Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   What is the difference between Nurse Aide and a Nurse Assistant?
   I want to attend school for the CNA I am relocating to a new area and I know with a medical certification it will be easier to find a job...Can someone please tell me the difference between a nurse aide and a nurse assistant i'm really confused

   • ANSWER:
     Nurses aide is where you can learn some of the training on the job. It is where you are like an orderly. A nurses assistant is where you have to go to school and to learn the skills that way. It is a little bit of a more advanced role, around the same as an LPN almost.

2. QUESTION:
   What percentage of nurse aides work in a nursing home?
   I'm a certified nurse aide, but would rather work in a hospital. I'd rather starve to death than working in the nursing home.

   • ANSWER:
     You have to be flexible...especially, in this type of economy!
     Hospitals are not hiring at this time until the economy is improving and people are gaining back their health insurance. But if this is your choice...then good luck to you!

3. QUESTION:
   How can a Nurse Aide defend themsleves against false allegations in a privately owned facility?
   This has always weighed heavily on me. Sitting back and just answering question just doesn't seem like a good enough defense for a nurse aide. Many times, the facility will cut ties to save face...or so the tales go...and I don't think this is right ESPECIALLY if you are innocent of any allegation. I don't want to instanly jump to my feet and cry 'attorney' so I'm hoping I might be able to find some answers here. Thanks.

   • ANSWER:
     This depends considerably on just what the allegations are, who is making them, and what policies, if any, have been invoked to deal with them. If you could post a few more specific details about what exactly is going on, we might be able to help you better.

     If someone has simply made a false claim to another staff member, then talking to the manager and setting the record straight might be enough. If more formal procedures have been invoked, then things might be a bit more complicated.

4. QUESTION:
   How do I change my Missouri certified nurse aide licenses to ILL certified nurse aide licenses?
   I have moved and I need to change my certified nurse aide licenses to IL can you help me?

   • ANSWER:
     you have to call the Illinois Department of Health and ask if your licensure is reciprocated in Illinois, if not, then you will have to recertify.

5. QUESTION:
   Is a certified nurse aide the same as a nursing assistant?
   It makes it hard to look for jobs when some places call it a Certified Nurse Aide, some it's called a Patient Care Tech, so is Nursing Assistant the same thing?
   Thanks that helped a ton!

   • ANSWER:
     Hello there,

     Certified Nursing Aid - CNA is the same as Patient Care Tech (PCT) which is the same as Nursing assistant (NA) Along with clinical partner! (CP)

     Ive worked in many hospitals and heard a name for each one, all the same thing.

     I hope this helped.
     Stephen

6. QUESTION:
   What is the difference between a nursing aide and a registered nurse?
   I always thought nursing aides did some of the more unpleasant work in health care (things that involve bodily fluids and such) and registered nurses did more patient care? But someone told me that registered nurses also have to deal with such things. Understandably vomit and such is unavoidable in a hospital, but RNs aren't the ones to clean it up are they?

   • ANSWER:
     Nursing Aides do things such as bed baths, change bed linens, help patients on bed pans or to the toilet, ect...Nurses do patient care, assessments, administer medications and treatments, teaching, ect...It doesn't mean being a nurse, you won't have to do an occasional bed bath or more often, bed pans, toileting, cleaning up messes, ect...

7. QUESTION:
   Should I become a nurses aide 1 before going to school for nursing?
   RCC(the school) is having a program to earn a nurse aide certification but is it better to take that course or just start nursing courses?

   • ANSWER:
     Taking a CNA course would give you a chance to get a glimpse of the nursing field before making a much larger commitment of nursing school. Many nursing schools are difficult to get into with several year waiting lists. They sometimes give preference to those with CNA's.

8. QUESTION:
   If you are registered as a Wisconsin Nurse Aide, can you use the certification in Illinois?
   I go to school in Milwaukee and live on campus for nursing and it is required that all nursing students are CNA certified, so I did that. But the only problem is that I live in Illinois and I was wondering if you are Wisconsin nurse aide certified if you can use it in Illinois?

   • ANSWER:
     Check out #5 http://www.idph.state.il.us/nar/cnafacts.htm

9. QUESTION:
   How long does it take to receive your certified nurses aide certificate in NY?
   I just found out that I passed the NY State nurses aide exam.(YAY!) But no one seems to know how long it takes to get your certificate from the state.

   • ANSWER:
     Good question. The handbook doesn't say when you can expect the certificate but six weeks in pretty standard.

     You should be able to use the letter you've received to show potential employers.

     Congratulations!!!!!!!!

10. QUESTION:
    Can nursing students work as nurses aides without being certified?
    I'm hopefully starting nursing school this fall, but I haven't had any nurses aid training. Will I be able to get a job as a nurses aide or do I have to be certified?
    I live in Ohio if that helps. I don't know if the state laws are different.

    • ANSWER:
      Some hospitals allow you to get hired on as an Patient Care Tech (PCT) after a certain amount of Nursing School. (It all very from hospital to hospital. Alot of times its after you have finished your pre regs and have started the Nursing class.) I am in my second year of my RN and I work in the ER and we have a few that went that route, I was already an EMT so I didnt need any time as a Nursing studant. As a PCT I do everything the nurses dont want to do. LOL But I love it, you learn the basics from the nurses and I have learned far more then the rest in my class. I insert Foley Caths, Wound dressing/cleaning, Patient Rounding, Triage Pts at front desk, EKG's, Lab draws, monitor tech, lab ordering, and so much more. I would suggest it to everyone. Hope this helps and if you have anymore questions please feel free to email me.

11. QUESTION:
    iam a direct care staff in a nursing home but i want to become a CNA Certified nurse aide. How?
    iam a direct care staff in a nursing home but i want to become a CNA Certified nurse aide. Then i want to become a LPN. How do i become a CNA after iam a direct care staff person?? Please help i live in pa..

    • ANSWER:
      I would try looking into your local community college for a CNA class/program or look into nursing homes and see if they offer any classes. I am also from PA. I know of a nursing home that offers a 2-week CNA training course and then offers you a F/T job upon successful completion of their training course. So check out the websites for nursing homes or call them up and see if they offer anything like that.

12. QUESTION:
    Where can I take classes to become a Restorative Nurse Aide in Huntsville, Al?
    I am currently working as a CNA and won't be starting school until January to continue my nursing. I want to take classes to become a Restorative Nurse Aide so I have more experience as I continue school for my RN. Big step but I can do it! But need answers soon so I can start on it asap thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      You can find a listing of training prgrams at www.4cnas.com

13. QUESTION:
    Does any one know of a free or affordable nurse aide training program?
    I am looking for a nurse aide training program and cant seem to fine one. I know Cincinnati State has one but there program is about 800 dollars or more. I need something less expensive, or preferably free. Thanks In advance for any information you can provide

    • ANSWER:
      If you are willing to work in another dept. (i.e. Dietary, Housekeeping, Laundry) in a skilled nursing facility many time Long term/ rehab. nursing facilities will pay for employees to take the CNA course as long as the person works for them a certain amount of time after they finish their CNA training program. Stop at or call some nursing facilities and talk to the facility HR Director and ask. CNA's are in high demand, especially if you are good at it. Don't forget that you WILL have to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as a nurse assistant. Most facilities offer shift/weekend differentials for working "off" shifts. Good Luck!

14. QUESTION:
    what training do i need to become a nursing aide?
    i want to apply to a nursing home for nursing aide. but im still in high school. Do i have to graduate from high school or do i just need to be 18. my moms friend told me to just apply for nursing aide and they give me the training. its just a part time job for the summer and maybe during school.

    • ANSWER:
      To be a CNA you'll have to take about a six week class. No big deal. Good luck

15. QUESTION:
    Iam a direct care staff in a nursing home but i want to become a CNA Certified nurse aide. How?
    Iam a direct care staff in a nursing home but i want to become a CNA Certified nurse aide. How?
    iam a direct care staff in a nursing home but i want to become a CNA Certified nurse aide. Then i want to become a LPN. How do i become a CNA after iam a direct care staff person?? Please help i live in pa..

    • ANSWER:
      Hi, if you take a look at this website (very helpful and full of information about cna stuff) then hopefully you will find the answer that you are looking for there, http://www.cnaboard.com/category/useful-cna-information
      That link is to a section with plenty of useful cna info that may provide you with some extra information and some answers, there are also other sections which you should look at to see if one of those sections can help you out.

16. QUESTION:
    What steps do you have to take to become a certified nurses aide with a criminal conviction in Texas?
    13 years ago I was convicted of a class b misdemeanor I know u have to submit a declatory order to be a lvn/rn but what about nurses aide? Is there something I need to do before testing for nurses aide? Please help!!!!

    • ANSWER:
      really depends on what it was for

17. QUESTION:
    If I start off as a NURSING AIDE, is it possible to be come a NR w/o taking the board exam?
    I was told that if someone first start off as a NURSING AIDE, and then pursue a diploma program, he/she can become a nurse without taking the NR exam. Is it ture?

    • ANSWER:
      Hi!
      Yes, it's possible but you'll work at one of the facility that doesn't require a Certified Nursing Assitant Certificate. They call us caregivers'. Their are other agencies you can work at: In home support services.

18. QUESTION:
    What does a nurses aide do with math long division?
    LIke how would a nurses aide on a shift use long divison math?
    Fliud intake? urine output?weight ? like how would thay use long divison as a aide ?i know the R.N. uses long divison and other math for iv drips and thay estmate the person weight to give Emergency drugs .but how does an aide use it?

    • ANSWER:
      No not at all if you do you can lose your cna you can be charge with a felony

19. QUESTION:
    Anyone know how to become a certified nurses aide?
    I live in NY, and I'm trying to find a course to take so I can become a certified nurses aide. I start nursing school in august at the local University, but i want to be certified so I can start working in hospitals now. Anyone know a place to get training/certification around Buffalo, NY?

    • ANSWER:
      absolutely, click on nursing assistant at PureMedicalJobs.com

20. QUESTION:
    If a persons TB test is positive but its not active will he not be allowed to start his Certfied Nursing Aide ?
    My Fiance starts Certified Nursing Aide Classes on Nov 10th however, his TB test came back positive. My question: If He does not have TB but test is positive will he be allowed to start his Nursing Aide classes?

    • ANSWER:
      If he is just a carrier or TB or it is not active he will be fine, and can start classes.

21. QUESTION:
    Are there any state tested nurses aides outh there? How long have you been doing it and how do you like it?
    I have been a state tested nurses aide for about 8 years now, and I was just wondering how many other nurses aides are out there and how long have you been doing aide work and do you still enjoy it. What have you seen change in the course of your aide carreer?

    • ANSWER:
      I have been an Aide for the past three and a half years. Personally, I enjoy caring for people. Being caring is a gift from the heart. I have enjoyed my job for the most part. The nursing home I worked at had a fun working environment, and that made my work even more appealing.
      However, my fiance and I had to relocate to another city, and sadly, I left my job. I'm now working at another nursing home in a new city and unfortunately their level of care overall is a bit below my expectations. Whereas I'm used to a lower ratio of aide to patient, this one has a higher ratio and that means less personal one on one care, it seems a bit disorganised, half the time, supplies are missing, the laundry does not supply much needed linen on time and and sadly its sanitory standard are below par (in my opinion).
      I've found myself re-evaluating my profession. If I can't participate in my profession, giving the best care I can, in a good, clean, sanitory environment, I would rather not participate at all. I love caring for people but I also hate seeing people suffer knowing I cannot do anything to better their pain.
      So, I guess in the course of my aide career, I have realised that there are good nursing homes willing to make sure their patients are taken care of, and there are those that want to make money but spend less on amenities needed to care for their patients.

      I still believe aides are of great value to the nursing profession. Hats off to all Aides!!

      For support, chatting etc., got to http://www.NursingAssistantCentral.com

22. QUESTION:
    I want to became a nursing aide, where can I find a course in Phillipines?
    I want to became a nursing aide,where can I find a course in the Philippines.

    • ANSWER:
      http://www.ipsl.org/programs/philippines.html

23. QUESTION:
    Where can I get information on nurse aide scope of practice laws in wisconsin?
    I am a nurse aide in wisconsin, at a hospital were can I find information on what a nurse aide can and cannot do in the state of wisconsin?

    • ANSWER:
      This may be what you're looking for.

      http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/caregiver/natd/NATDregs.htm

24. QUESTION:
    I am a nurse aide, searching for other places than nursing homes to work at.?
    I am 19 & a licensed nurse aide and I'm wondering what other places a nurse aide can work at other than a nursing home? .
    I'm also considering doing office/desk work. What is also a good job doing that without needing too much experience or degree?

    • ANSWER:
      Certified Nursing Assistants can work in hospitals and home care agencies(which require a car for travel). Most require at least 1 year of experience.
      A Medical Assistant works in a clinic or doctor's office and doesn't need a lot of formal education but does require certification.

25. QUESTION:
    Can you still work as an nurse's aide when you have spinal stenosis?
    I have been a nurse's aides for years and I have been told that I have spinal stenosis. I am going to graduate for Database Design in one year, so I will not have to work as a nurse aide after that. Will I be able to work as a nurse aide for one more year without severe pain?

    • ANSWER:
      I would guess that it depends on your present symptomology and current job demands. Some nurses aides end up just doing simple thing, yet others end up in physically demanding work.

      I would also say the symptoms you are presently experiencing would determine you ability to continue at work. The present worker's compensation system recommends work as therapeutic, so as long as you are able to continue at work, you should do so.

26. QUESTION:
    What Tasks Do Certified Nurse Aides Have In Hospitals?
    I am 16/F and a Senior in High School. I just recently became a Certified Nurse Aide. My question is, what do CNA's do at hospitals, because i would rather work at a hospital, than a nursing home. Elderly people are too much work so i would rather work with the general public. BTW PLEASE DO NOT ANSWER IF YOU DON'T KNOW. THANKS.

    • ANSWER:
      Make beds, clean bedpans, anything else that nobody else wants to do.

27. QUESTION:
    I am willing to work as nursing aide in Australia, can i work there?I took my nursing board exam last june2008
    I took my Nurse Licensure Examination last june 2008. i am still waiting for the results with postive outlook at it. For now, i want to work as a nursing aide or caregiver in Australia, can you please direct me to where i am going to register and file an application for Australia? Thank You!

    • ANSWER:
      As we don't have Nursing Aides in Australia anymore the closest thing would be a PCA or Personal Care Attendant.
      These are Certificate 111 Aged Care workers and ONLY work in Aged Care.

      I am assuming you are American?

      If you come to Australia to work as a PCA you DO NOT HAVE TO REGISTER as ONLY Nurse's who hold full qualifications need to register.
      At the moment PCA are NOT considered Nusre's and so therefore need not register in their respective working State.

      As you don't need to register all you need to do is directly apply for a PCA position at any Nursing Home that you wish to work at.
      There is a massive chance you will get a job as there is a massive shortage of ALL Health Care workers.

      As a PCA you can also work for Agencies to work in private homes.

28. QUESTION:
    What is the difference in CMT & nurses aide?
    I have been looking for a job in helping with taking care of people in hospital or nursing home. I've heard of nurses aides & @ the hospital they are called CMT's or Certified Medical Tech's. Just wondering what the difference was.

    • ANSWER:
      Well my guess is a CMT is the same as a CMA which is a certified medical assistant. You have to get certified for both but, medical assistants or techs are able to give medication where nurse aides which I have been are only able to do vitals and basic care on patients. Hope this helps you.

29. QUESTION:
    what do nurses aides long divison math in there work?
    How does a nurses aide used long divison math?

    • ANSWER:
      The same way that a 5th grader does long division. I dislike calculators because people who have punched in the wrong numbers insist that they are right because that is the number on the calculator screen. They rarely check to see if the number makes any sense. I have had a student tell me that a 24 ft ladder can reach 576 ft into the air.

30. QUESTION:
    I'm a nurse aide in a nursing home what am i doing wrong?
    I'm very quiet, reserved and timid. I have received alot of criticism from my new coworkers at work for this. I want to be a nurse so bad but i feel like a failure. My confidence is shot. I try to keep up with everything but find myself falling behind all the time because of the overload of work. What can i do to be the best nurse aide i can be in a nursing home and how do i be assertive? How can i build up confidence and not be a doormat for my coworkers and why are they so negative towards me? It makes me not even want to try

    • ANSWER:
      Well, sometimes it's the environment. A lot of people who have been in the system for a long time love to talk about each other behind their backs. It's probably a circle where people talk about them behind their backs and they talk about the other people. Try not to get involved in the drama and do your work as best as you can for the residents, not your coworkers.

      If you are also new, that is probably why you are slow. Honestly, nursing home aides are overworked. I cannot think how people can effectively take care of 10+ residents with all of their unique needs.

31. QUESTION:
    I am a Filipino, a graduate in Nursing. Is there anyone here looking for a babysitter or nursing aide?
    I am a Filipino and a fresh graduate in nursing, looking for a job in canada particularly in line with my profession. I'd like to become a nursing aide or babysitter. Anyone here would like to hire me. If you are interested i can send you my resume.

    • ANSWER:

32. QUESTION:
    how to report a nurse aide claiming to be RN in jail clinic?
    I work with a nurse aide in a jail that tells the inmates she is RN and even had an inmate die while she was doing sternum rubs on him. The nurse she works with walk out of the cell and left the room

    • ANSWER:
      Call the Board of Nursing in your State. They take a dim view of people like that.

33. QUESTION:
    What are the pros and cons to nursing aide/cna work?
    what is the good and bad for working as a nurse aide/cna at any type of setting (nursing home or hospital)?

    • ANSWER:
      As a retired nurse and former nurses aide I would say the pros's are obvious.

      Satisfaction knowing that you are making a difference in someone life.

      Opportunity to work in different settings,
      job security,
      flexible schedules,
      the ability to advance through education and knowledge.

      Cons of being a nurses aide:

      The old saying short staffed and over worked will hold true on many a day in nursing.
      Getting emotionally attached to your patients/residents....It will happen.
      Working weekends and holidays.

      It can be a rewarding career choice for the right type of person.

34. QUESTION:
    Is working as a Nurses Aide a good way to prepare for a career in respiratory therapy??
    i want to go into a healthcare field, but i dont know which one. im going to work as a nurses aide to see how i like it. can it help me prepare??
    whut about physical therapy??

    • ANSWER:
      It might not help but it can't hurt and will look good on your resume.

35. QUESTION:
    Sorry I want a practice exam to do on the computer for nurses aide?
    In my last question I wanted a practice exam for nurses aide. But I forgot to say I want it off the computer

    • ANSWER:
      Don't know where you would find one but don't stress. The written exam is mad easy. The practical exam is what trips people up. Just remember to wash your hands properly before and after. Good luck!

36. QUESTION:
    Where can i hire a nurse aide in canada?
    Hi everyone i would like some info i want to hire a nurse aide to change m'y adult diapers but i dont where to find one do i have to call the hospital or nursing home to have one come to me ????

    My area is around new brunswick canada by the way.

    • ANSWER:
      New Brunswick is a big place.

      Have you tried Kijiji?

      The hospital can help you as should your local VON.

37. QUESTION:
    How Would I Go From Being A Nurses Aide To Being A Nurse Or Even A Nurse Practitioner In New York State?
    I am getting my GED next month along with taking my course to become a nurses aide. How would I go about becoming a nurse? Would I have to go to college for this? Arent there some places that pay for your college also if i have to go?

    • ANSWER:
      If you want to be a nurse then you need more education. Best advice, finish the GED and then start shopping for schools. There are 3 roads to RN and they are:

      Diploma RN: these programs are offered by hospital-owned schools of nursing. These programs take 2.5-3years to complete. You will rotate within that hospital and those within its system. You will have a wealth of clinical experience and just enough academics to sit for your boards. In the end, you will be awarded a diploma.

      Associates Degree Nurse: offered by community colleges. Generally takes 3 years to complete. You must successfully complete all of the required, non-nursing courses prior to admission to the nursing program. The final year is all of your required nursing courses with clinicals. In the end, you will receive an Associate's of Applied Science (or your state's equivalent) and be eligible to sit for your boards. Also, you will be prepared to move onto a BSN if you choose with relative ease.

      Bachelor of Science: Nursing (BSN): offered by 4 year colleges, You will take all of your courses like a regular college student and graduate with a BSN at the end and be eligible to sit for your boards. Advantage here, you will be prepared for management positions and eligible to apply to Master's/Doctoral programs for CRNA, CRNP, DNP, DNSc and similar programs.

      Good Luck

38. QUESTION:
    When helping a client who is recovering from a stroke to walk, the nurse aide should assist?
    When helping a client who is
    recovering from a stroke to walk, the
    nurse aide should assist:
    (A) on the client’s strong side
    (B) on the client’s weak side
    (C) from behind the client
    (D) with a wheelchair

    • ANSWER:
      (E) Like a Drill Sergeant, yelling and screaming " You patethic piece of maggot chit, walk you worthless bag of bones". And use a hot poker from time to time, it's great motivation!

39. QUESTION:
    what can a nursing aide certificate get you?
    will it allow you to take an exam to become a cna or how does the nursing aide certificate benefit you, if at all?

    • ANSWER:
      Short answer: a job as a CNA

      In order to obtain a CNA certificate you must complete a CNA training program and sit for a state test. Once you have your certificate you can apply for jobs as a CNA in nursing homes/hospitals. The job doesn't pay very much (- starting depending on where you're located) but there are some nursing homes/hospitals that will pay for you to become an LPN or an RN.

      EDIT: it is also VERY physically demanding so if you're not willing to lift patients and wipe people's butts then it is probably not the job for you

40. QUESTION:
    Is there a big demand for Nursing Aides in Singapore?
    My wife is planning to move to Singapore and we are thinking that there might be no employers for nursing aides.

    • ANSWER:
      yes, there is a bid demand of nursing aides in singapore. KK Hospital is one of the popular hospital there. You can check their website.

41. QUESTION:
    can i hire a nurse to take care of mom in medicaid nursing home?
    My Mom is in a NY medicaid nursing home. She has late stage Alzheimer's. She is basically a vegetable, cannot move on her own, does not communicate. She has pressure sores. They are being treated, but I feel not good enough. Can I hire and pay for a nurse/aide (my own funds) to go to the nursing home everyday and make sure she is positioned every 2 hours and treat the three pressure sores she has?

    • ANSWER:
      You can hire anyone you want to help your mother, only limited by your funds and the person's scope of practice. An aide could cost you -15/hour and a nurse -50/hour. The nurse could do the wound care; an aide could not.

      You may find it more feasible to establish a relationship with the nursing home employees. Stop in at all hours of the day and evening; call at night. Make sure that each nurse taking care of her is monitoring the dressings when your mother is changed and repositioned. It is standard practice to monitor the dressings every shift and to turn her every two hours. Don't accept "We know to turn her" as the response.

      Also keep in mind that skin is an organ and like the rest of her organs, it is not in great shape. Pressure sores are not necessarily caused by lack of care but rather the generalized deterioration of the body from disease and old age. If you approach the staff in an accusatory and blaming manner, they will become defensive and not communicate with you out of fear of being reported.

42. QUESTION:
    Difference between working in a nursing home and working in a hospital?
    I currently work in the nursing home as a certified nurses aide and got a job at the hospital as a patient care technician. Whats the difference between both jobs? Also, is working at a hospital more diffifcult? thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      In my local area, CNA's mostly provide personal care, to include dressing, bathing, feeding, grooming, and taking routine vital signs on nursing home residents.

      In the hospital setting, PCTs are trained to do the above but also have some advanced training, which includes: applying cardiac monitors to patients, inserting foley catheters, drawing blood, starting IVs, obtaining EKGs. Also, in the hospital you get a real spread on ages, you might have everything from babies to geriatrics as patients.

43. QUESTION:
    Where can I get information on nurse aide scope of practice laws in wisconsin?
    I am a nurse aide in wisconsin, at a hospital were can I find information on what a nurse aide can and cannot do in the state of wisconsin

    • ANSWER:
      The site listed below should help.

44. QUESTION:
    How can I get an entry level nursing job?
    Although I have been in college for 3 years, they still consider me a 1st year nursing student because it is my first year of clinical rotations. I will be an LPN in August. I have not ever worked in healthcare before and have applied for numerous job opportunities with no results. I have applied for desk secretary, nurse aide, nurse tech, nurse aide trainee and nurse extern. I have a 3.0 GPA and have letters of recommendation from my current boss and clinical instructor. Why won't anybody call me back? Everyone keeps telling me how much great money I will be making but I am starting to wonder if anyone is going to hire me. I don't understand.

    • ANSWER:
      hi. ive been a nurse almost 20 yrs, i started as an LPN, and finally went back for my RN a few years later...
      there are so many places you can work as a nurse, dont limit yourself.
      one thing that you can do, since you are not licensed yet is try nursing homes, even as a nursing assistant you need to be certified, and some have their own cert/training program. however, as a dialysis nurse for many years in the state of florida, i know that you can work as a tech in dialysis without needing certification, this will give you good experience in the medical field, get your foot in the door, and youmay even like it as a NURSE. ( i sure do)
      just be persistent. and look good, and professional at your interviews!
      Good Luck to you in nursing....its truly the Lord's work you'll be doing.
      God Bless.

45. QUESTION:
    How long is a nursing program?
    I am 17 and currently enrolled in my high school. Due to being close to the community college, next year I will be taking 4 college classes and getting 3 credits per class. I already have 6 college credits from my sophmore year.

    I also am going to be taking a nursing class through the area career center. By summer of next year, I'll be 18 and a certified nurse assistant (nurse aide).
    By the time I graduate I should have the 18 college credits or a semester and a half of college done. I also will not need to take speech, psychology, or English in college because of these classes.

    I am wondering how long the nursing program to become a RN since I'll have my CNA before and 18 college credits. (1 1/2 semesters of college.)

    • ANSWER:
      Being a CNA will not give you anything toward becoming a RN in college. It may give you a point toward acceptance if you apply to a school that goes by a point system [never mind that].

      Look more into going for you LPN since that will apply toward your RN.

      A typical RN program in a community college is 2 years [4 semesters]. You can not complete it any faster. There are 4 main nursing blocks. Typically 10 credits each with clinics.

      Work towards your pre-reqs since that is what screws people up. A&P I & II , Micro, Dev. Psych, Algebra, Comp I and II. These being most of them. However there are other classes to take to get into these classes.

      Typically with all the pre-reqs and the nursing classes it takes 4 years in a community college. It takes 1 year to get your LPN though and you will make good money while going to school.

      That is the way I would do it if doing it over. ; ) Good Luck and stick with it. Don't listen to anyone else but yourself. You can do it : )

      Go for it.

46. QUESTION:
    Why in the Nursing profession are Aides looked down upon by the Registered Nurses and others in management?
    Nurses Aides are all part of nursing but are viewed as less than by some of the nurses. Why?

    • ANSWER:
      Before I answered this question I asked my wife(who has been a LPN for 15 years) a question.Are the CNA's (certified nursing assistants) the backbone of nursing?Her reply was yes! But there is a two part answer to this so bear with me....1)yes, they are the most important part of nursing because they are the ones that have constant contact with the patients and will notice things sooner than the LPN's or the RN's.Contrary to what some RN's or LPN's might write you it is a good team of CNA's that will make or break a nurse.And what it comes down to is how well that RN or LPN treats their CNA's.It's not much different in the work force that good employees make make a boss look good or bad.But also someone wrote about their pay and that is true too.With CNA's being the backbone they are the ones in the trenches getting there hands dirty(and we all know with what) and they are treating sadly they way they are for reason #2...it comes down to education.I said earlier that my wife has been an LPN for 15 years,well I can't tell you how many times she has heard the statement...RN stands for "real nurse" even one who has just gotten out of school.So there you have it...and thereal solution to the problem is for ALL nurses to realise how important the CNA's are not just a handfull.The best RN's you will find are exactly the ones who started as CNA's because they know what the road is like.

47. QUESTION:
    what is the difference between nursing and nursing aide?
    what is the difference between nursing and nursing aide?

    • ANSWER:
      Nursing assistants or aids do some basic patient care tasks, activities of daily living, such as feeding, bathing, toileting, changing linens, fetching needed items and filling water pitchers, taking vital signs. That is all they are qualified to do, because they are not nurses.

      Nurses (specifically Registered Nurses) are educated in the sciences - anatomy & physiology, disease pathology, psychology, sociology, etc. - and use this background knowledge to perform comprehensive patient assessments. They gather information about a patient's status and decide what is necessary to maintain the highest level of functioning possible for that individual. They create care plans, they take physician orders, they coordinate treatment with other disciplines like pharmacists, physical therapists, social workers, etc. They performed skilled cares like administration of medications of all forms, managing monitoring equipment and using other complex medical equipment like suction and drain tubes, etc They are required to do a lot of documentation.

48. QUESTION:
    Difference and Information Between Nurses Aide and CNA?
    Is there a difference between a nurses aide training program and a CNA training program? I'm looking to get my CNA and I found a local area that does the "nurses aide" training program. Are they the same thing? If not, how are they different? Also, does anyone know how difficult the CNA exam is?

    • ANSWER:
      No difference. Just another name for the same job. The exam isn't hard at all, just a lot of basic questions regarding OSHA and patient care. Trust me, its pretty easy if you know your basic stuff.
      

49. QUESTION:
    Where can I find free or very low cost home health care aide for my elderly mother?
    Two years ago I moved in with my 90 year old mother to care for her 24/7 She and I have both gone through our life savings and she is on a fixed income. I need a break badly, and do not know where to turn to get a nurse or nurses aide to come in for a couple hours every day, at no cost or low cost. I would appreciate any ideas
    Thank you for some great ideas, its a start.

    • ANSWER:
      If you are in the U.S., contact the local Area Agency on Aging,

      They offer some help, but not a whole lot for people in your situation.

      I am sorry that you have not gotten any help from anyone.

50. QUESTION:
    Is Cert IV in nursing (div 2 RN in Australia) enough to get a job in the USA as a RN?
    I'm currently doing carer work (nurse aide) and planning to work in the USA or Canada late 09 (hopefully) and wanted to do Cert 5 in Nursing (means I can be a div 2 RN in Australia, 1 year course) before I went there for better working choices. I was wondering if it would translate to the USA requirements or not..(I'm aware I'd need to sit the NCLEX)

    • ANSWER:
      OK, first I had to see what the heck your job description is in Australia as I'm not familiar with it there.
      Enrolled Nurse, Nurse - Division 2, Nurse - State Enrolled
      "Enrolled nurses, under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse, assist in the provision of preventative, curative and rehabilitative nursing care in hospitals, aged-care facilities, the community and other health care settings. Enrolled nurses are second level nurses who provide nursing care according to their level of training and the registering authority's licence to practise. They are a skilled and integral part of the nursing team. "
      http://www.myfuture.edu.au/services/default.asp?FunctionID=5050&ASCO=341111A

      Is what I found that seems to fit. Based on that description, you are NOT qualified as an RN in the US. That description sounds like either our CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) or possible an LPN/LVN (licensed vocational or practical nurse). The next level of nurse is the RN.

      You can read what is required here:
      http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm

      We DO need nurses (as does every country) so I am sure you could get hired at some level. You should be aware that virtually all of our nursing programs have waiting lists if you need additional education. This is not to discourage you, but shoot it to you straight so you don't make a serious error in what you're eligible to do.

      Good luck!