Activity Director

[gulfcoastgal 0]

Hi Everyone! I am another newbee to this wonderful website. My name is Pam Fisher and I live in Englewood, Fl. Currently, I am working at an nursing home/

rehab center as a CNA. I heard about an opportunity to take the Professional

Activity Director's course about a month ago.

 

A little background about what I do. I have worked as a CNA in a couple of nursing homes and AlF's here and in Arkansas. I am currently working with a "Starlight Program". It is designed for Alt/Dementia residents who are at risk

for falling or elopement. I have signed up for the course starting in Jan. 2005 and it lasts until June. I have offered to work in our activity department off and on to get some more experience for the future.

 

My question is this...what did you guys do while working as a CNA...did you look

for a assistant's job and quit as an CNA...or what? I just don't want to "goof-up"and do the wrong thing right now.

 

I would appreciate any and all comments/ideas about what to do and I really

think this website is really what I was looking for!!

 

Pam Fisher

[Stacy 0]

I never worked as a CNA, but I have 3 staff members who are CNA's. One of them has been full time in my department for over 10 years. She's very glad she made the switch. The other 2 work part time with me, and part time with Nursing. That way if they don't like Activities, they can go back to nursing.

 

Stacy

[Crysty 0]

I worked as a CNA first and then was asked to be an Act. Asst, then moved up to Director. When I first took an interest in activities some years back, I worked both, that way as Stacy said if it turned out to be something you did not want to do, you could fall back on nursing. Also, even though I don't work the floor anymore, I keep my CNA cert. up to date, because you never know what could happen.