Advice Please!!!!

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Specializes in I don't have much experiance yet..

I am getting ready to start my 3rd semester of clinical in a week, and will be graduating this spring(2007) from an ADN program, hopefully!!! I have recently got a job at a hospital as a Student Nurse II / Advanced CNA. I will be on the PCU floor (Progressive Care Unit) mainly, but may float from time to time. I was wondering if anyone who has experiance in being a CNA or Student Nurse has any advice. I will be working 2 12 hour shifts a week ( weekend, more than likely). I will, also, be going to school about 5 days a week ( 2 days are 8hr clinical in hospitals). I need advice on managing time and anything else. I am excited but scared!! I have done plenty of clinical rotations for school but I have never had a job in this field:uhoh3: . So, I won't have my instructor there to help me or my peers to assist me. As I said, advice will be very appreciated!!!!

Thanks!!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

First congratulations on the job. Second, relax! It will be ok. Always put school first! Never take your eyes off the goal. CNA work is demanding, but rewarding. Use your "down time" IF ANY while working as a cna to find a nurse and ask her/him if there is anything interesting that they are going to do, such as wound care, heart murmur, lung sounds (crackles,etc.), or anything else that they think might be interesting. There will not be a lot of down time and some Nurses may not be as helpful as others, but over all your willingness to learn will be pleasing to them.

Have fun and keep us posted.

Sincerely,

Jay

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Specializes in I don't have much experiance yet..
First congratulations on the job. Second, relax! It will be ok. Always put school first! Never take your eyes off the goal. CNA work is demanding, but rewarding. Use your "down time" IF ANY while working as a cna to find a nurse and ask her/him if there is anything interesting that they are going to do, such as wound care, heart murmur, lung sounds (crackles,etc.), or anything else that they think might be interesting. There will not be a lot of down time and some Nurses may not be as helpful as others, but over all your willingness to learn will be pleasing to them.

Have fun and keep us posted.

Sincerely,

Jay

Thank you for the advice. Tomorrow is going to be my 1st day on the floor working for 12 hours. I am nervous and excited. I will take your advice and be sure to put myself out there to the nurses. I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks again.

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Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.

Jennifer - congrats on the job! I just started my CNA job yesterday. It seems like a much better way to get your hands dirty (so to speak...) in the field of nursing. After just 1 day my confidence level was higher. Being a CNA gives you a chance to become confident in taking care of patients, without the added responsibility that nurses have of being responsible for all of their care. It was amazing to me to realize how much the patients rely on CNAs for what they need - they only see their nurse a few times each shift, but the CNA is in there a lot.

I was able to start out on 8 hour shifts, but once I am out of my preceptorship I will be on the 12 hours as well.

By the way, one of the nurses I worked with said she thinks that all nurses should spend time working as CNAs first. She helped me give a bedbath and gave me a lot of good tips

Goodluck and let us know how it goes!

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Specializes in Nursing assistant.

I have never been a student nurse, but I do think this job will enhance your performance in your clinicals. Bet you will shine!

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