CNA's in the hospital setting

yousoldtheworld · Feb 14, 2011

It is similar in a lot of ways - you still assist where needed with bathing, toileting, dressing, feeding, etc. There are also generally a ton of call lights to answer. You might do more at a hospital - you might do blood sugars, ekgs, more vitals, etc.

A big difference is that you have a whoooole lot of different kinds of patients at a hospital. Depending on the unit you work on, you might have everything from completely oriented adults able to do everything for themselves to psych patients to alzheimers to babies. Because the patients change so often, work is different every day.

Many people prefer the hospital work.

A downside of hospital work is that it is very dependent on the census - I used to have a lot of trouble getting enough hours to pay my bills, because when the census was low, aides would get called and told not to come in. I know some people don't have this issue though, I think it just depends on your hospital! :)

GhostOfTheSun · Feb 15, 2011

I don't know what its like in a LTC setting, but in the hospital I work in it is VERY busy. At the most I'll have 8 patients (which isn't that bad). I have to get vitals 3x a day (sometimes more if they're getting a blood transfusion, chemo, etc), assist with toileting, bathing, changing linens, process new patients, escort patients out, and of course post mortem care.

I thought 12 hours would be a long time, but trust me....sometimes it seems its not enough. Atleast one of those 8 patients always end up requiring my undivided attention ALL day. Also I think I would prefer a LTC setting because you get to know your patients. You get to know your patients in a hospital setting too......but by the time you get all their quirks down the doctor sends them home and then you have another new patient to get to know.

Zalan · Feb 15, 2011

In my experience it is hard for a new CNA to get a job in a hospital. I worked as a Patient Care Tech for 6 months in a level 2 Trauma Center. I worked on a Orthopedic Unit, & I was not a cna. The things that got me hired was a work history of 11 years at one place. The second and maybe more important was that I stated I was going into a nursing program. Hospitals love SNIP(Student Nurses In Progress).

I`m not sayings its not possable to get on at hospital, but the odds are stacked against you.

lidleanjel · Feb 19, 2011

I have had my CNA for a little over a year and a half and only work 3rd shift. I had tried to get on the hospital for 6 months before I was able to get on, but it was because I knew someone on the same floor in which i currently work on.

My first job as a CNA was at the nursing home. even though the LTC is not something i 100% enjoyed, but i learned a LOT of stuff there which not everyone in the hospital setting is comfortable doing (such as changing quickly). I think you learn the most in the nursing home such as changing, transfering, and bathing patients. I loved the residents and their stories, but I wanted more and a faster pace job. I also had a hard time watching the deteriation of the residents.

once i got on at the hospital (work on surgical specialty unit), I loved my job even more. for me, I do vitals every 4 hours, answer call lights, help people to the bathroom, see all types of diseases and medical procedures, and work with all types of equipment (such as ng tubes, jp tubes), and of course do basic cleanup during down time. nights get crazy depending on what is going on, but some times vitals are taken multiple times related to post-operative measures or because blood is being administered. I love seeing patients get better and leave. you also get attached to the patients that continuously come back or the patients who are on comfort care. and love seeing the variety of age groups for 18-103. you also work with more health care providers including therapists and physicians.

I am also in nursing school working on my RN then going for my BSN. the hospital setting has really helped me with understanding and identify signs and symptoms, and I know what medical equipment is and orders consist of. the problem really is getting your foot in the hospital door. I do have friends that have been in the nursing program with me for a year now that are only trying to get a job at the hospital with no luck. i am not sure if it is because of 0 experience or if maybe the hospital is on a hiring freeze still or just not looking for help which i have a hard time believing.

I still would never change my decision on working at a nursing home though. I think it help me realize how important it is to take your time with each individual patient and too learn how to handle different types of nursing home patients such as dementia or just grumpy older generations or the loving grandma that you wish you could take home with you.

no matter where you go though, there will be days that stress you out, make you laugh, make you cry, or make you love your job. I love the medical field and helping people.

kool-aide, RN · Feb 20, 2011

I started work at my hospital right out of CNA class. I love it here. In a hospital you do SO much more and learn SO much more than you do in LTC. If you're going to go to nursing school, a hospital is the place you need to be to get awesome experience! I'm going to rock the socks off of nursing school clinicals because I've got great experience and knowledge from my job!

nurse2b013 · Feb 21, 2011

Thank you for the info everyone! I am going to school to become an RN, so at some point I want to work in the hospital setting as a CNA. Not sure if I'll get hired at one right away, but in the meantime I have had an offer from the LTCF where I did my clinicals to work there.