What to REALLY know as a Hospital CNA???

Students CNA/MA

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I've been a CNA for 13 months at a LTC facility, and thought it was time to send out some applications for a hospital position. I got my first phone interview today with a major hospital and I got D-E-S-T-R-O-Y-E-D. I was surprised my questions only consisted of numbers such as "How often do you check your patient's foley catheter, and how many ml does a normal patient urinate per check?", "How often should you check your patient's vital signs?" and they also asked me medical abbreviations I was not familiar with as a LTC CNA. They were not impressed with my answers, as my answers were catered to LTC standards.

I'm perfectly capable of performing bedside care in the cleanest and safest way, I'm a hustler when it comes to unpredictable environments, and I'm a fast learner. I feel if I know the numbers and terminology; I wouldn't have a problem adjusting as a hospital CNA.

Please can anyone share their floor's ranges, abbreviations/terminology, and standards as a Hospital CNA?

Ruby Vee, BSN

17 Articles; 14,030 Posts

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

That sounds like an odd interview to me. I would think they would be more interested in "soft skills" or customer service skills. They can teach you how often they want their vital signs done.

Are you looking for an ICU or a floor position? ICU is usually hourly I & O and vital signs but can be every 15 minutes if someone is very sick. The floor, probably every four to eight hours unless there is a special circumstance.

Crystaluyen

10 Posts

Exactly!!! I was pumped and hoping to get those kind of questions, but was shocked I got these kind of questions...I felt so incompetent haha... It was for a per diem night shift position on a med-surg floor. Thanks for the info, Ruby!

That sounds like an odd interview to me. I would think they would be more interested in "soft skills" or customer service skills. They can teach you how often they want their vital signs done.

Are you looking for an ICU or a floor position? ICU is usually hourly I & O and vital signs but can be every 15 minutes if someone is very sick. The floor, probably every four to eight hours unless there is a special circumstance.

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