Under Construction - MHWA Retreat

Sorry about not being active in this group lately. I've been busy with a CNA course and helping with the new Rising Stars program.

I'm a little nervous, but excited about this new journey. I go to orientation Wednesday at a nursing and rehabilitation center down the street from me. It is one of the largest facilities in Austin. They hold up to one thousand patients and they are short-handed. This means, rather than the typical eight patients per CNA, I will have nineteen.

The facility is not only for elderly long term care. They also offer short term rehabilitation care. In addition, they have younger individuals there who are housed for long term care due to brain injuries, handicaps etc. I'm not sure where they will put me when I start. Preferably, I would like to work in the dementia ward, but of course, I will have to accept whatever they give me.

Basically what a CNA does is some of the things nurses don't want to have to deal with, and/or some things to lighten the nurse's load. I'll be helping those able to get into the shower. Those who can't, I will be giving bed baths and giving perineal care. Plus, I will be feeding clients, dressing clients, changing incontinence briefs, changing bedpans, taking feces and urine samples, taking blood pressure readings, cleaning catheters, changing colostomy bags, helping clients in and out of wheelchairs, etc. It is not for everyone, obviously.

After I have gotten used to the work and am comfortable in it, I will either go for my phlebotomy and medication aid certification or my nursing degree. I've decided to not pursue a degree in Psychology. Mostly because I am 43 already. Yes, I know you are never too old to get a degree, but honestly, I don't want to spend another five years in college working towards a Ph.D. and not be able to actually work in my profession until I'm almost fifty when I can do something I feel is rewarding, while making a great income in much less time.

Also, there is the whole job security thing. With nursing, I can always find a job, no matter where I move, especially in nursing homes. I can spend two years in school working towards an RN, then while I am working in my profession work towards higher degrees and specializations. Although, I might just stick with adding the medication aid and phlebotomy because those courses I pay cash for and are relatively reasonably priced, leaving me without any huge school loans to pay off.

My relationship is still going well and healthy. He actually paid for the CNA class. It is so wonderful having support in my life, who actually help me to grow as a person and move up toward my potential, rather than push me down. I feel very grateful and happy.

Oh, and my relationship with my oldest daughter is starting to heal. Of course, we are not talking regularly, but we communicate some now. Honestly, I'm alright with the emotional distance between her and I. I think she needed the space from me and I from her. It is partially an acceptance thing and a self-preservation thing on my part. None the less, I haven't been feeling hurt by it anymore and have actually enjoyed the lack of drama in my life.

Well, that is what has been going on in my life.





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