CNA in postpartum or NICU

Published

Specializes in Pediatric Home Care, Dr Office/Clinic.

I've been trying to get a job as a CNA on a postpartum or the nicu unit for about a year with no luck because my dream is to be a postpartum or Nicu RN. I'm having a hard time getting in though. I'm thinking about getting PALS, NRP & S.T.A.B.L.E to pump up my resume, so I can get in. Do you think that will help? Any other ideas or tips?

Additional info about me: I've been a critical care & sub acute CNA for the last 3 years. It's just always been my dream/goal to be a postpartum or NICU RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I haven't seen a lot of NICUs using CNAs. I know some units do, but it's definitely not the norm. Are you making plans to return for your nursing degree? This honestly may be the best way to get your foot in the door as some units will have nurse extern/intern positions (meaning you can start working alongside an RN in the unit just before/while finishing your nursing degree with the prospect of working independently once you pass state boards). I have worked with some NICU HUCS (health unit coordinators) who are in nursing school and who have gotten their foot in the door this way in hopes of working in the unit after graduation-but definitely nothing set in stone. Good luck to you :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

We don't use CNAs in either unit at our hospital, and the classes wouldn't really make a difference as you wouldn't be able to apply them to your care. When we did have them many years ago they could only do temps, diapers, feed stable babies and stock. And those CNAs were senior nursing students.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Home Care, Dr Office/Clinic.

I am currently working on prereqs with plans to apply to RN school in 2018. I wasn't planning on taking the pals, nrp & s.t.a.b.l.e ceus because I think I will actually allowed to do those skills on the floor as a CNA, my thought is that taking those ceus will show potential employers how commited & truly interested I am in the maternity/womens health specialty.

Just trying to get my foot in the door now on a maternity floor, in hopes of maybe making it more probable to get hired on the unit after I finish RN school.

In Los Angeles where I live, not all hospitals have CNAs on the maternity units but there are several that do utilize CNAs but no CNAs are used in L&D & only a couple have CNAs on NICU. Most CNAs are found in couplet care/postpartum. It's hard to get hired on those floors though as a CNA (or RN) because no one wants to leave that unit! Maybe I should try for maternity unit secretary??? Anyone have any other ideas???

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion