Acute care nurse assistant vs. Long term care nurse aid

[HeatherAnn]

Partially based on advice I received here earlier today, I want to become a CNA right away and then volunteer in a hospital (or ideally get hired) to get my feet wet in a hospital (to try to see if nursing is something I think I can do well someday). Ideally, I would shadow a nurse, but I don't know of any programs that let members of the community do that.

Most of the CNA classes I am finding are for long term care. I don't understand exactly what training I should pursue to become a nurse assistant in a hospital. Do any of you have assistants? I bet they aren't trained in long term care CNA only, right? What are they trained in? Should I take the long term care and acute care classes both to broaden my skills?

[caliotter3]

Classes specifically for acute care nrsg assts are rare. One of the local community colleges used to offer one. It was very difficult to get into. Many hospitals will hire CNAs who have completed the beginning portions of nursing programs. I can only advise you to get the CNA certificate and apply to the hospitals first (before applying to LTC facilities). Good luck.

[HeatherAnn]

Thank you.

[krazy_coconuts]

Hi HeatherAnn, CNA classes in general aim toward training you to work in a LTC facility- but you use those basic skills no matter where you work. I work in a hospital on an acute cardiac floor, which is the only place I've ever worked. You will receive any additional skills or training you will need wherever you are hired, at least that's how the majority of hospitals are.

[HeatherAnn]

Thank you krazy coconuts. I am glad you confirmed that the CNA is a good first step. I signed up for a May 7 class. Thanks.

[RNfaster]

I just completed a CNA coures and now am getting trained at the acute hospital where I work (my first CNA job). I have to say that the hands-on experience is the best way to learn. Choose your CNA course carefully. I was not very pleased with mine. I feel like they took many short cuts. Luckily, I am just completing my nursing prereqs, which, I think, helped me fill in some of the gaps that were glossed over or not even touched upon in my CNA course. (They showed us Hollywood movies and let us out early just about every day.)