CNA Anyone?

Nurses General Nursing

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I was just curious if there were any CNA's on the board? It not, can someone please tell me what they do? I am condidering talking a 9 week CNA course at my local Adult School.

It's a really long story, but to make it a little shorter... I couldn't be added to the chem class at the CC I'm going to., so I opted for an all daySaturday Sociology class that I know I will eventually need anyway. Then my boss who had said .. "I'll defenitley work around your school hours".. decided it was just better for me to resign (Ahhh:( ) so that's what I did. My last day is next Friday... so I can either find another customer service job or take the CNA course, but before I sign up officially.... I wanted to know what they really did and where they are usually employed, i guess monwy isn't the biggest issue, I'm looking at it from the aspect of getting into the medical field while I get my ADN...

So, any one out there to answer my quetion?

S

I'm a CNA. I've been reading this BB for a while and enjoy the opinions and observations of all.

Because I must work full time, I can study part time for my BSN RN. No spouse, no parents to help, it's just me and my boy. BUT I like the work, and when I'm finished (about 6-8 yrs) I hope to travel nurse.

To answer question about CNA, at my hospital, after we complete the 3 week state certification, we study an additional 6 weeks and learn Chemsticks, EKG's, catheter removal, simple dressings (non-sterile), IV removal, etc.

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I don't know where some of you work, but I have not heard of nor did I ever care for IV's, NG's or the like. Are CNA's doing this????

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thank you very much, adrienurse, for the point blank answers about the questions I asked that i love so much. It would help to hold onto someone, and i would ask for the Zylocaine, as well as NOS gas, or something to stop involunary muscle twitches, even if its a second or two, it;s still hard for me to imagine.

I wouldn't mind learning how to remove an IV. Once or twice a nurse let me do that, I was so honored. I like to correctly place tellie monitors as a CNA, but don't understand how they work when their spread so far across the chest. Arncha suppoesed to put it closer if you want a better reading? Its so cool and interesting, cna is best.

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Strawberry-CNAS don't perform invasive procedures in my hospital. Unless you consider the chemstrips invasive. We don't cath people or do anything like that. I have done all of those things as a student(not as a CNA) and yes I feel comfortable in the sense that I feel I am competent. But no, it is never COMFORTABLE doing something invasive to a person.

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I totally agree with Mario about that. A lot of nurses I work with refuse to answer call lights, feeling that it is the job of the CNA. However, 75% of what the pt is calling for is something that I cannot help them with, such as pain meds, info on their condition, etc. When I report their problems to the nurse, they kind of blow me off. The biggest thing is that their IV is beeping. So I tell the nurse, who ignores me and the pt keeps ringing the call light and even though I know why they are ringing and I cannot help them, I am expected to answer the light. The pt then starts yelling and screaming at ME. And it is frustrating because I know how to fix the IV pumps as a student but am not allowed to touch them as a CNA.

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When the IV starts its little bing/bong I just press hold and it stops the bonging w/o it messing with anything :-)

The nurses are busy, and I try to imagine what I would be doing if I was in their shoes.

So much depends on your ability to move freely through space and think at the same time, and plan ahead too. As a cna, my hippocampus stays lit at all times when things are buzy. How well rested you are, and a positive additude dictates the show :-)

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The hold button only lasts for a few minutes and then it starts bonging again. And we get in trouble for doing that.

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And I wasnt criticizing the nurses...I am just saying it sucks because I am taking the brunt of the abuse for something that is not even my job.

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:cool: I just started the cna cert. this month and enjoy the class. I have a psycho rn teacher though! she gives us 2 chapters everyday, but somehow it sinks in, i've got a 97 and a 100 on tests so far. it isnt as easy as i thought it would be, but if you have ambition to be an rn or lpn this is the place to start.

now about catheters and iv's my instructor has told me that states and facilities differ in duties allowed by cna's. in fact my step father works for the state of ny as an aid and is not certified but yet he can pass some meds. he said there isnt even an rn on night shift at the facility but there is one on call. the more you talk to different people about tasks the more you realize the spectrum is enourmous. anyways if your going to be a nurse take the cna class if you have the time it would be foolish not too.:p

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Hey nrs. 2b !

I have spent many (too many, really) years as a medic, tech., CNA, medical asst., EMT, etc., etc... During all those years, my heart's desire was to someday be a "real nurse". The closest I came to that was in the A.F. many, MANY moons ago as a medic (practically identical to a civilian LPN, and THEN some!) But then came love, then came marriage.. and you know how the story goes from there. There went the time, the money, etc. Even had been accpeted 2x in nursing school, actually spent 2 yrs. in college only to never complete what I had started. So many obstacles; work schedule, finances, children, moving.. (excuses?)

Now the kids are grown and on their own and I have a wonderful job as a hemodialysis tech. and the co. is paying for my RN schooling. My time has arrived! For the past 3 yrs. I have done nothing but work fulltime and study every minute I'm not working. I have literally put my life on hold. But that's ok.. my academics are behind me ( a 4.0 I might add!!! :D ) and all that's left is my big clinical exam, then the NCLEX. I'll be done before the yr's. end.

SO... here's my advice to you, young friend... YOU GO FOR IT ! Do the CNA thing. It's the best way to "get the feel" for things. I agree with the previous post which said all nurses should have the CNA experience as a prerequisite. AMEN to that ! Not only will you better appreciate your CNA's in the future as a nurse (and God knows where we'd be without them!) and treat them as you would have wanted to be treated, but it will afford you the opportunity to observe and absorb. Be curious. Ask questions. Keep your ears and eyes open. Absorb all that you can. Find a nurse mentor. Never allow anyone to belittle your position.. you know WHAT you're doing and WHY! A good CNA is worth their weight in gold! (and nurses KNOW it!).. although some might like to look down their noses at the CNA's..let that be THEIR problem and don't make it YOURS. You'll be a nurse to whom other CNA's can someday look up to, admire, and learn from! So "just DO it!"

Don't fool around for decades like I did. That will give you so many more years to enjoy being the nurse you want to be! Don't let "obstacles" (excuses) get in your way. Realize your dream. It's a long, hard road ahead, but so is LIFE in general, right? At least at the end of your dream's road, you'll HAVE sth. for all your effort, and so will your future patients! So you just truck on and stay focused. "Never put off til tomorrow what you can do today!" (you have to get to my age to really begin to appreciate the truth of that little saying!) I wish you the best. Believe in yourself. Keep moving. Keep growing!

And yes... this IS a FABULOUS site, and GREAT BB !!! Wish I had found it 3 yrs. ago! (except that I only reently bought myself a computer as a "good for you!" reward for doing so well in my studies...heh, heh...) You do that , too ! It's important to reward yourself! Keep reaching for the candy! :p

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Hi!

Good luck on your CNA courses! You will be great. I was a CNA for 10 years then became a PCT (Patient Care Tech) when I went to work for a local hospital. I loved the fact that I was able to have more responsiblities. I still do all the CNA work eg.. baths,feeding,shaving,dressing, vital signs, ect. but now I have the knowledge to do strait caths, indwelling caths, dressing changes, checking blood sugars and doing blood draws. I have even learned and become competent to assist with tube feedings. Its wonderful that my nurses are able to use me so that they can do other things that need to be done besides passing meds. I know that in different States CNA responsibilties may be alot different but I wanted to let you know some of the other things with more schooling we are allowed to do after certification.

I am now in LPN school and to tell you the truth, I am loving it. My supervisors, nurses, and hospital are all great on supporting my goals and assisting me with achieving them.

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P.S. In Arizona it is out of the CNA scope of practice to pass meds. That is the job of a licenced or registered nurses.

Catherizing a male is easier than a female but a Urologist told me once while he was watching me to look either for the smiley face or the wink and aim. You are sure to hit it every time. That one peice of advice has served me well. lol

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