CNA limitations

ctmed · Nov 17, 2010

No.

I work on an adult psych unit for 21 to 60 year olds. No diapers, limited family visits. Other than having to occasionally duck the random fist or bite and tie folks down- it is a thing of beauty. (helps to be a male CNA, though - they do not hire too many ladies for this, although there are a few)

You can also do :

*Psych: Not everyones cup of tea, but as I mentioned this is what I do. They have pediatric, adult, and geriatric flavors. You need CNA, but it is on job boards under Mental Health Tech, Psych Tech, etc.

*Transport: Cart patient from one area to another. Low stress.

*Hospital : This covers everything from Nursing Home -like Telemetry units to Pediatrics to Oncology to working with CRNAs cleaning up behind them in PACU.

*Restorative: You will not get this off the street, but you do nothing but bathe and give range of motion excersises.

*clinics: But... as I mentioned in another thread.. it's rare and you need to know someone

*home health : as simple as setting up a route and just giving baths or as bad as having to sit with someone for X amount of hours being the maid, chauffeur, chef, and butler as well as CNA.

*assisted living :not a big fan - too much like the hotel business without the tips

*sitting: can be the ultimate lay out you have a patient that sleeps or a nightmare torture chamber being enclosed in a small space with a patient that is confused and going bonkers hitting, pulling IVs, jumping up , etc. Especially if you have a bad nurse who will not give meds or call a doctor (or even give you a 10 minute break!)

*Van driver: pick up folks from LTC and drive them to appointments.

*Unit Clerk: answer phones, help with paperwork. Although, most places, I find they like to put RN students on this instead of CNAs.

*Monitor Tech: But, depends on place (some only use LPNs and above) and you need another class.

*Emergency Room: But, they really lean towards hiring folks with EMT -B over CNA.

*Supervisor: some places, CNAs do schedules and look after CNAs.

*Agency: work a variety of places on call and PRN. Your mileage may vary. Agency is known for favoritism and can work your ass off then stop work suddenly without notice. They also screw you on unemployment and have contracts that keep you from working for a place they send you for a period of time. However you go to a hospital ONCE for agency and are on their role for 6 months - that is 6 months hospital experience. Pays the best of all options at the cost of non-dependability at times.

Only thing is, many of these things want HOSPITAL experience (one year to 6 months)

Humanatarian123 · Nov 17, 2010

Wow thank you so much! I really didn't even think about all of the opportunities one can have as a CNA. I really appreciate your help! I would love to work with teen moms and kids...

ctmed · Nov 20, 2010

Wow thank you so much! I really didn't even think about all of the opportunities one can have as a CNA. I really appreciate your help! I would love to work with teen moms and kids...

Mommy/baby stuff, as I mentioned in another thread is pretty hotly wanted right now. It usually is very biased towards female CNAs and no one ever quits those jobs, making it hard to get in. They want let ugly dudes like me anywhere near that. The "moms" would freak out!

Pediatric Psych could be an option, but there are not a lot of them. I have noticed a lot of female CNAs in that.

Teen Drug rehab as a mental health tech could be looked into. To actually do classes and counsel and do the cool stuff, you need an AA in therapy min. However, most of the cooler jobs there are starting to need Masters. Not to say you can not just be the person that is stationed observing folks - all you need for that is CNA. Some are going to ask for CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention Cert), but most places will pay for you to get this after hire.