CNA in L&D

[rily.winkler]

Hi everyone, My names Rily. I am a pre-nursing student about to take a CNA course. I was wondering if anyone could clear a few things up for me!

• Can CNAs work in L&D?
• If I would like to care more for baby what unit should I go into? (Would like a little of mom too)
• Can I work in mom baby unit as a CNA?
• What would my duties be?
• What are the technical job titles of a CNA in L&D, Postpartum, or Mom Baby?

Thank you in advance!

[klone, MSN, RN]

Yes, some (not all) facilities hire NAs in OB. More likely in postpartum, but the facility I currently work at employs them in L&D as well. In L&D, they might room patients in the triage department, stock supplies in the rooms, clean up instruments and things after deliveries. In postpartum they might answer call lights, ambulate patients, take vitals, fill water, pull Foley catheters, help with baby baths. 

In most places, CNAs do very little with the babies, typically that's total RN care. 

[Idiosyncratic, BSN, RN]

My first facility hired NA’s for postpartum but not for labor and delivery. In postpartum they would do vital signs, help take patients off the floor at discharge, stock rooms, sometimes help with baby needs but not usually. A lot of these areas were RN only care. 

[NurseNora, BSN, RN]

In my last hospital CNAs did a lot in L&D, but not much direct patient care. Ambulating a patient to the bathroom  was about the only patient care they did. They set up delivery instrument tables. Then collected instruments after a delivery, counted them to be sure none were missing, and prepared them to be taken to CSS. They restocked patient rooms and fetal monitors.  All were trained to scrub for sections. After a section was finished, they again counted and prepared instruments to go to CSS. After the room was cleaned by housekeeping, they restocked it, made up the OR table and infant warmer.  At one point they were also cross trained as Unit Secretaries. We called them Techretaries.