Certified Nursing Assistants/Monitor Tech/Unit Secretary working in ICU

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There are not very many websites that I really enjoy that are related to my job except this one. I really like the topics that are on here. I work in ICU as a certified nursing assistant, unit secretary, and monitor tech. I assist with a great deal of patient care in our ICU. I do some EKG's, draw blood, assist with basic patient care (baths etc). I also do alot of the paper work and keep an eye on the monitors. I have served on a code team as a recorder and as the person doing compressions. I have worked in the Emergency Room as an ER Tech where I was trained as an IV tech to start IV's. I had to go through a phlebotomy and IV Therapy Class and get checked off on several IV sticks and blood draws before I could do this on my own. I do not start IV's in ICU because most of the time it is already done. Are there any other gals like me who are not nurses but have been trained to assist the nurses with more than just giving baths and getting vital signs? Most of the nursing assistants I know do not have the desire to do what I have done. I am the only CNA in our entire hospital who has been trained in IV therapy. I want to go back to get my RN so bad I can taste it. However I have children who I am trying to put through college and I cannot have all of us going to college. I would like to have some responses to my post. Thanks Judy

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Specializes in IMC, ICU, Telemetry.

Good for you! Your ambition, enthusiasm and previous experience will help you reach your goal of becoming an RN.

Have you considered a community college ADN program? This is often a less expensive means to the same end (RN). And if you have children in college as well, that may qualify you for Financial Aid grants and subsidized loans to help ease the cost of both yours and your children's expenses.

My CC nursing education cost about the same as a new car would have(a compact w/ manual transmission, locks and windows :D) I covered it with a few loans and grants. Had enough for tuition, books & supplies, as well as incidentals like transportation, child care and lunch money. Not bad investment for a whole new career with excellent dividends. :)

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On the labor and delivery unit I worked on, our CNA's functioned as unit clerks as well as scrub techs in the OR for C-Sections. I was happy to have them there. Good luck in school, I hope you go for it. :pumpiron:

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Judy,

Well, you have gotten some responses to your post. And they all say basically what you expected to hear: if you want to be a nurse, then GO FOR IT.

We don't have to validate your choice, it's not a matter of you being a Mom sending your kids through college; it is a matter of you doing what your heart says you MUST.

No one else can validate your choice, it's up to you, and I hope you choose nursing; you will be rewarded, frustrated and gratified like no other profession.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Judy, that sounds like my position as a tech. We were able to do far more than just bed baths and vital signs. As a result, I found nursing school to be pretty easy. The experiences that you have seen/done will help you way more than you think. It will benefit you in clinicals, tests, and finding a job. I am the only new grad hired into my ICU (ever). My manager said that the main reason that they wanted to take a chance on a new grad was because I had those 10 years of tech experience.

Good Luck to you, and when your time comes, you'll rock in Nursing school.

BTW, does your work offer tuition reimbursement?

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