Chapter 21
Life Skills Training
GOALS
After reading this chapter, you will have the information needed to:
- Do a job search.
- Fill out a job application.
- Design a resumé.
- Interview effectively.
- Prioritize your work time.
- Use critical thinking skills.
- Demonstrate how to cope with stress and anger.
Key Terms
Scenario: Betty, nervous yet prepared for her interview, arrives 30 minutes early, reviews tough questions over tea, and realizes she’s practiced answers—she can approach the interview with confidence.
Looking for a Job and Getting a Job
Your training equips you to be a nurse assistant; some remain CNAs for years, some pursue nursing, others pivot fields. Whatever you choose, you’re transitioning from student to applicant to employee.
Transition — From Student to Applicant
Identify the right job for you: What type of job? Where (acute care, skilled nursing, office, clinic)? Which shift (day/evening/night)? What fits you best? How will you get it?
The Job Search
Where to look: newspaper ads, direct employer contact, Yellow Pages, school career centers, Internet, library, new business openings; also job hotlines, bulletin boards, unemployment offices, personal business cards, job fairs, internships/volunteering, job shadowing, trade journals, chambers of commerce, hidden job market, community colleges, employment agencies.
When to look: More openings often appear in June–July than in December.
How to read job ads: Know common abbreviations.
Ad. — Advertisement
Apps. — Applications
Asst. — Assistant
Avail. — Available
BA — Bachelor of Arts
Ben. — Benefits
BS — Bachelor of Science
CNA — Certified nursing assistant
Co. — Company
Cust. — Customer
EOE — Equal opportunity employer
Exp. — Experience
Flex. — Flexible
FT — Full‑time
HHA — Home health aide
HS — High school
Immed. — Immediate
Mo. — Month
Non Smkg — Nonsmoking
OT — Overtime
PC — Personal computer
Pos — Positions
PT — Part‑time
P/U — Pick up
Pref. — Preferred
Ref. — References
Req’d — Required
Sal. — Salary
Sec’y — Secretary
SRV — Service
Tel. — Telephone
WPM — Words per minute
Yr — Year
K — Thousand
- RECEPTIONIST: Ad agency seeks F/T entry‑level; PC experience a must; BA helpful; Fax (310) 555‑1222.
- NURSING CNA: All shifts; student apps accepted; early mornings; must be avail. Tues–Sat; paid wkly; (818) 555‑9299.
- NURSE ASSISTANT: FT; M‑F nights; Sal $15/hr; good ben.; Exp. pref.; (319) 666‑5555.
- PART‑TIME DRIVER: Floral deliveries; good DMV record; car insur. required; $10/hr to start; multi‑tasking; O.T. avail.; call Mr. Fred Potter (818) 555‑0000.
- MEDICAL ASST.: Immediate FT/PT; pleasant & motivated; Span. spkg pref’d; M‑F 40 hrs/wk; No tel. calls; résumé/apply in person: Dr. Robert Jones, Attn: Lucy Smith, 111 Walnut St., Pasadena.
The Effective Application
- Be honest; highlight transferable skills.
- Be neat (type if possible); complete every field; first impressions matter.
Designing Your Résumé
Keep it brief (≤2 pages). Formats vary (chronological vs. skills‑based). Typical order: contact info → job objective → education → experience (or skills) → certifications → community/volunteer line.
- Objective: “Offering excellent skills in resident care and communications; seeking CNA position.”
- Education: Pre‑certification Nurse Assistant Program; Home Health Aide Program (dates).
- Skills: Bilingual; accurate vital signs; resident assessment; conscientious; punctual; honest.
- Certifications: CNA; HHA; BLS‑CPR. References upon request.
Interviewing for the Job
- Dress professionally; stay calm; smile.
- Beforehand: know the documents needed; who will interview you; format (single, panel, serial).
- Practice common questions (past experience; why CNA; why this facility; 5‑year goals).
- Eye contact
- Voice
- Facial expressions
- Mannerisms/posture
- Dress/grooming
- Goal‑orientation
- Responses to questions
- Describing strengths/skills
- Knowledge of company/job
Night before: prepare clothes, organize paperwork, sleep well. Day of: arrive 15 minutes early; phone off; manners count; firm handshake; listen; keep answers brief; ask for clarification if needed; thank interviewer; follow up with a note/call within 1–2 days.
Transition — From Applicant to Employee
Accepting a job: ask about pay, benefits, hours, start date, attire, supervisor. Prepare uniforms; be mentally ready to work hard and enjoy the role.
Orientation
Complete personnel forms (W‑2, emergency contact), review policies, locate emergency equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers). Federal/state laws mandate orientation hours.
Understanding Expectations
Employer Expectations
- Arrive on time; call ≥2 hours ahead if absent.
- Breaks only when assigned; ensure residents safe; inform supervisor/teammates; return on time.
- Report to supervisor at end of shift; clock your own time.
- Follow directions; ask if unsure; complete tasks or report barriers.
- Document actions: “If it isn’t documented, it wasn’t done.”
- Honesty, loyalty, teamwork.
Employee Expectations
- Orientation; adequate staffing; mentoring; breaks/meals.
- Duties within job description; safe environment; notice of shift/assignment changes.
- Employee handbook; positive environment; emergency procedures explained.
Probationary Period
Often 90 days up to a year (or none in some states/facilities). Supervisor evaluates performance; decision to continue or terminate follows.
Teamwork
Follow your preceptor/mentor; learn facility “personality.”
Managing Your Time
- Plan daily; prioritize; have backup plans (esp. childcare); arrive 15 minutes early.
- Record appointments; check messages; reliable alarm and transportation.
- Maintain monthly calendar at work/home; share chores; set routines; batch bill‑pay; shop weekly with ongoing lists.
18 items including: arrive early; daily objectives; task list; break big jobs down; avoid procrastination; finish same‑day work; evaluate time leaks; limit phone time; learn from efficient coworkers; group tasks; listen carefully; set & stick to deadlines.
Certification Renewal
Keep CNA certification current: proof of work; in‑service/CE; renewal fee; application; follow submission directions. Plan ahead.
Surviving the Job
Using Critical Thinking (5 Steps)
- Identify the problem.
- List alternatives.
- List pros/cons for each.
- Decide on a solution.
- Evaluate the outcome.
Workplace Conduct
Immediate termination offenses (report and document): violence or threats, resident abuse, sexual harassment, weapons/illegal drugs, intoxication, theft.
Professionalism: treat all with dignity/respect; strong interpersonal skills; resolve conflicts.
Creating a “Win‑Win”
Address conflict directly but non‑threateningly (“When you talk to me like that, I feel… it’s hard to work with you”). Use chain of command if unresolved; once resolved, let it go.
Coping with Stress
- Know and set limits; say no when needed; stay within scope; identify responsibilities.
- Sleep 6–8 hours; eat well; take personal time; exercise; organize time; keep humor.
Signs of stress: muscle tension, crying, headache, raised voice, stomachache, anger, eating/sleep changes, palpitations, inability to focus.
Understanding & Managing Anger
Anger is a normal fight‑or‑flight response (hormonal surge; rapid heart rate/breathing). Causes: physical conditions (pain, illness, fatigue), learned behaviors, environmental loss of control.
- Don’t take it personally; look for causes/clues; rule out infection/injury.
- Talk calmly; sit and keep eye level; give space; avoid touch if very angry; stop task and allow cool‑down; ask for help.
When Is School Over?
Learning is lifelong—expect on‑the‑job training (OJT), new skills and evolving science. Some CNAs advance to other roles; others find fulfillment as CNAs. Whatever your path, stay current and keep growing.
What’s the Best Reward?
Moments of gratitude from those you serve—“Thank you. You made it easier.”—are the great rewards of this work.