what do CNA's do in the NICU?

Specialties NICU

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I was just wondering what CNA's duties are in the NICU? :)

I hope I wasn't sounding down on CNAs in the NICU - I guess what happened at the children's hospital really scared me is all. But like I said, if you're interested in NICU, it's totally worth it no matter what yoru duties might be. Just being in a unit like that, you will learn so much. Seeing all those sick babies and what the nurses do for them, it'll definitely help you decide if it's what you're looking for. And I didn't mind doing non-nursing things. There are worse jobs in life than cleaning isolettes, stocking baby blankets and diapers, running to the blood bank because a baby needs blood NOW, etc. It was a lot of fun, honestly!

I don't think that you were sounding down on CNA's in the NICU! your just letting us know exactly what goes on! thanks! If the cna nicu position is still avaliable after I get my cna license, i'm going to definitly apply! I love babies! After I get my RN degree. I want to end up in L & D or PP!:)

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Specializes in Nursing assistant.

How do you get a job in a hospital at all as a CNA? I have been one for 10 years in hospice home health and in nursing homes. The Hospitals in this area have you apply online, and often say on the job description that hospital experience is needed. The nurses I have worked with have told me I am really qualified, but I am afraid the application never gets past the fact I am older and have no hospital experience. I would love a job in a hospital hospice unit of oncology.

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in my level 3 unit... cna's do nothing. :confused:

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How do you get a job in a hospital at all as a CNA? I have been one for 10 years in hospice home health and in nursing homes. The Hospitals in this area have you apply online, and often say on the job description that hospital experience is needed. The nurses I have worked with have told me I am really qualified, but I am afraid the application never gets past the fact I am older and have no hospital experience. I would love a job in a hospital hospice unit of oncology.

I would just try! I'm sure that 10 years of work is good enough!!!

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Specializes in NICU, CVICU.

I work in a Level II/Level III. We have CNA's (NeoTechs) that assist the RNs. They feed, weigh, bathe, vitals. They do not do assessments - but you'd be amazed at how well they know these babies and have no problems alerting the RN to any pending problems - ie. when diapering: increasing girth, IV site puffing up, etc. Aside from direct patient care, they also stock, prepare formulas and EBM with supplements, pick up blood from blood bank, pick up meds at pharmacy if tube down, move babies and equipment if needed. Several of our CNAs have been on the unit more than 30 years and (as a recent grad) I've learned something from each of them!

We all love having a neo-tech on our assignment. A typical assignment on my unit might be a vented Level III baby with two Level II's -or- 3-4 Level II's with a neotech on one baby (usually the baby that eats the best). We have a very busy unit and the assignments can be H3!! most nights, but the techs can be a lifesaver.

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I work in a large level III NICU and we hire nursing students as techs but no CNA's. I too love having them as my eyes and ears when I can't be at my babies beside. One tech in particular I am sure could feed a rock, when I have a particularly hard feeder she seems to work wonders...she however is not a nursing student she was a midwife in Tiawland and after coming to America 13 yrs ago came to work in the NICU and has been at our hospital ever since.

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Specializes in Nursing assistant.
I would just try! I'm sure that 10 years of work is good enough!!!

Thanks for the encouragement, but my age and having mostly home health experience seems to be a detriment. I have about 8 applications in a local hospital right now, and every day I log on to find another rejection. I went as far as applying for a patient relations person, thinking it would help me to think outside the box. Got rejected on that one today. Seemed like it was worth a try because it was alot of what I usually do wherever I work, plus I do have computer skills. (excel and what not) All the other jobs I applied for were for CNA1s. Really want to stay in patient care, but just don't want to drive all over town all day to do it!

Wish they would let you interview, instead of just looking at the application online. How do they really know who you are?

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