After CNA Training – Home Health Aide

As a former Certified Nursing Assistant, I’m very aware that your CNA training, regardless of how much you pay and how thorough they claim to be, can only teach you so much. While CNA training may prepare you to recognize life threatening situations, teach CPR, infant CPR, the way to safely move a patient, and even how to prevent bed sores, there are many emotional situations you may run into that your CNA training instructor simply didn’t cover. Here is one real life situation I’ve run into over the course of my career. Although I had a wonderful instructor, my CNA training didn’t help me to face the following.

After CNA Training – The Patient in Denial

Sometimes, as a home health aide, you may run into the patient whose health begins to rapidly decline, but you can’t convince them of that fact. After my CNA training, I worked in a home for the developmentally disabled of all ages but then decided to take a position as a home health aide. The two positions couldn’t have been further from each other. They actually had nothing in common. At the facility I worked according to a schedule and routine, patients knew what to expect, and there was always a charge nurse or floor nurse to help with difficult situations. As a home health aide I had a patient who was an absolute joy to work with. Suddenly, after a bout with the flu, she became unable to stand or walk to the toilet. It just happened one day. She was determined, at that point, to sit in her chair in the living room and live out her days as if nothing was wrong. Unable to use a bedpan from a recliner, she simply decided that using the chair was an option. Greatly distressed, I spoke to my supervisor and also the patient’s daughter (who was the adult in charge of her). Read the rest of this entry »

Financial Help for Your CNA Training

Looking for help with your CNA training? If you’re confused about which financial assistance will be most beneficial for CNA training, you’ve come to the right place. Many students don’t understand the difference between student loans and student grants, so often make the wrong decision when looking to earn their nursing assistant certification. Hands down, the best way to fund your CNA training is through a government grant. Here’s the details.

Funding for Your CNA Training Through Government Grants

Want the quick and easy definition of a government grant? It’s basically free money provided to aspiring students who meet a certain set of criteria. Part of the criteria includes income, parent’s income, whether or not your parent’s graduated from college, your current living situation, your dependents, and whether or not you are married. Basically, the closer to poverty level you are living, the greater your chances are of being approved for a government grant. Once you apply and are approved, the school of your choice will be awarded the grant money and you will receive whatever is left over. Yes, you heard that right. The most you can receive from a grant is $5,500 (this is the latest information from 2012). If you are awarded a full grant and don’t need all of it to pay for your classes and books, you will receive a check for the remainder. You can use the leftover money for whatever you’d like. Often, students purchase laptops or transportation with their extra money. Read the rest of this entry »

Are You Cut Out for CNA Training?

If you are wondering what to expect from CNA training, and, even more importantly, whether or not you’ve got what it takes to make it through CNA training, you’ve come to the right place. Many individuals wishing to enter the health care field are apprehensive. Here’s a breakdown of your CNA training so you’ll be better equipped to decide whether or not this is the career for you.

What to Expect From CNA Training

Don’t worry, being a bit nervous is a psychological sign of the importance of this decision, along with a bit of fear of the unknown. Most seasoned professional CNA’s who look back on their beginnings can attest to the fact that they were nervous as well. Okay, here’s the list:

The Breakdown of Your CNA Training and Certification Read the rest of this entry »

Career After CNA Training

Depending on what type of facility you are employed with after CNA training, you may or may not be automatically offered raises at certain, predetermined time periods. Yes, it’s true. Some smaller companies still rely on the, “We can probably pay our staff less if they have to come and request their raises themselves.” It’s sort of an outdated tactic at saving money on staff, but since it’s still being practiced, we’re going to help you get around it today. We’ll give you the tips you’ll need to not only ask for a raise in your new career after CNA training, but GET the raise you ask for.

After CNA Training: How to Ask for a Raise

Before you stress yourself out at the thought of asking for a raise, let’s break this topic down. First of all, as we mentioned, the companies who do not offer raises at regular time periods or employee milestones are usually doing so intentionally. Just think of the psychology. If you owned a nursing home or medical facility and had to implement a plan for your staff which included hiring, training, firing, and benefits, don’t you think you’d consider the fact that you had to plan for hourly wages and increases in pay? Yes, you would. With that said, we assure you that the companies that make you, the CNA, make the first move, are doing so intentionally. But, there’s good news. You can get the raise you deserve, even if it’s not automatically offered to you. Read the rest of this entry »

Issues After CNA Training

After CNA training you are no doubt ready for your new career as a caring, efficient nursing assistant. One of the topics your CNA training may not have prepared you for is nursing home neglect. What are the early signs of neglect? What should you do if neglect or abuse are occurring at your place of employment? Who do you call?

You may not have learned this in your CNA training, but the following information will help you recognize nursing home neglect and abuse and also advise you on the best course of action to take.

After CNA Training – Recognizing Nursing Home Abuse on the Job

Often nursing home neglect isn’t considered as horrific as nursing home abuse, but neither should be tolerated. Nursing home residents who cannot care for themselves have a right to loving and proper care.  All patients have a right to the following: Read the rest of this entry »

Student Loans for CNA Training

Okay, here’s the scenario; you’ve just discovered that CNA training starts next month and you need to get the tuition together. You’ve wanted to complete CNA training, earn your certification and start your new career but now you’re afraid you’ll have to wait until the next session on the CNA training schedule. Not so fast. Before you give up hope, here’s some information on student loans that may be music to your ears.

Best Places to Get a Student Loan Fast to Pay for Your CNA Training

If you’re looking for a quick student loan, you won’t be able to go through government programs, since they all have deadlines and take several weeks to approve.  There are a few private agencies that provide student loans. As always beware of fraudulent companies or anyone who wants you to pay a fee for possible loan approval.

We’ve provided a list of agencies and institutions that provide student loans for CNA training, but please be sure to check them out for yourself. We offer no guarantee, real or implied that any of the agencies listed below will keep the promises they make on their websites.

Agencies and Institutions Offering Student Loans for CNA Training Read the rest of this entry »

One of the most difficult subjects you’ll have to deal with, and one of the things that no amount of CNA training can truly prepare you for, is the death of a patient. There are two branches of dying and death you’ll learn about, each one connected to the type of facility you are employed with. Each has its pros and cons. Let’s take a look:

CNA Training – Death of a Long Term Care Patient

For CNAs employed in an adult facility or senior care center, the death of a patient can be especially traumatic. These are patients you’ve become familiar with. You know each one by name, you are aware of their eating habits, their likes and dislikes, you’ve had conversations with them, –some may even have become your trusted friends. CNA training teaches you the signs of a patient going through the last stages of their life, and the harsh realities of losing a resident. You’ll need to keep your emotions in check in order to deal with and comfort family members, as well as to properly chart the patient’s condition and to alert the nurse in charge when necessary. If you find yourself experiencing signs of depression, anxiety, or stress after the death of a patient, you’ll find that most adult care facilities have counselors on hand. Be sure to make use of this tool. As we noted, no amount of CNA training can fully prepare you for this experience and each person deals with death differently.

CNA Training – Death in a Hospital Setting Read the rest of this entry »

What If You Are Unfairly Treated After CNA Training?

I love real life stories of CNAs and their experiences after CNA training. You couldn’t make this stuff up. It’s wrong all the way around. So, bottom line, what if something like this happens to you after CNA training? First of all, call the Department of Labor immediately. You have rights as an employee and there is a process to termination that must be followed. Secondly, in this case, I would report this entire case to the State Board of Nursing. Since there were others who were terminated, possibly without just cause, there could be quite a case here. Third, I’d advise this person to get legal council right away. Often, attorney’s won’t take the case unless they feel they can win and they won’t take a dime of your money until the case has ended. At that point, they are paid through your settlement, so still, no money out of your pocket directly.

After CNA training, there are often strange or unfair employment situations that occur. Know your rights. That’s the best safeguard for your future after CNA training. For more information on CNA training and careers, we invite you to follow our blog.

We are your go to place for CNA training and career information.

CNA Training – The Right Choice for 2012

CNA Training, is it right for you? If you’ve been considering a career as a skilled nursing assistant, there’s good news for your future. It is one of the most popular and needed positions to be filled in 2012.Why? There’s a couple of reasons for the nursing shortage in the United States.

CNA Training and the Nursing Shortage

First of all, if you weren’t aware of the nursing shortage, there definitely is one. Actually, it was first documented in 2000 when the demand for nursing professionals far exceeded the supply. This was measured in nurse to patient ratios. Hospitals, understaffed, were giving more responsibilities to the few certified nursing assistants, registered nurses, and licensed practicing nurses they had on staff. This caused a marked increase of patients for every nurse. The end result (as documented over a decade, from 2000 – 2010) was less quality and much more stress for the nurses on staff. Now, that’s just on a national level. Globally, the World Health Organization has estimated the nursing shortage to be over 4 million nurses, physicians and other health care workers worldwide. What does this mean for you? Bottom line, if you are thinking of CNA training and starting a new career, there’s no time like now.

CNA Training – What About the Economy?

With the economy in the state that it is and the unemployment rate tipping the scales at 10-11% in some cities nationally, CNA training is definitely a smart choice. Why? When times get tough and the nation has to pull their purse strings and close their wallets, there are several industries that continue to thrive. The health care field is one of them. Also, with new waves of baby boomers reaching retirement age each day since January 1, 2011, there will be more seniors with health care coverage, more seniors visiting their family physicians, and more seniors eventually making their way to adult care facilities. For you, the health care worker who has successfully completed your CNA training and has become a certified nursing assistant, this means job security.

If you are currently in a dead end job or an industry that is failing, such as retail sales, printing, newspaper, or any industry that can be considered a luxury, you may want to rethink your career. Even if you complete your CNA training in your spare time and have it under your belt “just in case.” That’s a smart move. You should always have a plan B. Remember, it’s usually much easier to get a job while you already have one then it is to find one when you truly need one. Why? Because of the stress level you are experiencing when you are in the middle of financial turmoil. Most people have much more confidence when they don’t really need the job. They present themselves in interviews as cool, confident, and rational individuals. This is exactly what a prospective employer is looking for. If you wait to take your CNA training until after you’ve lost your job, everything will be stressful and you may even have a hard time studying.

Our advice to you? If you are considering CNA training, go ahead and do it. You can never have too much education and your CNA training will provide you with clear options and alternatives to your current career.

For more information on CNA training and careers, we invite you to follow our website.

Your CNA Training and Career

Whether you’ll be starting your very first career after CNA training, or switching to a new field after years of employment in a completely different industry, there’s always a certain amount of anxiety to be expected. You’re not alone. According to research studies reported by Psychology Magazine, the top 10 causes of stress in an individual’s life include the following:

1. Death in the family
2. Move to a new location
3. Financial problems
4. Divorce
5. Starting a new career
6. Losing a job
7. Getting married
8. An addition to the family
9. Serious illness or accident involving yourself or family member
10. Being demoted

As you can see, the list above is not only filled with tragedies that we would expect to be a source of stress, but it includes exciting and happy occasions as well. Getting married and having a baby (or adding to the family) rank right up there in the top ten with starting a new career. Okay, so you’re not alone, big deal, right? You still don’t want to deal with the anxiety, loss of sleep, and headaches that often come with fear. Let’s break it down and learn how to get through your CNA training with minimal fear, stress and anxiety.

Dealing With the Stress of CNA Training Read the rest of this entry »