CNA on Med/Surg Floor?

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I am interviewing for a CNA position in a hospital next week for a med/surg floor. I have never worked as a CNA so I was just curious what kind of duties I would be doing? Not that I am against it, but would I be changing many briefs? Just a little nervous since I have never worked in the health care field before. Thanks!

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical.

Hi! I've been working on a Med/Surg floor since last May. The floor mostly consists of Surgical patients with Medical mixed in. The thins that I do during my shift (overnights) are taking and charting vital signs, change patients that need to be changed, answer call bells, help patients to and from bathroom, emptying foleys, drains, NG canisters, and colostomies- measuring and recording them. Also weighing patients that need to be weighed in the morning. Also with me working the night shift I have to do some paperwork as well. Hope that helps!

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Specializes in LTC, med-surg.

I started out as a CNA on my med-surg floor and here CNA duties include: taking and recording vitals, recording I+O's, assisting patients to bathroom, ambulate patients, transport to and from xray (after 5 or 6 pm), obtain EKG's, do blood draws, turn and change pt's, if CPR certified: do chest compressions during a Code. I think that's about it.

Good luck with your interview and I hope you enjoy your career in health care.

Diana

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

I change a lot of briefs..... but I have the side of the hall that I call the nursing home wing...

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I dont work in a hospital. I work LTC. I would just like to say that it is perfectly normal to be nervous about changing briefs and doing peri care. Just know that the nervous feelings you have wont last long. You will get over it very quickly. But yes no matter where you work as a CNA doing that sort of thing is going to be a major part of your job. You will be fine. Just get in there and do it and you will be surprised how quickly your "modesty" will be left at the wayside and you will be eating lunch and doing all sort of things that most people would find appauling in between without a second thought. Good Luck and welcome to the wonderful world of nursing!!

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Oh I just noticed your user name. Are you from the valley? I live in Gilbert. Just wondering what hospital you are applying for because I am going to be applying for a hospital tech job too, just not sure which hospital I have decided on.

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I didn't change that many briefs as a CNA on a med-surg floor. There was more surgery than medicine patients. Most of our patients were there for hip and knee replacements, spinal surgery and were there a few days post-op.

I did do a lot of vital signs, handing out meal trays, assisting patients to the bathroom, linen changes, and assisting with baths. There would be a few patients that were "total care", but not that many. I stayed busy. I wore out a pair of shoes every year walking those long halls, but I value my experience there.

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Our CNA assists with the total cares, showers patients and makes a lot of beds. Linen cart stocking and removal of dirty linen baskets.

She's great and we love that spare pair of hands when she's there.

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