Has anyone been an SNA at Children's?

[NBMom1225]

I'll be starting orientation as a Student Nurse Associate on Dec 15th at Children's Hospital. I'll be on the peds oncology unit, which is where I'm hoping to be once I'm an RN, so I'm really looking forward to the opportunity. I was told during the interview that, in general, I'd be like a "well paid PCT", which I realize will include things like bathing, assisting with feeding, and changing bedding.

I just wish I had asked more specifics, kind of what my "scope of practice" would include, but I didn't want to seem too pushy at the interview, lol:chuckle.

I know I won't be "allowed" to pass meds, but I've heard from other nurse techs at other hospitals that they sometimes get to after the nurses get to know them and trust them...but this is Children's and I don't really expect that to happen with the acuity of kids I'll be seeing, especially on the oncology floor.

I'm wondering if SNA's do blood draws, finger sticks, any sort of assessments other than vitals, central line dressing changes, NG or ostomy care, that sort of thing. Thanks in advance for any info anyone can give me, and if anyone out there is starting as an SNA with me on the 15th let me know!

Ok, that's the most I've posted all semester...gotta get through the last two weeks of Maternity and then spend the Christmas break working full time at Children's during the orientation period before starting Peds in January...yeah, I think I'll end up heavily medicated before graduation in May! Happy Holidays:D!

[missgigius, RN]

Hi,

I worked at Children's as a PCA for seven years. I left last year to focus on school but the SNA's and PCA's do the exact same thing. ADL's, specimen collections (venipunctures, heel and finger sticks, urine, stool), Trach suctioning (on my unit), tube feeding (not placing tubes), vitals signs and assisting on the unit as needed.

The SNA didn't do any assessments, catheters or any type of complex care or treatments. But you could observe.

Congrats on your job!

[sweetjean143]

Hello! I am an SNA on 6west at Children's (Oncology).

We are responsible for vitals, specimen collections (urine, stool, blood-by venipuncture or fingerpoke), also i/o's, morning care, bed changes, feeding babies if there are no parents there...our "scope of practice" is pretty narrow, but I have learned so much about oncology/renal/sickle cell, it is amazing.

[Sirena922]

SweetJean, can you tell me what kind of experience do you need to become a PCA? Should I go for a CNA class or PCA class. I need to get some experience with patient care.

[sweetjean143]

well...a to be an SNA, you just have to be in Nursing school and have completed one med/surg clinical rotation. To be a PCA, I believe you have to have some sort of training, either CNA, medical assistant, EMT, there are a few different ways to be qualified.

[William Long]

Hey!

I was a SNA at CHM, on the PICU. As an RN now (at another hospital) in an ICU, I would tell you the education there is INVALUABLE.

Just one hard and fast rule.

Ask the nurses you are working with to do ANYTHING/EVERYTHING you can for them...EXECPT MEDS.

The way I looked at it was, I was paying my dues with linen changes, baths, "code browns", but it opened up alot of really cool learning opportunities, like dressing changes, IV line priming, learning the coveted nursing tricks and secrets, setting up a 'train of four' neurological electrode placement and monitoring, stuff like that.

This will sound morbid, but, if a patient dies on your floor, volunteer to help with the body prep for the morgue. Since you cannot cause any injury to the patient anymore, see if you can help D/C the lines or ET tubes what ever is coming out. ASK FIRST! Sometimes you need to leave in the lines for the Medical Examiner.

If you are able to, you can learn the technique of cutting sutures and D/C'ing central lines and what the feels like.

Good Luck! Hit me back with more questions if you want.

Bill

[sweetjean143]

Hey!

I was a SNA at CHM, on the PICU. As an RN now (at another hospital) in an ICU, I would tell you the education there is INVALUABLE.

Just one hard and fast rule.

Ask the nurses you are working with to do ANYTHING/EVERYTHING you can for them...EXECPT MEDS.

The way I looked at it was, I was paying my dues with linen changes, baths, "code browns", but it opened up alot of really cool learning opportunities, like dressing changes, IV line priming, learning the coveted nursing tricks and secrets, setting up a 'train of four' neurological electrode placement and monitoring, stuff like that.

This will sound morbid, but, if a patient dies on your floor, volunteer to help with the body prep for the morgue. Since you cannot cause any injury to the patient anymore, see if you can help D/C the lines or ET tubes what ever is coming out. ASK FIRST! Sometimes you need to leave in the lines for the Medical Examiner.

If you are able to, you can learn the technique of cutting sutures and D/C'ing central lines and what the feels like.

Good Luck! Hit me back with more questions if you want.

Bill

Just to add to that, since I work on the floor you will be working on ( I will meet you soon!) It is pretty well known that the SNA's in the PICU get to do more than on our floor. One of the other SNA's on 6west is friends with someone in the PICU.

So the experience is really great and you will learn a ton, but don't expect to do dressing changes and IV stuff. And I have personally (knock on wood) have not had a patient die, while they were on 6west. They have died at home or in PICU maybe, but not on our floor, at least not while I was there.

FYI, trust me you will have your hands full with the duties you will have, because we are usually responsible for 8 patients. Plus, sometimes we have to do vitals on even more than that.

That's a lot of charting, i/o's, beds/baths, urine dips(we do a ton of these!), blood draws, etc.

Congrats on the job! See you soon.

Jillian

[William Long]

Hey!

Jillian makes some very good points, which I had not considered.

When I was on the PICU, we did dressing changes alot, and we did have a low mortality rate but this was higher than that of the other floors to be sure!

My point about the IV set up (not starting the IV per se, but priming the tube sets) is a very valuable skill which will be invaluable when you have to hang blood or IV meds later, especially under pressure.

Jillian hopefully can show you the ropes as, she is not kidding, you will have LOTS to do and be very busy!

Good Luck to Both and ALL!

Bill