Swans?

[Born 2 B In OB]

I plan on going to nursing school in the fall, but trying to get some clinical experience now. I've decided the CNA route may be right for me and interviewed for CNA training at a local hospital. However, the interviewer brought up swan training as well, but did not elaborate. So, my questions: What duties do they have, are they paid more than CNAs, what additional training, if any, do they go through, do you recommend this route, etc.

Thanks for your comments!!

[Zee_RN, BSN, RN]

Ummm...I have no idea what "swan training" may be...The only kind of "swan" i know in nursing is a Swan-Ganz catheter for hemodynamic monitoring in ICU. Sorry, I cannot be of any help. I will watch with interest for any replies you get tho 'cause now I'm curious as to what 'swan training' is.

[MollyJ]

Uhmmm... can only conjecture. May refer to walking on water what with the state of nursing these days ;-)

[Born 2 B In OB]

I still don't know what a "swan" is - besides the beautiful, long-necked bird and I'm definitely sure I'm not going to train for that...

I'll let you know what a swan is if/when I find out what it is. Thanks for trying - and the humor.

[Jenny P]

I'm not sure what "swan training" is; but could your hospital have aides who assist with hemodynamic line placement and the equipment necessary to monitor Swan-Ganz catheters (which are used for PA-pulmonary artery pressures), arterial lines and CVPs and/or other indwelling monitoring lines and catheters? If this is what the interviewer was talking about, it could be very interesting for you to do. I have no idea what type of salary they may earn; but it would open up a whole different field of nursing than you are currently considering (if I'm reading your username right).

[moonshadeau, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP, CNS]

Swan-Ganz catheters used in CCU settings like everyone else is the only thing that comes to mind. Just an andectodal story when I read about swans. I had an instructor that threw fits if you called it "swans". It was said that it is only one catheter and never pleural. She said she once worked in a hospital that a resident ended up putting two swans in and they tangled up inside. So never,ever say swans or some silly person might not actually know that only one is supposed to be in at a time.

[Born 2 B In OB]

Cute story, Moonshadeau! I'll have to remember that! As for the swan job, I still don't know what it is, but I do know that it is unrelated to Swan-Ganz catheters.