Any CNA's work psych/mental health?

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Specializes in Wound Care.

I got a call today to come in for a third interview for an adolescent residential treatment center. The center treats youth with mental health issues (mainly eating disorders, cutters and suicide watch). The position is for a night counselor. They required a CNA cert (for the life of me I have no idea why but okay...) Anyways I asked her to tell me what a typical shift was like for someone working nights (11p-6a) and she couldn't really tell me. She just said bed checks every 30 min and to put them back to bed if they get up but said most are on meds that make them sleep though the night. I would need to chart and maybe do some light cleaning like loading the dishwasher, throwing in a load of sheets from a discharged pt room and just holding down the fort....She said most of the residents there are self harm and wont bother me so its pretty safe. I would be working with just me and an RN on nights and 18 residents ranging from 8 to 18 but she said right now most residents are 11-16. The pay seems a little bit high $16-$18 per hour for it to be this easy. I'm thinking she leaving something out. I asked her why she has the open position and she said the last two CNA's promoted. One to RN the other to LVN.

Something just seems kinda fishy. Are there any other CNA's out there who have worked mental health or in another setting like this a night? What's it really like.

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I know a few cna's who work in psych/mental health BUT, they work during the day. You get paid that high because of the "type" of people you are working with. I would take the job if you get it and see what it is about and if you don't like it and or it is too much for you, then keep on looking. That doesn't make sense not to have another CNA working with those type of people and with only 1 RN but good luck with everything

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Specializes in Wound Care.

Okay thank you! She said she would contact me on Thursday and let me know. The interview went really well so I'm crossing my fingers that the job is mine. I had everything they were looking for and more. I just want to make sure that its a safe enviornment since I will be working there practically alone. I know someone told me that mental health pays well...I just didn't know it paid that well.

I just can't help but feel like shes leaving something out. I mean Im sure there is more to do then a few loads of laundry and bed checks every 30 min. If not, thats going to make for a looooong night. Lots of studying I guess.

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From what you are saying, it seems as if the lady is leaving something if not some things out. Usually at night (from my experience and what I hear), everyone is sleep and not much to do. Are you currently in school?

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Specializes in Wound Care.
From what you are saying, it seems as if the lady is leaving something if not some things out. Usually at night (from my experience and what I hear), everyone is sleep and not much to do. Are you currently in school?

Yes I am currently in school.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.
I got a call today to come in for a third interview for an adolescent residential treatment center. The center treats youth with mental health issues (mainly eating disorders, cutters and suicide watch). The position is for a night counselor. They required a CNA cert (for the life of me I have no idea why but okay...) Anyways I asked her to tell me what a typical shift was like for someone working nights (11p-6a) and she couldn't really tell me. She just said bed checks every 30 min and to put them back to bed if they get up but said most are on meds that make them sleep though the night. I would need to chart and maybe do some light cleaning like loading the dishwasher, throwing in a load of sheets from a discharged pt room and just holding down the fort....She said most of the residents there are self harm and wont bother me so its pretty safe. I would be working with just me and an RN on nights and 18 residents ranging from 8 to 18 but she said right now most residents are 11-16. The pay seems a little bit high $16-$18 per hour for it to be this easy. I'm thinking she leaving something out. I asked her why she has the open position and she said the last two CNA's promoted. One to RN the other to LVN.

Something just seems kinda fishy. Are there any other CNA's out there who have worked mental health or in another setting like this a night? What's it really like.

Well it is fine if they sleep through the night. When you do your checks, what are you checking for?? Are they sleeping, breathing, cutting self under blanket? And what if someone does not want to go back to bed? Is there a time-out room? Do they do seclusion or restraints? Will you have an orientation? It could be interesting and easy money.. Or not.. I say try it out. You may like it although there are likely some very sad stories..

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Specializes in Wound Care.

Well it is fine if they sleep through the night. When you do your checks, what are you checking for?? Are they sleeping, breathing, cutting self under blanket? And what if someone does not want to go back to bed? Is there a time-out room? Do they do seclusion or restraints? Will you have an orientation? It could be interesting and easy money.. Or not.. I say try it out. You may like it although there are likely some very sad stories..

As for bed checks, yes I would be checking to make sure they are still in bed, not self harming, stuff like that. I'm not sure if they use restraints but I doubt it. Yes there it's an orientation. If the job is offered to me I'm going to give it at try.

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Well any free time that you have, use it wisely and study what are you in school for if you don't mind me asking? I hope you get the job :)

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Specializes in Wound Care.
Well any free time that you have, use it wisely and study what are you in school for if you don't mind me asking? I hope you get the job :)

I'm in LVN school

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I got a call today to come in for a third interview for an adolescent residential treatment center. The center treats youth with mental health issues (mainly eating disorders, cutters and suicide watch). The position is for a night counselor. They required a CNA cert (for the life of me I have no idea why but okay...) Anyways I asked her to tell me what a typical shift was like for someone working nights (11p-6a) and she couldn't really tell me. She just said bed checks every 30 min and to put them back to bed if they get up but said most are on meds that make them sleep though the night. I would need to chart and maybe do some light cleaning like loading the dishwasher, throwing in a load of sheets from a discharged pt room and just holding down the fort....She said most of the residents there are self harm and wont bother me so its pretty safe. I would be working with just me and an RN on nights and 18 residents ranging from 8 to 18 but she said right now most residents are 11-16. The pay seems a little bit high $16-$18 per hour for it to be this easy. I'm thinking she leaving something out. I asked her why she has the open position and she said the last two CNA's promoted. One to RN the other to LVN.

Something just seems kinda fishy. Are there any other CNA's out there who have worked mental health or in another setting like this a night? What's it really like.

what area u from state and city that great starting pay
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Specializes in Wound Care.

I'm in California. Long beach to exact

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