you should just not be available for the minimum amount of shifts required for your position. It is sort of a default way of quitting. Essentially, it is like issuing a passive resignation and creates an automatic termination from the system, without causing any major issues.

I'mma tellin' ya! Sucks to find that out way too late.

Definitely plan ahead for this idea. I know a lot of students who went to a private LVN program (same as LPN in other states) and later found out the information provided by the school was not exactly accurate as far as being able to easily transfer into an RN program at a later time, as far as credentials go. In addition to this, the cost was extremely inflated compared to other LVN programs. I've met students who ended up redoing their LVN at a better accredited nursing program after getting into a ridiculous and unnecessary amount of debt through these disreputable programs, just so they would be able to transfer into an RN program. Also, I know a lot of LVN students from the aforementioned program, as well as others that were actually legitimate, who thought they could transfer into the RN portion of the ADN program at a local community college with the same wait as any other student. They later found out that in order to have the average wait of two to four years for a person who started off as a CNA (which is required in this program), did all the prerequisites, and then applied for the ADN program, instead there is an eight to ten year wait because the program only takes two students per year who became LVNs elsewhere. You may become an LPN much sooner with an expensive private program, rather than if you chose another route, but there may be hidden caveats you won't find out about until it's too late. Do your research and don't give up. If you want this badly enough, you can make it work. The bottom line in, if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

Oh, I totally get it. I work for someone like that in home care and it drives me up the wall constantly. For example, I will be just about to do something within my normal routine and she will tell me to do it, even when it is obvious I am just about to do it. It's definitely a control issue. Do talk to your boss and the owners and see if anything can be done. Don't worry, again, you did not bully her, under any circumstances. She pushed you to the limit, which is exactly what she wanted to do.

My last prerequisite for the ADN program I'm on the waiting list for: Microbiology; 5 units. Also, a resume writing class, which only takes place on two Saturdays; 1 unit.

Mine paid. Many do.