After a really bad day I had the most exciting thing happen. In my travels today I saw a poster for free CNA training. Needless to say I beat feet over to the place on the poster. I spoke with the LOL there and am now enrolled in the class. I just have on hurdle to get over but I am thinking it will not be that big of a hurdle. I have to take a test to get in the program. I asked about the clinicals, the tb test, the BG check and the test fees and was told it is all covered. Schweet. I can't believe I am on my way to becoming an RN:D:)
cougarnurse wrote:Sounds pretty cool to me! Good luck, and keep us posted.
'Cat'
Ok here is an update. I took the test on Thursday and passed so i am officially in. Start classes in 2 weeks. Have to meet with the instructor this coming week so he can go over what the class is about and what the expectations are. I also found out I am going to be the only male in the class. I guess I can start getting used to being the minority gender. This coming from a prior life mechanic in a predominately male field. I just can't wait to finally start down the road to my RN.
Some advice for you and your classmates: learn the proper body mechanics for lifting, and DON'T let them have YOU do all the heavy lufting when you ARE officially an aide. I have aides who shamelessly 'use' the guys by asking them to do all the lifting.
Sounds like things are really moving along now. I'm really happy for you. Interesting that you're the only male in the class. Even though men are still the minority species in healthcare, I'm seeing more than ever especially coming in through the CNA field. As you pointed out, it's good to get acclimated to the gender ratio but I'll bet that you will be one of several when you start in the workforce.
Ricu wrote:Sounds like things are really moving along now. I'm really happy for you. Interesting that you're the only male in the class. Even though men are still the minority species in healthcare, I'm seeing more than ever especially coming in through the CNA field. As you pointed out, it's good to get acclimated to the gender ratio but I'll bet that you will be one of several when you start in the workforce.
Keep smilin'
R
I'm kinda of hopeing that I am not the only one on th floor but if so of well.
Another update; I had a meeting with my instructor today. Went over what the course entails. It was basically an interview. I wish I would have known that before hand. Oh well. We start on the 4th of Sept. I can't wait. He also confirmed that i will be the only male in the class. Should be interesting that.
And.....? Not overwhelmed, are you? I doubt it. Think of it as the first step on your journey, my friend. As you continue on, you will see how everything ties into everything else.
Well almost a week into it and everything is going great. Now after all the anticipation of waiting for it to get under way I now find I am anticipating graduating. I can't wait to get on the floor and start putting what i am learning into practice and also sucking all the knowledge out of the brains of all the other CNA's and RN's on the floor.
We finished the course today and start the second portion on the 3rd. But due to a snafu with the school my background check is held up which if it does not come in time I will not be able to attend the course on the third. If that happens I will not be able to attend until the next class which will be held in November. But due to financial and personal concerns that is at this time out of the question and will have to put off finishing indefinitely. I do have a job lined up in the event that I am unable to attend the class on the third but it involves extensive travel and will not allow for finishing. I am so happy and at the same time so bummed.
Well another update is in order. Everything is worked out and I start tomorrow. I now have a brand spankin new white (did I say white?) set of scrubs. So I am ready. Man this has been one hoop after the other to jump thru. But so far it has been worth it. I guess I am being tested to see if this is really what I want. I am still here and going forward so to all the doubters out there, You aint stoppin me now!!
Well I have 3 days of CNA class left. We graduate on Friday. We are in the middle of our hands on week. The floor I am working on has a great caring and supportive staff. They help out us students by answering any questions we have. Our instructors are the best. Well I am kicking myself in the behind for not doing this sooner. To say I love it is an understatement. I am having so much fun working with the residents. I feel like I have come home. I know now that I will retire from the Nursing profession. My goal is to become an RN-BSN. I am just so amazed at how much I like what I am doing and know that progressing up the ranks of Nursing it will only get better. I will post more this Friday after we graduate.
Well I am now officially a Nursing Assistant. I am so happy. I can now start to do what I love. One more only a few more steps to go till I am an RN-BSN. The first of which is adding a C to the NA.
I graduated last Friday and have this week been putting in applications.
I am so frustrated now. I have decided that I will nolonger be pursuing a nursing career. I have had one interview which I felt went good. But today was told that the position was filled. I have applied to all facilities in a 25 mile radius of my home. Out of all those I only had one interview the rest tell me they have no positions available even though they have adds out that they are hiring. I have spoken to many of my classmates and to a one they have all been hired. I am the only one who has yet to be hired. I give up and have an interview this afternoon with a manufacturing company for a maintenance position and if I am offered the job I plan on taking it. I love what I did in school and really would like to work in the nursing field but the reality of the matter is that I need a job and now am in the position that I must take the first job offered. Oh well I should have known with my luck that what I want I never get. Thanks for all the kind words I have received. I am just so ticked off right now.
I graduated last Friday and have this week been putting in applications.
I am so frustrated now. I have decided that I will nolonger be pursuing a nursing career. I have had one interview which I felt went good. But today was told that the position was filled. I have applied to all facilities in a 25 mile radius of my home. Out of all those I only had one interview the rest tell me they have no positions available even though they have adds out that they are hiring. I have spoken to many of my classmates and to a one they have all been hired. I am the only one who has yet to be hired. I give up and have an interview this afternoon with a manufacturing company for a maintenance position and if I am offered the job I plan on taking it. I love what I did in school and really would like to work in the nursing field but the reality of the matter is that I need a job and now am in the position that I must take the first job offered. Oh well I should have known with my luck that what I want I never get. Thanks for all the kind words I have received. I am just so ticked off right now.
Hey Backpacker,
What a bummer! It does sound like you have rotton luck with timing anyway. Take the maintenance position for income but please don't throw away the time and effort that you invested. Keep current applications on file and regularly call places that you see yourself working in. You have shown such amazing enthusiasm for a career in nursing that I can't imagine you being happy doing anything else. Keep at it and you WILL get nursing asssistant position.
What a bummer! It does sound like you have rotton luck with timing anyway. Take the maintenance position for income but please don't throw away the time and effort that you invested. Keep current applications on file and regularly call places that you see yourself working in. You have shown such amazing enthusiasm for a career in nursing that I can't imagine you being happy doing anything else. Keep at it and you WILL get nursing asssistant position.
I'm in your corner.
R
cougarnurse wrote:Facilities out where I live often run ads for future calls. Often they do that, as they are contemplating 'letting someone go'.
It is a shame that you have come this far and had this happen. You mention facilities. Have you tried Home Health?
The maint position I am taking is a traveling position. I will be traveling all over the world to clients facilities. I have to sign a 2 year contract with them. Therefore my nursing career is over before it even got off the ground.
The adds I am speaking about have been in the paper and on the net for well over a month and I am still told that they are not hiring. One of my classmates turned down a position at one of these facilities before I applied and another classmate had an interview after I applied and was offered a position. Yes I have applied at all the home health providers as well to no avail.
I have decided that I am no longer going to pursue nursing and just stick with what I can get for employment. I called today and gave up my slot in the BSN program at PSU. Hopefully it will go to someone who can get employed.
bakpakr wrote:The maint position I am taking is a traveling position. I will be traveling all over the world to clients facilities. I have to sign a 2 year contract with them. Therefore my nursing career is over before it even got off the ground.
The adds I am speaking about have been in the paper and on the net for well over a month and I am still told that they are not hiring. One of my classmates turned down a position at one of these facilities before I applied and another classmate had an interview after I applied and was offered a position. Yes I have applied at all the home health providers as well to no avail.
I have decided that I am no longer going to pursue nursing and just stick with what I can get for employment. I called today and gave up my slot in the BSN program at PSU. Hopefully it will go to someone who can get employed.
Well friend, you do what you have to do. Things happen for a reason and maybe you were meant to do this traveling for two years. A seed has been planted in you and something might come of it. You got kicked around at the start and if you are meant to become a nurse, it will happen. Leaving it for awhile will help you sort that out. Enjoy your journey and if you think of it, touch base with us once in awhile and let us know how things are going.
I can't believe you are giving up on nursing. There are many ways to become a nurse.
I'm a paramedic. It took me 20 years to become a paramedic. (the army was not conducive to becoming one) then it took me a year to get work as a paramedic mainly due to issues with my school and my new state. Right now I'm working thru my nursing pre-reqs for the "accelerated paramedic to ADN" program. I and my partner at work have done ALL pre-reqs online. Its going to take 3 yes total to get thru the accelerated program while still working my 24on 48 hour off work schedule. I wiped azz in the ER. For 8 months prior to this job. It was a hard pill to swallow. After 20 years in the army. 15 of which were as a supervisor. At my work 50% of us are working and doing the nursing school thing. As are several ER techs at the local hosp. If I were you I would consider going the ADN Route. No need to jump right in to the BSN. You can do a bsn online while you are working as a nurse. What state are you in ?? Florida is hurting for nurses/CNAs/ all the local hospitals are expanding. Good luck and don't give up the dream. Also I would look at my resume and interviews to see what I'm missing that employers are looking for. I would emphasize my non medical work experience as demonstrating my well roundedness. Sell yourself!!! Consider applying to a temp agency. Good luck!!
after reading the whole story, i guess the reason why you are refused by those facilities might be your GENDER!!!
if you are willing to work in some other areas, i am sure you could find a nurse job, there must be some special hospitals/positions welcomes male nurse more.
frankshaft wrote:after reading the whole story, i guess the reason why you are refused by those facilities might be your GENDER!!!
if you are willing to work in some other areas, i am sure you could find a nurse job, there must be some special hospitals/positions welcomes male nurse more.
Hey Frank,
Have you had trouble getting nursing positions because of being male? If so, would you tell us in what type of facility or what area of specialty? I suppose there may still be areas in nursing where men may have trouble but my sense is that it's pretty rare now. If a nurse with a clean work record and no criminal history has trouble getting hired, my guess is that inexperience would be the leading cause.
I think Backpacker had trouble because he was inexperienced and the facilities he applied to were probably hiring only experienced staff. Conversely, CNA/LNAs of either gender especially nursing students readily get jobs so it was surprising.
I felt bad for him because his enthusiasm was high and he seemed very focused. It's possible too that there were things about him that he didn't disclose to us.
frankshaft wrote:after reading the whole story, i guess the reason why you are refused by those facilities might be your GENDER!!!
if you are willing to work in some other areas, i am sure you could find a nurse job, there must be some special hospitals/positions welcomes male nurse more.
Hey BakPakr,
Listen if you r still on-line with us, this is an all too real case cenario you r experiencing it took me quite a while to find a job as a Nurse in this area (Northern Michigan) same story as you, adds looking for help only to be told "The position is filled" or "We are not hiring now" ETT ALL...Then they hire one of my classmates. Talk about being P'd off not once,twice, or thrice but 50 or 60 times. I actualy went to Florida to work for a while and was about to move the family down to be with me when I finaly got a hit and an interview from a application I had put in locally (20ish miles from home) (beats 2,000 miles) they were the first to actualy call my refrences, at the interview one of my instructors was braught up somehow and my interviewer asked if it would be OK for her to call said instructor, I of course said YES (One of those HARDBALL instructors we all fear, (Loe and behold my interviewer had this person on speed dial. while I sat in the office she called and mentioned me, (speaker phone) it scared me when the first thing said was "YOU ARE GOING TO HIRE HIM! IF YOU DON'T YOUR A FOOL."
I then turned several shades of pink and had to swallow a very hard LUMP that was creaping up into the back of my mouth. This was one of the people who was (I thaught) way too hard on ME in school. Talk about a humbling experience.
This is an example of how hard it is for US (men) to get into this field. (NO OFFENCE LADIES) Some of the WOMEN out there are just too insecure to let a man into the field they see as belonging to them.
Please reconcider going to school to finnish what you started. If you don't then the INSECURE ONES have wone a battle we (MALE-NURSES) can not afford to lose.
BTW I used to be an industrial equipment mech myself, everything from sawmills to bull-dozers and excavators awa everything inbetwean.
KEEP UP THE FIGHT. For the sake of the future of nursing as a whole and who knows, someday you may just be the one doing the hiring and can help some poor sap avoid the trouble WE have had getting into this field.
Well I didn't give up. I am still so frustrated at not being hired by a facility here. I was able find work in home heath. I currently care for a great 81 yr old man. The job does not pay squat ($9.25hr) but it us a job and I hope it will lead to something better. I know it will I have faith. Still my goal is to become an RN-BSN. It was suggested that I try working for a hospital. I did but the hospitals want you to have a year of experience. I have not fully fleshed out my route to my BSN. I am thinking of getting my LPN then bridging up to my BSN via ADN. I did find out that one of the DON's that I interviewed with for a CNA position really REALLY wanted to hire me. Was told she went to bat big time to hire me but the administrator shot her down. I feel it was either my gender or age they would not give me a concrete reason. Man was I peeved but the way I look at it their loss not mine. I think I am doing a good job because the man I care for now on my 3rd shift with him I was scheduled the over night shift (9p-9a) solo so I must be doing something right. I just can't wait till I can tack RN behind my name. Now to just find funding for the school hehe. The company I work for has no tuition reimbursement or anything to help with school. Oh well there are loans and scholarships and grants. But I am still here plugging away.
bakpakr wrote:Well I didn't give up. I am still so frustrated at not being hired by a facility here. I was able find work in home heath. I currently care for a great 81 yr old man. The job does not pay squat ($9.25hr) but it us a job and I hope it will lead to something better. I know it will I have faith. Still my goal is to become an RN-BSN. It was suggested that I try working for a hospital. I did but the hospitals want you to have a year of experience. I have not fully fleshed out my route to my BSN. I am thinking of getting my LPN then bridging up to my BSN via ADN. I did find out that one of the DON's that I interviewed with for a CNA position really REALLY wanted to hire me. Was told she went to bat big time to hire me but the administrator shot her down. I feel it was either my gender or age they would not give me a concrete reason. Man was I peeved but the way I look at it their loss not mine. I think I am doing a good job because the man I care for now on my 3rd shift with him I was scheduled the over night shift (9p-9a) solo so I must be doing something right. I just can't wait till I can tack RN behind my name. Now to just find funding for the school hehe. The company I work for has no tuition reimbursement or anything to help with school. Oh well there are loans and scholarships and grants. But I am still here plugging away.
THANK YOU very, very much!!! It is so cool to know that your faith, and determination has given you the strength to continue working towards your goals in health care. Your time right now as a CNA in home health is invaluable, too. Don't take for granted the clinical skills your gaining now.
Please, don't let your age, or gender be a barrier to reaching your goal of BSN. It is okay for others to be mistaken as long as you NEVER lose faith in yourself. ;)
bakpakr wrote:Well I didn't give up. I am still so frustrated at not being hired by a facility here. I was able find work in home heath. I currently care for a great 81 yr old man. The job does not pay squat ($9.25hr) but it us a job and I hope it will lead to something better. I know it will I have faith. Still my goal is to become an RN-BSN. It was suggested that I try working for a hospital. I did but the hospitals want you to have a year of experience. I have not fully fleshed out my route to my BSN. I am thinking of getting my LPN then bridging up to my BSN via ADN. I did find out that one of the DON's that I interviewed with for a CNA position really REALLY wanted to hire me. Was told she went to bat big time to hire me but the administrator shot her down. I feel it was either my gender or age they would not give me a concrete reason. Man was I peeved but the way I look at it their loss not mine. I think I am doing a good job because the man I care for now on my 3rd shift with him I was scheduled the over night shift (9p-9a) solo so I must be doing something right. I just can't wait till I can tack RN behind my name. Now to just find funding for the school hehe. The company I work for has no tuition reimbursement or anything to help with school. Oh well there are loans and scholarships and grants. But I am still here plugging away.
Backpacker,
Dude!! You're still there! I'm really glad that you're sticking it out. It sounds like you're dong a great job with your patient too. Word of mouth travels fast in the homecare setting so you will find yourself in demand very soon. Please keep your "eyes on the prize" because it will pay off.
A quick update. Still werking Home Health. Still loving it. My guy that i care for was transported to the hospital on Sunday night. for a fractured femur in the same leg he had a hip replacement done. Caused by a fall in the bathroom while a CNA was transferring him off the toilet. I am that CNA's replacement. So under the contract that the family has with the company I work for we still provide round the clock care while in the hospital. How do you all feel about home health providers providing care to a patient while in the hospital? I do not want to step on the staffs toes but still provide great care to my guy. I spoke to the staff who were on last night and the seemed really receptive to us being there.
I also have a second interview with a facility here in town. :35:
Wish me luck guys.
Now I may come on here as you all have seen and rant a rave due to my frustration. I know I have said I am giving up nursing. But my makeup will not allow that, no matter how many times I say I am. With each hurdle I encounter and overcome I get so much more excited about my chosen career path. I find myself with each interview just gushing to the interviewer over how much I love nursing. I think it may be a put off to some but I find I can't control it. I get so excited about nursing everytime I talk about it. Thanks everyone for allowing me to rant and rave at times. I will keep you all posted as I progress down my path to becoming an RN.
I understand the feelings....trust me! I've been a nurse for 20 years, and 'get on my horse'. 'The Boss' understands, too, which is another reason why he has the Rubber Room: for when we REALLY need to vent. :p Regardless, you know we'll always support you. :)
bakpakr wrote:A quick update. Still werking Home Health. Still loving it. My guy that i care for was transported to the hospital on Sunday night. for a fractured femur in the same leg he had a hip replacement done. Caused by a fall in the bathroom while a CNA was transferring him off the toilet. I am that CNA's replacement. So under the contract that the family has with the company I work for we still provide round the clock care while in the hospital. How do you all feel about home health providers providing care to a patient while in the hospital? I do not want to step on the staffs toes but still provide great care to my guy. I spoke to the staff who were on last night and the seemed really receptive to us being there.
I also have a second interview with a facility here in town. :35:
Wish me luck guys.
Now I may come on here as you all have seen and rant a rave due to my frustration. I know I have said I am giving up nursing. But my makeup will not allow that, no matter how many times I say I am. With each hurdle I encounter and overcome I get so much more excited about my chosen career path. I find myself with each interview just gushing to the interviewer over how much I love nursing. I think it may be a put off to some but I find I can't control it. I get so excited about nursing everytime I talk about it. Thanks everyone for allowing me to rant and rave at times. I will keep you all posted as I progress down my path to becoming an RN.
It has been my past experience that hospital staff are usually receptive to outside healthcare staff assisting with patient care. Especially, with high nurse to patient ratios.
Cougarnurse made an excellent suggestion to remember the sites rubber room. Anyway, stay with us... we love ya like a brother.
Thanks for all the support I REALLY appreciate it.
I think I may be setting myself up for some major heart ache in the future. See as it stands now after I graduate and pass my NCLEX RN my plan is to work in either NICU or peds. I really love kids and want to be there to help them. But I foresee many days of having my heart ripped out. Also many days of immeasurable joy and elation as well. I hope that when I do my clinicals and get to actually work with kids I can get a feel for how I handle it. Only then will I make the final decision.
My second interview went well just waiting to see if I get hired. I hope I do it is a great facility and the icing on the cake is that they offer tuition assistance and scholarships. I made sure that they are aware of my plans to further my nursing career. I feel from the reception of me telling them my plans that they liked my becoming an RN.
Now for something that struck me as strange. Last night my guys incision was seeping pretty bad but nothing out of the ordinary. (1 day post op) What struck me as weird is that I got a bit woozy when the dressing was removed. That never happened to me before. I just chalked it up to the fact that I had worked 10 hours at that point with out a good meal just snacking up till then. OH well it isn't a deal breaker at all. I know there will be times and things that will get to me. For those that do I will just have to desensitize to what gets to me.
Well another update is in order for the continuing saga of my life as a CNA. Good news this time though!! I sent my resume out to a number of local facilities again. Got a call and an interview. Went to the interview then nothing for a week. Then out of the blue they call me in for a second interview. Then three days after the interview they offered me a position. WOOHOO. I start my first shift this Saturday. I am so stoked. Thanks for all the support.
bakpakr wrote:Well another update is in order for the continuing saga of my life as a CNA. Good news this time though!! I sent my resume out to a number of local facilities again. Got a call and an interview. Went to the interview then nothing for a week. Then out of the blue they call me in for a second interview. Then three days after the interview they offered me a position. WOOHOO. I start my first shift this Saturday. I am so stoked. Thanks for all the support.
Great news! Your persistence has paid off. Just keep the smile on your face and focus on your patients. Institutional attitude can be negative sometimes. Keep us posted.
R
BTW- I've worked in pediatric and neonatal units. It can very much be a bittersweet experience.
bakpakr wrote:Well another update is in order for the continuing saga of my life as a CNA. Good news this time though!! I sent my resume out to a number of local facilities again. Got a call and an interview. Went to the interview then nothing for a week. Then out of the blue they call me in for a second interview. Then three days after the interview they offered me a position. WOOHOO. I start my first shift this Saturday. I am so stoked. Thanks for all the support.
Great to see things are looking up for you and you decided to stay with it these trials are going to make us better at what we do. the pain we endure today will only serve to make us stronger.
