How to Wash Your Hands Properly

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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and tour of the hospital and my 2nd tb test (idk why I need another, the lab didnt know when I had to get more blood withdrawn so she told me to ask my head nurse in HR).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…

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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