What can CNA's do besides.....

RNfromMN, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2006

I had a terrifying fear of working in nursing homes when I became a CNA...still do, actually. And I was under the impression back then that hospital jobs for CNAs were very hard to come by. I ended up getting a job at facility for severely mentally retarded/developmentally disabled residents. It was a lot of "dirty work," but I absolutely loved it.

Sounds like that's what you're trying to avoid, though. You might be able to come by a job @ a hospital just working with newborns...I think they're pretty rare, though.

AricaE8707 · Dec 10, 2006

ok thanks...I was wondering like if i could find a childrens hopsital or care center I could work in with children. Id much rather clean up after kids lol. My teacher is a nurse at a Physciatric Ward...is that dangerous?

augigi, CNS · Dec 10, 2006

Depends where you are, and what the facilities near you hire. Many acute facilities use CNAs. Check in your area, or ask the CNA school where their graduates are currently working.

sissyboo · Dec 10, 2006

CNAs can work in hospitals, but the work is about the same as the nursing home : "dirty work", VS, I&O... However if you were a receptionist you may lose your CNA license since you are not actually using CNA skills in that job. At our local hospital we have unit secretarys who are often times CNAs as well. They do alot of paperwork, answer the phone... but when a CNA calls in or the unit is full (too much for one CNA to handle) the unit secretary (as long as they're also a CNA) takes on patient care as well as their normal "desk job." I hope this might come in handy!

nurse4theplanet, RN · Dec 10, 2006

CNAs are an important part of the healthcare team in the hospital setting. If LTC is not your thing, then try the hospital. But if you are trying to avoid 'dirty work' then CNA is the wrong career for you.

Our CNAs are so important and help the nursing staff on the floor. I am now taking a job in ICU where we do not employ CNAs, but in Med-Surg and other pt care areas...a good CNA is priceless.

You assist the nurses by getting vital signs, helping feed/dress/groom the patients, helping with transfer and ambulation, helping with discharges. You are their eyes and ears when they are busy with assessments, doctors, family, or pt teaching because you have more contact with the patient and sometimes discover a pt problem sooner that needs to be brought to the nurses attention. Yes, you do a great deal of cleaning patients after the experience incontinence, changing beds, etc. But your nurse is primarily responsible for all aspects of pt care and a good nurse will assist you if she is available. Providing competent and safe nursing care is a team effort.

If you plan to expand into nursing, your CNA experience will be an asset. Don't let anyone discourage you against the 'dirty work' or make your job seem unimportant. To that pt who has incontinence, you are probably the most important heathcare team member.

If what you want is a secretarial position, the apply for a unit secretary job. You won't have to do 'dirty work' if that is what you are trying to avoid, but it is extremely difficult in its own respect. You need to be very familiar with medical terminology, routine orders, reading the doctor's chicken scratch handwriting, answering the call system/page system/telephones, taking messages from doctors/lab/pharmacy/diagnostics, etc.etc. etc....most Unit secretaries wish they had ten arms because the workload is so demanding.