CNA -lacking confidence

[ardentanglophile]

Dear fellow CNAs,

I am quitting my SNF CNA job after 6 months because I cannot handle the physical exertion required to do the job. I feel like I am working construction most of the time. I do ask for help but it is grudgingly offered. So I would like to move to work as a CNA in the hospital but my confidence is low. I worked nights at the SNF and I mainly took residents to the toilet, changed, wiped, made occupied beds, emptied catheter bags, collected I & Os, and did vital signs. Do you think I need more experience to work in a hospital? Need encouragement! Thanks!:nuke:

[johnsboo]

I worked in LTC for years and am now working in a hospital. The hospital is a much better atmosphere in my own experience.

although in my state (Missouri) they usally require one 1 year of prior experience to work in the hospital, though not always.

It sounds like you have the basics as far as training goes. In the hospital you will also do accuchecks, remove NG tubes, remove Catheters, remove IV lines. (not PICC or other Central lines though, only RN can do that.) You will do minor dressing changes and apply topical medications.

You will help with transfers and take patients to various areas in the hospital for treatments. ie; radiology, CT, MRI, Surgery, Dialysis, and walk out patients at discharge.

If you are working on the day shift, you will have baths, linen changes, vital signs, I&O's, Bladder Scans, and Lab Specimens to collect and take to the lab.

Don't worry, the hospital will train you in your competencies for the things they won't teach you in LTC. You will also be required to complete the BLS course which will give you a 2yr. certification.

These should all be offered free to you by the hospital educators.

Most hospitals have full time 12 hour shifts. There are some part time 8 hour but most require 12.

If you like a lot of diversity, go for the PRN Float positions, you get to work in different departments and you decide when you work. You usually get about $5 a hour more for your shift when you work PRN. Although there usually aren't benefits offered because you may not always have a full time schedule. Though I find I work MORE as a PRN, than as a scheduled full timer. Which is nice with Nursing school.

You will work VERY hard, but most everyone helps, including the RN's with baths, and toileting, and call lights, etc.

There is a lot more teamwork and more respect for the roles.

Just remember, the RN's are CRAZY BUSY! So make sure to step up and do your very best for them, they respect and appreciate you for all you do if you do well for them. And you will come to love the ones that are willing to help you out. And they will once they see you are doing a great job.

You will also learn about suction equipment, how to run codes, and your role there as well.

I wish you luck, and a great opportunity!

God Bless:redbeathe

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I worked in LTC for years and am now working in a hospital. The hospital is a much better atmosphere in my own experience.

although in my state (Missouri) they usally require one 1 year of prior experience to work in the hospital, though not always.

It really depends on the state. Many hospitals will train people with no prior experience to be CNA's and PCT's.

It sounds like you have the basics as far as training goes. In the hospital you will also do accuchecks, remove NG tubes, remove Catheters, remove IV lines. (not PICC or other Central lines though, only RN can do that.) You will do minor dressing changes and apply topical medications.

Again, depends on the facility. I've never heard of a CNA removing a NG tube. And, while it happens in many facilities, technically only RN's or LPN's can administer medications, even topical medications.

[Tippy-ta-ta]

It really depends on the state. Many hospitals will train people with no prior experience to be CNA's and PCT's.

Again, depends on the facility. I've never heard of a CNA removing a NG tube. And, while it happens in many facilities, technically only RN's or LPN's can administer medications, even topical medications.

at the hosp I worked at we were trained in foley catheter insertion, removal of NG tubes, Finget sticks for CBG's. Enemas, colostomy applications/removal, and some topical medications. So it really depends on the hospitals.

[yousoldtheworld]

It can be harder to get on at a hospital depending on where you live, but the atmosphere IS usually better. Though, I'll warn you, working on certain floors can be just as physically exhausting!

Have you considered home health care? Many people adore it because there is a lot more 1 on 1 time, and its generally not as hard on your body. Likewise, I am currently working in a Memory Care Center that is for people in the early to mid stages of dementia who do not have a medical component to their condition. Because of this, they are ambulatory, and they are mostly continent besides the occasional accident. It's not nearly as hard on me physically OR mentally.

So, even if you can't get on at the hospital yet, there are other options! Stay positive!

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

at the hosp I worked at we were trained in foley catheter insertion, removal of NG tubes, Finget sticks for CBG's. Enemas, colostomy applications/removal, and some topical medications. So it really depends on the hospitals.

I was a PCT for almost 2 years prior to becoming an RN, so believe me, I know all the stuff PCT/CNA's do, but alot of the stuff I did, was technically outside of my scope (ie changing colostomy bags, dressing changes, inserting foleys, applying topical medications). Just be careful, and don't do anything you aren't comfortable with. :)

[Tippy-ta-ta]

I was a PCT for almost 2 years prior to becoming an RN, so believe me, I know all the stuff PCT/CNA's do, but alot of the stuff I did, was technically outside of my scope (ie changing colostomy bags, dressing changes, inserting foleys, applying topical medications). Just be careful, and don't do anything you aren't comfortable with. :)

I was trained thru the hosp. it was considered part of my extended training, I had to be checked off on this and have a competency skills lab once a yr. So I had the proper training and at that hosp it was within my scope.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I was trained thru the hosp. it was considered part of my extended training, I had to be checked off on this and have a competency skills lab once a yr. So I had the proper training and at that hosp it was within my scope.

Even if you are "trained" by a nurse or facility, it is never in someone's scope to give medications of any type (including topicals) unless you are a nurse (or in the rare case a medication aide). I'm am well aware CNA's/PCT's sometime's give meds, but what they are doing is technically outside of their scope, regardless of training, unless they have RN or LPN after their name. :)

[Tippy-ta-ta]

Even if you are "trained" by a nurse or facility, it is never in someone's scope to give medications of any type (including topicals) unless you are a nurse (or in the rare case a medication aide). I'm am well aware CNA's/PCT's sometime's give meds, but what they are doing is technically outside of their scope, regardless of training, unless they have RN or LPN after their name. :)

is desitin considered a topical medication?

I used that on my kids when they were babes.

If it is soo far out our scope...why would the hosp give us the training?

why would we have to have a skills lab?

[lisa89]

Go for it...put your application in at a couple rof hospitals...on your app make sure u state u have 6-7 months of experience. I just got a new job at the hospital and I have 7 months experience and I love the cna hospital work.

Good luck

lislin

[sonomala]

You might try going on and becoming an NA2. Our hospital is putting a hiring focus on them :)