what do CNA's do in a hospital?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hello everyone.... I was thinking about trying for a job at a hospital(I'm in fl.)and was wondering what do CNA's really do?Does it depened on the floor?The hospital that is hiring has MED/SURG and MED/ONCOLOGY.It is also hiring for things I have no clue what it is .Like OB SCURB TECH/CNA and TELEMETRY.If anyone can tell me what and how to do any of these things i'm sure it will help me decide on what to do. Thank you!!:wink2:

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I work in a hospital. I do House Float, which means I float between the Psyc/Behavioral Health Unit, Medical, Surgical, Telemetry, PACU and ED/ER. I was skeptical of being hired as a float, but I absolutely love it now. My job duties depend heavily on which unit I'm floated to that day. Pulling foley cath's, pulling saline locks, doing blood sugars are just a few job duties that differ from a LTC facility setting. In the ED/ER we have numerous job duties that differ from the PACU, it all depends on the unit.

At my hospital the Telemetry floor is also called "Cardiology" we admitt lots of observation patients with chest pain.

I strongly suggest workiing at a hospital if given the opportunity. I have learned so much from working around different atmosphere's, doctors and specialized nursing staff. I hope this helps.

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Forgot to mention the pay is higher in hospital setting. I work 1500-2330 shift and make $13.20/hr.

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I work in a hospital. I do House Float, which means I float between the Psyc/Behavioral Health Unit, Medical, Surgical, Telemetry, PACU and ED/ER. I was skeptical of being hired as a float, but I absolutely love it now. My job duties depend heavily on which unit I'm floated to that day. Pulling foley cath's, pulling saline locks, doing blood sugars are just a few job duties that differ from a LTC facility setting. In the ED/ER we have numerous job duties that differ from the PACU, it all depends on the unit.

At my hospital the Telemetry floor is also called "Cardiology" we admitt lots of observation patients with chest pain.

I strongly suggest workiing at a hospital if given the opportunity. I have learned so much from working around different atmosphere's, doctors and specialized nursing staff. I hope this helps.

Thanks for the tips.I guess it does depend on what floor I'm on.I'm going to try for them all,what ever I end up with I guess will be my floor.I really hope they show me the ropes.Not to sure on somethings.My class was only 5 weeks long and we spent 4 reading the book.Well I guess if they want me they'll tell me what to do.Thanks again for the tips....
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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I work on the surgical unit at my hospital. As techs we put in and remove foleys, remove IV's, do EKG's, draw blood, vitals, daily care, put in and remove NG tubes........ I also have my ACLS so I can do some things in a code

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Specializes in Psych, substance abuse, MR-DD.

I work on a medical respiratory floor and we do ADL's, POC's (blood sugar testing), insert and remove foleys, straight caths, dc iv's, blood draws with training, vitals, hang tube feeds, and simple (or sometimes complex- depends on how much you know and who the nurse is) dressing changes, ambulating in the hall, repositioning, answering call lights, mouth care, trach care, assist feeds, and stuff like that.

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Specializes in ED/MED-SURG.
I work on a medical respiratory floor and we do ADL's, POC's (blood sugar testing), insert and remove foleys, straight caths, dc iv's, blood draws with training, vitals, hang tube feeds, and simple (or sometimes complex- depends on how much you know and who the nurse is) dressing changes, ambulating in the hall, repositioning, answering call lights, mouth care, trach care, assist feeds, and stuff like that.

Lets be frank I have been a tech for 5 years and am a nursing student as well pretty much as a tech YOU DO EVERYTHING!

What do the nurses do? In my hospital THEY MANAGE, push the meds, make the calls. They practically do NOTHING hands on with the patients nothing!

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Hi everyone

I am currently a full time LPN student but am looking towards working as a part time CNA to pay bills while in school. I really need either a weekend or evening CNA prep class. Does anyone have any suggestions ?

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I'm a CNA student right now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that we (CNA's) were NOT allowed to insert/remove foleys???

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Hi everyone

I am currently a full time LPN student but am looking towards working as a part time CNA to pay bills while in school. I really need either a weekend or evening CNA prep class. Does anyone have any suggestions ?

Hey Cantwait.....try the Red Cross. I don't know where you're located, but the Red Cross here in Tampa Bay area offers classes at night starting at 6pm. Call your local chapter..I just completed the day class and the nursing homes and hospitals are pining for CNAs trained at the Red Cross. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Looking at: ER-Trauma-CC.
I'm a CNA student right now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that we (CNA's) were NOT allowed to insert/remove foleys???

Perhaps it depends on the state? I'm a tech/nursing student and as long as I've had the skill in class or lab, the nurse's have me do it. Granted, the hospital I work at is "OUR" hospital (literally 3 blocks from the college).

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Hospitalhca - (and others) - do you have any advice for a new CNA floater?

I just accepted a job as a floater (don't yet know what units I will be floating to). It takes me awhile to orient to a new place, faces, and names (that worries me a little!!)

By the way, your comments make me feel especially excited about the work! --Thanks for sharing!

I work in a hospital. I do House Float, which means I float between the Psyc/Behavioral Health Unit, Medical, Surgical, Telemetry, PACU and ED/ER. I was skeptical of being hired as a float, but I absolutely love it now. My job duties depend heavily on which unit I'm floated to that day. Pulling foley cath's, pulling saline locks, doing blood sugars are just a few job duties that differ from a LTC facility setting. In the ED/ER we have numerous job duties that differ from the PACU, it all depends on the unit.

At my hospital the Telemetry floor is also called "Cardiology" we admitt lots of observation patients with chest pain.

I strongly suggest workiing at a hospital if given the opportunity. I have learned so much from working around different atmosphere's, doctors and specialized nursing staff. I hope this helps.

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