HAPPY

I am no longer seeking an additional client. All together I have 2 and I am still volunteering at the hospital in the med/surg department so I basically have enough on my plate. I do eventually want to work in a nursing home and with many other seniors and possibly those with disabilities as well. Possibly even go to school again too. But right now I am doing just fine where I am at.  I also have my other ventures at the moment so I am busy enough.

                      

Seeking an Additional Client in the Fall!

Since my daughter is starting school in the Fall I will have additional time to care for another client part-time. :)

For additional information go to:

http://cnajackie.blogspot.com

Ordered this Tee! :D (In a gray tank)

http://teespring.com/hardworkingCNA2

Already have 2 Clients!

I have a 2nd client, an on call client, a man in his 70s recovery from a stroke, I have already worked twice to help care for him. Once for a few hours and the 2nd time overnight.

When I make him his meals he likes me to eat with him, plus I understand no one likes to eat alone.

Anyway I love working as a Nurse Assistant Independently! I wont be taking anymore clients until after Fall 2014. 

Self-Employed Nurse Assistant - My First Client!

So 2.5 weeks ago I interviewed for my first client. I was excited and nervous because 1) it was my first client after training to become a nurse assistant 2) and had no experience except for my clinicals and 3) havent interviewed for any job in a long time as well as doing it independently.

The interview went well and I started the following Monday.  : D

Last week was my first week and she is a 96 year old independent Jewish lady, very sweet and stays in a lovely retirement community.

 Im so happy to be doing what I set out to do more than 2 years ago and independently under no company or anything.  Just last night I got referred to another part time client and I will be calling about them today or tomorrow.

 I still plan to get certified in the Fall and still volunteer at the hospital on Wednesdays.

My vision initially when getting a client was taking her or him to the movies and such, but because of the circumstances and the kind of scooter she has its kind of hard, so I just bring her presents instead.

I want to treat my clients like family or really good friends at least. :)

75 Uses for Baking Soda

http://lifehackery.com/2008/07/22/home-4/

Whats New?

So I know its been a minute since I posted about my CNA status so I thought I would update yall. I still have not taken my state test, honestly I am REALLY nervous and I have had a lot going on this Summer, because my daughter has been sick, family in town and going on vacation so far and everything else in between.

I think in the Fall after my daughter goes back to school I will take the state test. I just want to do it once and pass. I know thats putting a lot of pressure on myself but this being a state test is very stressful in itself.

I have been doing heavy local marketing through Care.com and applying for jobs for independent senior home care, using my facebook page and such to seek out local clients just 1-2 solid good clients is all I want. I have my first meeting with a perspective client next week. :D I will still be volunteering at the hospital weekly. Plus on top of that working my online business. 

Other than that continuing with my work at home job housekeeping & pet sitting. 

Thinking down the line of still going to school to become a Clinical Medical Assistant because I dont want my education to stop there and I want to learn more skills. :)

Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits

Seek OK from a healthcare provider, doctor, practitioner etc first! 

Cancer Cure

Certificate of Completion Nurse Assistant Training Program

Infographic: How to SPOT Skin Cancer

Infographic: How to SPOT Skin Cancer

CPR Certified

Thursday, May 1st I got Certified in CPR. First, CPR is NOT about doing mouth to mouth and they have equipment for that now so you dont have to touch some strangers mouth.

Another interesting thing I learned was to determine how to get CPR from a child to an adult is if the child is going through puberty then if they are then they are considered an adult.

I have wanted to be CPR Certified since my daughter was born lol, 10 years later now I am! :p

Since more facilities are requiring First Aid and Food Handlers those are the next Certifications I will be acquiring to work as a CNA.

I also decided if I want to advance in the medical field it will be as a CLINICAL Medical Assistant....aka Patient Care...still unsure about RN.

I have started applying for jobs, still need to makeup class hours before I take my state test to be a Certified Nurse Assistant. Other than that I just keep moving forward.

Ok....So What Now??

So Friday April 25th was last day of my CNA classes. I passed my class final with an 89% ,need to make up 12 classroom hours since I missed 2 school days and completed my Clinicals.

Once I complete my classroom hours I register to take my state test. Im less nervous than I originally was, still need to study my ass off and learn my skills down to a T. Im seeking independent employment with the elderly and/or persons with disabilities doing home care so I can bring my daughter along with me.

I will also be taking my Basic Life Support Class for Healthcare Professionals next week. I would like to take more classes  as well such as Phlebotomy, Human Anatomy Cadaver class and others.

Im thinking about either MA or RN. idk. I dont want to be a paperwork nurse, I want to be a patient care nurse or medical assistant that is involved in patient care. If I wanted to continue with office admin shit I would have stuck to being a customer service rep.

 I think now my ultimate goal is to own my own long term care facility after taking my clinicals at a dump and feeling sorry for those poor residents who have to deal with that daily. I plan on visiting there though again with the residents since that is the only thing I liked about that place.

The Philosphy I want to live by in the medical field is Patch Adams. Or my Clinical Nurse Instructor. She is a patient care nurse, communicates with her residents and CNAs and CARES. She loves doing CNA stuff and helping out her CNAs when she can. THAT is what I would want to be if I ever decide to become an RN. Personally after my contact with RNs Im unsure but the can always change with one person. If every RN followed the same principle and philosophy.

If I ever work anywhere it would be a hospice, home care or long term care facility. I have no desire to work in a hospital.

Well stay tuned and if you are in the Salt Lake City area, I am available for home care for your elderly family member. :) 

1st Day of Clinicals

Yep today was the day, to see if this is something I really could and wanted to still do and thankfully I still do!

Initially I was worried about changing briefs but now I have changed a few and it aint bad at all, in fact Im having more issues doing my vitals :p
 Always no matter how much they tell you in one class everything is going to be its always completely different when you are on the actual job.  For example either the facility, the CNA or all didnt do according to "standard" as in by the book.

E was our instructor for clinicals, she has been an RN for over 20 years, she offered some good advice before we started our shift. She said make sure you practice time management,  multi-task, get along with co-workers best as you can, interact with the residents not only to bond but to make your job easier so you can calm the fighters or those who do not want to do things like dress and shower and prevent getting yourself hit and some other good advice I cant remember.

She also said if you decide down the line to become an RN, you have a choice to be a paper nurse or a patient care nurse, I know I want to be a patient care nurse to be and bond with the patients, because most nurses have never been CNAs and think they are above that kind of work. SMDH. If I ever become a nurse I know I would like to model after E's philosophy to build relationships with your CNAs and residents to not only keep things running smoothly but to get to know who you are working with etc...

The biggest thing about becoming an RN would be to make sure you have worked as a CNA so you can understand where your CNA is coming from and help them out if they need it. idk still debating on that or an MA. I know I do not want to be on paperwork and would rather be out there helping my residents. Some RNs sit at their desk all day and dont give a shit to help CNAs at all. SMDH.

My purpose for becoming a CNA was first a career change from customer service, to be able to have a mobile job and not stuck in a cubicle the whole day and to have one on one with others who are more fragile, helpless and to help them. My preferred work as a CNA would be a nursing home, hospice and/or home care.

What I love most about being a CNA is that we are the eyes and ears of the patients health. We are the ones that are closest to the residents so we know how they feel better than anyone else, my only pet peeve about that is if there is anything wrong with the patient we must report everything to the nurse :p

I also know I would like to work alone as a CNA and handle my residents myself, unless I need help with moving a patient then of course I would call another nurse assistant to come in and help.

The facility OMG smh. The residents pay $5000 a month and get crappy food and small ass rooms. But I know they dont completely pay for it because of medicaid or medicare. Still though you would think that they would treat them better. We had 1 CNA caring for 20 residents at a time when the ratio is supposed to be 1:12. You would think with all that damn money they could get more CNAs and/or pay them more. I couldnt ever work for a facility like that or send any of my family members there plus its downtown on the east side and I dont play that neither lol!

The CNA I shadowed was pretty nice but there were a couple of instances that I would handled differently. For example there was a senior in her wheelchair sitting in the dining area 3 hours before dinner, I asked her if she was hungry and she said yes and that dinner wouldnt be for a couple of hours so then I went and found the CNA and told her and she did nothing. Another thing is it was before our night shift ended and she didnt want to change the heavy woman but changed her roommate.

I also dont think that the CNAs in general moved the patients very much so they had bed sores on their bottoms and other places on their bodies. :( Plus the heavy woman had asked for ice over an hour ago and they never brought it to her, its not that hard to do neither and they never move her! 

I was happy though that I got to connect with a resident since that was my wish in also pursuing this career.  Im seem to attract Latin/Mexicans as friends lol, the same at the hospital where I volunteer at too lol.  She was great she loved being at the home, she said her life was easy and she is 80 years old and no one bothers her. She spoke no word of English but I could understand most of it.

Then there was G, he was getting ready for his sisters viewing and funeral for the next day. He dressed real sharp. Then you have R, he is your typical dirty old man and hilarious lol.

Anyway now that I know what to expect, today will be a lot easier I think and I can do more. Instead of Nurse shoes, tennis shoes, my feet were killing me yesterday from running around, I dont need my wrist watch with a second hand since they use a digital vitals machine, I dont need my vicks for the smell because I have a stuffy nose and can never smell anything anyway, I can bring a lunch to heat up instead of a plain cold lunch etc...

Trying to remember if there was anything else? Oh well. 

So you can pretty much say Im ready for Day 2 of Clinicals ;)

Modern Day Candy Striper

 What is a Candy Striper? According to Wise Geek it is "

A candy striper was traditionally a young, female hospital volunteer; a concept that originated in the 1940s. The unique job title represented the candy cane look of the red and white-striped pinafores worn by the volunteers. Traditionally, the girls sewed their own pinafores. East Orange General Hospital in New Jersey started the first candy striper program in 1944.

During the 1950s and 60s, the popularity of candy stripers was widespread. In general, the goal of a candy striper was to make a patient's stay in the hospital more pleasant. Initially, a candy striper simply delivered mail or patient meals, but as nurses became overburdened, the volunteers took on additional duties. Now, a candy striper might help feed, or read to, a patient; assist as a patient is discharged; or deliver messages. Other duties include transporting book or video carts to patient rooms.

Much has changed in candy striping over the years. In the early years, the training to be a candy striper lasted months, but now most hospitals train the volunteers in a few days. Currently there are male candy stripers; although most hospitals have a higher percentage of young female volunteers than males. "Volunteer" is the more likely term used to refer to a candy striper nowadays, and the uniform is not likely the red and white jumper of years past. "

I just realized Im a modern day Candy Striper and as a hospital volunteer, interesting and DUH :p

1st & 2nd Day CNA Training

Classes started on Monday...We did book work, received our books & supplies, learned how to make a residents bed and do vitals for blood pressure and pulse. I also slept in the morning of class.

I was really exhausted after school, I was up for a few hours and then fell asleep during the movie Coneheads. I did not do my homework for Monday night so I tried to get up at 5:30am today and do it then but I only got through a couple of pages.

So, today, ALL day today, we worked on Chapter 2 and watched videos. Chapter 2 was the longest chapter ever and I am happy it was finally done. I also slept in the morning of class again :p I guess nothing unusual since in High School I slept in school too lol!

Anyway today we made residents beds again and did more vitals. We need to practice vitals 50 times or the paper will get returned back until its completed. On Chapter 1, I got 100% on the quiz and today on Chapter 2, I got 87% I wasnt too concerned since I passed.

Now we are skipping over to Chapter 6 which is due tomorrow and I did that today during class so I have more time to relax. We are getting skills done since we are doing Clinicals next week so we need those done first before we can do our hands on work.

Tomorrow we need to wear a pair of clothes over our scrubs so we can learn how to change and dress residents and then Friday we are bringing a cup, snack and spoon so we can learn how to feed residents. Its quite amusing but fun. :D

I asked our teacher (who is an RN) if they really are phasing out LPNs and she said yes and I also asked her about accelerated RN courses and she said those only work for those who already have a degree in something. I digress on the latter though.

Im loving training though, its so different than what I am used to doing. :) The medical field is really new to me, vs what I normally have done which is call center customer service - office admin - internet network marketing - telemarketing. I really think CNA is what I was meant to do since I like caring for others.

Start CNA Classes Monday!

I did everything I had to do! Im nervous! I haven't been to school in over 10 years and I will be traveling daily to 3 different cities for school, babysitter and home.

I have my scrubs, alarm set, class paid for, papers printed for school and my lunch & tote bag ready.

The only thing I need to do is purchase at the school is a wrist watch with a second hand, my stethoscope, my bp cuff, textbook and handbook.

More on my first day of class tomorrow night! ;)

How Long to Nap

Funding Approved for CNA Classes BUT....

First they need for me to PROVE I can really do this CNA job....

So they made a list of things for me to do. Which I did the VERY same day after my meeting with DWS. This aint no joke to me. (meeting was Thursday, March 27th 2014 at 930am)

First thing I had to do was get a letter from the school stating all the additional fees I would incur aside from the cost of the class. Such as needing a stethoscope, bp cuff, scrubs, plus costs to take the state exams and such so I can get my certificate/license to be an official Certified Nursing Assistant. I did, as soon as I got home I emailed the school and asked them for my request via the DWS in order to get my funding and then I saved the file and sent the first email regarding the school costs with an official letter head from the school.

Second thing I needed to do was get info from my friend who was going to watch my daughter during that time after school and on spring break (since its around the same time) of how much she would charge hourly. Now, my friend is a really good friend and stating she would do it for free. But I wasnt going to put her out like that. She is a stay at home mom and we all need money for our family and bills. So I got the info from her and then emailed the DWS counselor the info. 

Third and most important I had to justify that I can get a CNA on my schedule and MY terms. So I had to send her 7 jobs that have flexible shifts to become a CNA. Which I did and found very easily. (she only requested 5 total) Because the 2nd meeting with her and at the beginning she stated "Im sorry but as a CNA with no experience starting out you will need to work graveyard and a 12 hour shift because of other experience I had with other CNAs". CALLED BULLSHIT! Some healthcare jobs are VERY flexible with your needs based on what I found and since I had been researching this for awhile.

I do want to make it quite clear though, I told her if for some reason she decides I will not get the money for my classes, I will raise the money myself some way. She told me she didnt want me leaving feeling like that. Well....So I told her well Im looking at all my options and if I cannot fulfill your requirements then I will get it myself although I would prefer to get it from yall. 

See, I cannot work a regular 12 hour shift or graveyard right now as a Nurses Assistant because Im also a housekeeper & pet sitter for my parents who are over the road truck drivers and they need me to take care of the pets, run errands and clean the house and I quit my corporate call center career for an big shipping company back in March 2012 (which I was with for 6 years) so I can help my parents while they are on the road working.

Plus, ALL my daughters life she has been in daycare or had a sitter. NO MAS! I will not put her in daycare again. I will work 1-2 days a week while she is in school and figure out what to do during the summer and holidays when she is out of school. Hence I need a VERY flexible schedule.

And now again I WAIT! The class starts on Monday, April 14th. So Im kind of on edge now waiting for this process to hurry up! They did send out the visa card that I need to activate but monies are to be determined by what I need for my classes and childcare.

During the 2 week training I cannot put my focus anywhere except on my classes so I can pass and get my certificate and be done! Which I will let everyone around me know.

Drink Water

1st Day Volunteering at the Hospital

Today was my first day volunteering at the hospital and I LOVED IT!

I work in the med/surg dept the first thing I did this morning was restock the linen closets with towels, blankets, sheets. There were maybe 10 linen closets total. I did it all by hand, no roller cart to assist or anything, I just carried things from the storage room and then to each linen closet to restock the item. It took me around 2 hours to do it.

Then, I made sure that all the rooms had enough  small, medium and large gloves in all sizes and replaced boxes that were nearly empty.

After I was finished I made room kits for new patients which included all the toiletries they would need during their stay at the hospital, I remember getting one when I went to the hospital 2 years ago. Each shelf needed only 2 and there were 8 shelves but just because they could not find much for me to do I added an extra bag onto each shelf.

Once I was done, they really had nothing for me to do and so I killed my last hour in the break room and spoke to housekeeping. Since I am moving into this field I like to know what roles everyone has in a hospital and such.

 So finally, since I worked a 4 hour shift, I was able to get a free lunch at the hospital cafe. Since they were out of the chicken salad crossiant I decided to have the Thai Peanut Shrimp with white rice, peanut sauce and added rooster sauce to make it a little bit more spicy and a rootbeer to drink, then signed off as a volunteer and ate some of my lunch there and then went to run errands before I got my daughter from school.

When I first got there I wasnt sure about the attitude of the nurses or staff. Then they warmed up to me since I was helping them out a lot with getting things ready for new patients. Normally no one wants to work in the med/surg dept of the hospital but I did and do ;) I do prefer working on my feet vs an office customer service type job I had before.

I also have a meeting next week about the funding for my CNA classes. YAY! :D Cant wait to volunteer next week too!

Tour, Badge & Uniform at Hospital Today

So today after I took my daughter to school I went to the hospital to do my tour, get my badge and uniform. It was AWESOME! So excited! I start tomorrow.

I get free lunch after working my 4 hour shift, I will be working in the medical/surgery dept. We already have an volunteer awards party coming up in April.

I know I will be doing a lot of folding and restocking in the dept but according to my itemized duties list for my area I will be working with patients too such as bringing them magazines & books, reading to them and if they request me to visit them. Plus handle some call lights and let RNs know about patients needs. Which is also in line with the work a CNA does.

Speaking of CNA. I got a call today about my funding for my classes and I have an appt with them either this week or next week. We have been basically playing phone tag.

Another thing I am looking into is getting a very part time job in my new field either in nursing home or those with disabilities. I have a couple of connections between the hospital I volunteer at and a couple of people I know.

I will be upgrading both my Care.com and SitterCity.com to get more work to me around my schedule.

More tomorrow on my 1st Day! :D

Human Pin Cushion

http://www.nancysnotions.com/product/large+pink+tomato+pincushion+with+pins.do

So, yesterday I get a call from the hospital and they needed me to come in to the employee health nurse to get a booster shot since I am not immune to measles.

So I went and did that this morning and then turned in my paperwork to HR as completed.

Now, the last step is waiting for the Volunteer Committee to contact me to do my hospital tour, get my badge & uniform and hopefully start on Wednesday since that will be the day I volunteer weekly.

Human Pin Cushion?  The last two weeks I have had my blood drawn between my own personal doc appt and the hospital itself for volunteering and getting vaccinated up the ying yang! : X

I had to fast the day before yesterday to get more blood drawn for more tests from my doctor when I was just going in for refills on my RXs lol

I do NOT like fasting. Im unable to commit to Cleanses because I just cant do it. Right now Im mostly eating  a lot of fruits daily - mandarine oranges and bananas mostly. The more fruit I eat the more I crave it it seems now.  Fruit can keep you full and makes a great snack as well. Plus I eat string cheese and Smuckers Uncrustables.

Hurry Up and Wait.....The Waiting Game

So Monday I turned in all my documentation to see if I am eligible for funding for my CNA classes with DWS and today I did my 2nd TB Test with the hospital about Volunteering.

Now all I do at this point, is WAIT.

Thursday I go back in to get my 2nd TB Test read and then Im waiting to see if I am eligible for monies for my cna classes.

After I get my TB Test read and all is well, I wait for a phone call from the Volunteer Committee about coming in and doing my Hospital Tour, get my badge and uniform and such. Then I can finally start! Which I am assuming it wont be until most likely next week. BLAH. :p

Im not very patient, I understand there are processes in place but omg annoying. So now I sit here and WAIT. Tick Tock Tick Tock.

How to Wash Your Hands Properly

http://thelovingmum.sg/tag/hand-wash/

Hospital Volunteer Orientation

So today I had orientation for volunteering. I had to sign a few more agreements and go through the orientation on the computer office power point regarding the policies and procedures of the hospital. Kind of reminded me of my normal job I had in the past, except this one was more thorough in safety and such. I learned about the different hospital codes, I thought those were interesting.

For example Code Pink (my favorite color) meant "Infant Abduction", Code Red meant "Fire", Code Blue meant "Medical Emergency" and Code Purple (my daughters favorite color) meant "Stroke".  Plus there were over half dozen more different codes to know. I thought that was neat. :D

I also got a list of the work I will be doing, which I will be in the medical/Surgical Dept working almost the same kind of work as a CNA (which is what I requested) so its perfect Im doing this. 

I forgot to mention the perks of being a Hospital Volunteer:
1) 4 Parties a year for volunteers
2) Free lunch on shift
3) Christmas Gifts
4) Uniform

and more I am not aware of Im sure and my 2 bonuses getting the experience and getting out of the house! :D

Working or even Volunteering in a hospital requires a lot of interpersonal skills, which I have.  I am so happy I chose to volunteer at the hospital around the same time I am getting my CNA Certificate. Because for example, as much as I do not care for vaccines or the flu shot and did not have my previous childhood records, the employee health nurse asked me if I was going into healthcare and I said yes said I will need it ALL the time working as a CNA regarding employment and such.I will get the experience as well I need for when I become a CNA.

I really was worried about getting the flu shot because last year when my mother, who is an over the road truck driver was on the road working, after being home and visiting her doctor and received the flu shot and kept the same medication routine as always ended up paralyzed and in the hospital in PA. But I figure its part of the territory and if I want to work around elders, sick people and people with disabilities then this is a sacrifice I am going to have to make.

Now the last step to volunteering is having another meeting to get my badge, uniform and tour of the hospital and my 2nd tb test (idk why I need another, the lab didnt know when I had to get more blood withdrawn so she told me to ask my head nurse in HR). I should "crossing my fingers" start next week! :D

Next week I also have a meeting with DWS about getting my funding for my CNA classes in April. I still need a BP Cuff & Stethoscope.

SOOOOOO EXCITED!!! :D

Whats the word on Becoming a CNA?

Well, so far to get the funding for my classes to become a CNA I need to jump through hoops and meet with an employment counselor even though this is to add on to my current self-employment of a housekeeper and pet sitter

So it looks like I will not be taking the classes till April 2014. :/ Oh well. I also still need my BP Cuff and Stethoscope.

On the upside I have figured out a sitter situation for my daughter while I am in my CNA classes and I am IN in Volunteering gig at the Hospital.

Yesterday they had did my TB, Background and Drug Test. (my first ever drug test, it was weird, I have only ever had one in Job Corps and my prior corporate job never did them).  Friday I have to go back to check on my TB test and then I have to wait a couple of weeks for my background check to be done then I will get orientation, tour, uniform, badge etc.

Volunteering at the hospital will give me the experience as I need being a CNA and get me out of the house. Still my ultimate goal is caring for 1-2 elderly weekly independently.

I got the gig to be a Hospital Volunteer! YAY!

How to Poop

ObamaCare Summed Up

I Cant Wait to Work with Seniors

Pros and Cons of Being a CNA

Following the CNA groups on Facebook, I have noted the Pros and Cons of being a CNA.

First lets start with the Pros ;)

1) Connecting with the Patients
2) Pampering Patients with hair and nail care
3) Hearing the stories of the senior Patients about their life and history
4) Cleaning Dentures (I thought that was interesting lol)



Cons: :(

1) Senior Patients who pass away
2) Cleaning up body fluids (shit, piss, vomit etc)
3) Treated like a maid
4) Other healthcare aids not caring as much as you do
5) Ungrateful people (whether be other staff and some patients families etc)
6) Pay
7) Transport to and from meals (or anywhere for that matter)
8) Drama

I cant wait to see what my Pros and Cons of being a CNA will be. :D

To Be or Not To Be a Nurse....That is the Question

So getting ready to take my CNA classes and hear from the hospital about volunteering, so in the mean time I have been asking a lot of questions in CNA Facebook Groups, Researching and Observing. One of my thoughts are on deciding to become a Registered Nurse.

This Blog is about Everything Nursing. although my main goal is right to just be a CNA, I have considered in the future getting my Bachelors in Nursing but I may just go to school for it and stick to being a CNA.

 See I like to go against the grain, I feel like the CNAs get to be more rebellious or something idk lol! But what I dont like is being treated like shit by Nurses and such based on my occupation of CHOICE.

I think though when I was in the hospital the CNAs were the most helpful and whom I remembered more than everyone else.

The 4 big differences I have noticed between a RN and a CNA are:
 1) As a Nurse you dont have much time with the Patients (not as personable) like the CNAs do

2) Nurses are Paid Better

3) Nurses are Treated Better

4) CNAs only have average 4 week training and Nurses have 2-4 year college degree training. 

Plus aside from those major differences there is more paperwork involved, seems less hands on, idk. Mostly deal with shots and scripts etc. in being a Nurse.

I just want to right now become a CNA with the proper certifications and take care of a couple of elderly independently.

Then down the line work full time and go to school full time once L is grown up. Healthcare is a career field I never thought I would want to be apart of in the first place. So one step at a time. :p

Side Note: I got a sitter for two weeks while I take my  CNA classes, now I just need to get my BP Cuff and Stethoscope.  Next to make an appt with social services to see about paying for my classes.

The Kiss Heard around the World

The nurse from the famous kiss photo (via http://scrubsmag.com/)

It was the photo seen around the world: A solider (sailor) kisses a nurse and is captured by Life magazine during V-J Day. The nurse, Edith Shain, became a pseudo-celebrity years after the war when she came forward and admitted it was her in the photo…

---

CNA Humor

lol LOVE THIS lol

Florence Nightingale - Founder of Modern Nursing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale

"
Florence Nightingale, OM, RRC (/ˈflɒrəns ˈnaɪtɨŋɡeɪl/; 12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910) was a celebrated British social reformer and statistician, and the founder of modern nursing. She came to prominence while serving as a nurse during the Crimean War, where she tended to wounded soldiers. She was known as "The Lady with the Lamp" after her habit of making rounds at night.
Early 21st century commentators have asserted Nightingale's achievements in the Crimean War had been exaggerated by the media at the time, to satisfy the public's need for a hero, but her later achievements remain widely accepted. In 1860, Nightingale laid the foundation of professional nursing with the establishment of her nursing school at St Thomas' Hospital in London. It was the first secular nursing school in the world, now part of King's College London. The Nightingale Pledge taken by new nurses was named in her honour, and the annual International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on her birthday. Her social reforms include improving healthcare for all sections of British society, improving healthcare and advocating for better hunger relief in India, helping to abolish laws regulating prostitution that were overly harsh to women, and expanding the acceptable forms of female participation in the workforce.
Nightingale was a prodigious and versatile writer. In her lifetime much of her published work was concerned with spreading medical knowledge. Some of her tracts were written in simple English so they could easily be understood by those with poor literary skills. She also helped popularise the graphical presentation of statistical data. Much of her writing, including her extensive work on religion and mysticism, has only been published posthumously.
"

HELLLOOOOOOO NURSE!!

Nurse Jackie

Nurse Barbie

Bought my Scrubs! : D

 I got my pink scrubs set last week at Susie's Deals! Im truly excited! : D I bought a dark pink set and then I got a light pink shirt on sale. There was no dressing room so I had to try it on in the back of the store sorta over my clothes but manage to get the right sizes. :)

So here's whats happening so far:
 1) Tuesday, I have a interview with the hospital about volunteering 1-2 times a week while my daughter is in school.                                              

2) I checked  and social services can cover my CNA Training Classes I just need to setup a meeting with my employment counselor about doing the training. 

3) I emailed a lady back about helping her elderly mother a few hours a week to get the experience and make a little bit of money.

Basically before I move forward with anything, I want to wait until my interview with the hospital, because I do want to complete 100 hours with them as a priority.

I will also need to see about a sitter for my daughter for two weeks while I do my training and clinicals as a CNA.

The goal is to work a couple of days a week while my daughter is at school in a hospice or a home for people with disabilities.

Im kind of nervous because this is a different direction for me since working from home the last two years as a housekeeper & pet sitter.

Hire Me!

Well, this weekend I have been applying for Caregiver jobs and seeking financial aid to become a CNA.

I already got a call back on one, but that is for in home care and I would like to do group home care for seniors and/or people with disabilities, idk.

Im in need of a job that fits around my schedule as well, which after reading the jobs that are available it seems that they do have those to fit my needs.

Even though they do idk if they would let me bring my daughter to work during the summer. But anything is possible right?

My definite goal right now is to get my CNA training for March though, then I will have more options available to me as a CNA. The class I plan on attending is going up from $295 to $325 on March 1st. Plus I need scrubs, BP cuff and stethoscope.

I still need to take my CPR/First Aid and possibly Phlebotomy class etc to make me a bigger asset in the healthcare field.

Healthcare Jobs on the Rise

Image compliments of Top Masters in Healthcare Degrees

Job as a Caregiver

I decided as of today that I will get a part time job as a caregiver to do while my daughter is in school. I am looking at different jobs on Craigslist, KSL, Backpage, etc.

I have already updated my resume as a house and pet sitter. I need a job that is very flexible with my schedule with my daughter and my CNA training and CPR/First Aid/etc classes and Volunteering. Still waiting to hear from the hospital about volunteering.

I sometimes forget there are so many opportunities out there that dont pertain to business.  

I am going to put out into the universe I want a part time job as a caregiver with a flexible shift around my schedule and in a group home for those who are seniors or with disabilities.

First Step

So, I have been googling CNA classes and found the place I wanted to attend. The Challenge is getting the money together & having someone watch L while I am in class for 3 weeks. So, I am waiting until my tax refund and going to see if my daughter's friend can watch her after school for 3 weeks, if not I will find another alternative method. So it will be a month or so before I actually take the class. But I promised my daughter, who has been in daycare for years when I worked full time outside the house that I will not put her in daycare ever again.

So, in the meantime, yesterday I had filled out paperwork to volunteer at the hospital where I actually stayed at during my emergency appendicitis removal. Now I am waiting to hear from them about doing the interview. They require at least 100 hours of service within a year, minimum one day a week, a 4 hour day. Which I am def capable and willing to do. I put one day but I was thinking of making it two days a week since my daughter will be out of school in the summer for 3 months. I have been looking at getting scrubs or seeing if my mom still had hers since she worked in the medical field as well.

I am also looking at taking CPR/First Aid classes as well. I found one at that same hospital. There are online classes, but trying to take online college a few years back, I know I am def better in a classroom setting and I want to get out and talk to people as well.

I have also revised my resume to include what I have been doing the last two years since I quit my employment with UPS. Im more anxiously awaiting to add new education and volunteer work to my resume. 

So keep yall updated! : D

Intro

Me

Hello yall, my name is Jackie. I am single work at home mom, with a 10 year old tween girl and currently reside in Utah. My previous career in the corporate world was Preferred Customer Service for UPS for 6 years. Overall 8+ years in inbound and outbound customer service altogether.

All my life, since I turned 18 dream was to work at home as an Entrepreneur, all my life I said daily to myself I will retire from the outside workforce by the time when I was 30. 2 months before my 30th birthday, that dream came true :) and ended my two weeks at my job on March 23rd 2012.

Now I am sure you are wondering, well thats great but what does that have to do with Nursing? Good Question! :D At the end of February 2012, I ended up in the hospital in an emergency situation to have appendicitis removed. I was in the hospital for a few days, I had nurses in and out and different docs checking on me. But when the CNAs & Nurses came in, I was just in awe of their job and KNEW that this customer service career I despised and did not think of it as a career at all and hated it (even though I was good at it and made good money). I KNEW at that moment, that is something I wanted to do.

But the thing was, I was able to quit my job and work at home and did, so I didnt really pursue it because my first dream had already came true. Now, 2 years later, I still see myself wanting to become a CNA and work part-time in an old folks home or with people who have disabilities as that is the goal, but possibly the ultimate goal is to become an actual RN.

Now I never in my WILDEST dreams thought I would want to pursue a career in the healthcare field as anything, I just for some reason thought that wasnt for me and that I was above that. Im not lol and it is something I happen to really want to do and get excited over. : D Crazy how life works huh?

So this blog I am going to talk about my adventures in getting into this field and what I am doing to get there. I am also seeking out anything related to nursing online as I am excited about the field! I was even more excited when I found pink nurse items like stethoscopes and such lol!

Now I bet yall are wondering well I thought you wanted to be a business person and AS Hannah Montana would say "You Get the Best of Both Worlds" ;) is the only thing that pops into my head when I think about the two lol! 

Trust me the last few days I have been digging deep within myself and a little scared about this new move of mine but I welcome the change! 

Here are some related posts to my career change on my main blog (not in order):
Jackie, what do you do for a living?
Nurse Jackie?
HELLO Nurse Jackie!
Welcome to the ER
From Corporate Customer Service to Temp Worker?! Huh?
A Day in the life of a Customer Service agent

So thank you for following me on my journey to become a Nurse :) Much Appreciated! <3