Called for a job interview today..

[emndarmic]

I'm excited..I received a call from HR about a position at a hospital. The position I applied for is in the pediatric/surgical unit. I checked the boxes for both part-time and full-time so I'm unsure of what I would be working. I do know they are 12 hr shifts with every 3rd weekend rotation.

Before my interview can anyone tell me what an in-experienced CNA would do in a hospital setting. I work home health and my job is mostly cleaning houses. Not a whole lot of patient interaction right now, my people even shower themselves for the most part. I just finished my CNA class early June so I'm just curious. At the hospital the pay is a low $8.30 an hour and I would have to drive almost 60 miles round trip to work. I'm going to see what they have to offer as far as pay raises since the gas prices are killing everyone.

What do you think...I think I would like the patient interaction more than home health, even though I can honestly say..I like my job right now, but only 9 hrs a week at $8.00 an hour doesn't do much for the pay check.

TIA..

[FutureNurse23]

I wish you the best of luck. You will have alot of pt interaction just as if you was at a nursing home. Most of your job will be ADL's ( Activities of daily living) measuring input and outcome, turning the pt every 2hrs charting ect. Basically all the things you learned in schooling for your NA.

[bethin]

Before my interview can anyone tell me what an in-experienced CNA would do in a hospital setting. I work home health and my job is mostly cleaning houses. Not a whole lot of patient interaction right now, my people even shower themselves for the most part. I just finished my CNA class early June so I'm just curious. At the hospital the pay is a low $8.30 an hour and I would have to drive almost 60 miles round trip to work. I'm going to see what they have to offer as far as pay raises since the gas prices are killing everyone.

What do you think...I think I would like the patient interaction more than home health, even though I can honestly say..I like my job right now, but only 9 hrs a week at $8.00 an hour doesn't do much for the pay check.

TIA..

First, Good luck! I don't work peds but med/surg so what you're responsibilities are may completely different than mine. Ask for a job description during your interview.

I do vitals, set up room for admits, answer phones when others are busy, obtain blood sugars (if allowed in your state), U/A's, turns, baths, assist nurses with inserting foley's IV's, feed pt's, etc. Apply telemetry - there's a diddy I'll tell ya:

White on pt's right

Green grass under clear skies (under white)

Black smoke over fire (red)

Brown in the middle for poop

Course, many have a picture but I find it's faster to remember this.

There's also lots of charting, nurses asking you to do lots of things, running to lab, running to get pt's that sprite they have to have NOW, and answering call lights of course.

Regarding codes: if there's one, try real hard to get in on it. I would suggest the first few times to sit in the corner and observe.

I make $10.75/hr and drive 60 miles round trip and it has been a real struggle for me with gas. Though, I live by myself and have lots of medical bills so that may make a difference. Plus, I have student loans, books to buy, etc.

I'm sure there are many things I'm forgetting, but I'm blanking at the moment.