New CNA with several nurse tech interviews

panjia · Jul 27, 2012

I pretty much have the same question as you. If you find any answers outside this website, please don't hesitate to post them here! Thank you! :)

boogalina, ADN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN · Jul 27, 2012

It's very, very important to learn all the supplies, where they are located, and what ones are called for in what situations. You are the lifeline between your nurses and the supply room when they are stuck in a contact precautions room, or just can't leave their patient. It will take time, and it seems that just when you learn where everything is, things get moved, but stick with it, this is super important. Learn your hospital - where to find things, such as central supply, dietary, morgue, blood bank, surgical department, ED, etc. It's a lot easier to make a run for platelets if you learned early on where the lab is located and how to get there in a hurry!

Keep moving all the time. If you circulate through your section continuously, you will be known as the awesome aide that works hard, and as a bonus, you can solve problems before they become problems. Make sure your rooms are stocked. Many patients may not be alert/oriented, but hourly rounding to find out what your coworkers need will go a long way toward making your life smoother.

Learn the charting system, whether paper or computer. There may be shifts where you don't get a good report, either because the person you are following was slammed and didn't know their section as well as they might, or because there was no aide on the floor, due to a patient requiring a sitter. In systems such as EPIC, you can look up when the last cares of different types were documented so you can see what needs to be done. Your charge nurse may ask you for a report on what needs to be done in the unit (i.e.; baths, room preps, etc.) so be able to provide that early and often.

Learn the alarm sounds (IV pumps, feeding pumps, vent alarms, vent heater alarms, bed alarms, SCD pump alarms, etc etc on and on). . .and try to learn telemetry monitoring if you get a chance. It's very interesting, and will come in handy in your RN career.

Watch your nurses and learn. Most of the RNs love teaching, since patient/family teaching is an integral part of good nursing. They will explain what they are doing, encourage that and you will learn more.

Use good body mechanics. Many patients are bariatric, some are combative. Know how to position yourself to avoid injury.

Get a good (inexpensive) Indiglo Timex watch with the day of the week and date on it. You'll need it for taking vitals (usually in lower acuity units respiratory rate is done visually, so you'll need to time it), and it's always nice to know what day of the week it is (believe me, you'll lose track).

Kdrenee · Jul 27, 2012

Thank you for the tips. I got the job at a rehabilitation hospital. TIRR Memorial Hermann in the Houston medical center. It's the number 3 rehab hospital in the country. It was the most amazing place I've ever been to by far. They were running some tests on a paralyzed patient for a clinical trial while I was there, they let me watch. It was awesome. I feel very blessed and want to make sure that I do my very best. To work for this hospital is a once in a life time chance that I DO NOT want to screw up. I will take your tips to heart and any other advice is appreciated very much! :)