CNA Questions/Experiences

Harmony213 · Jan 15, 2005

Hi, I'm a Nurse Tech at a hospital and I have been doing this for a year and a half, and I will be going to nursing school in Fall 2006. Even though I haven't started nursing school yet, I think being a Tech is going to help out tremendously. I am comfortable with taking care of patients and know how everything works in the hospital. My friend just started nursing school this year and said that the people who aren't CNA's don't know how to do really simple things even, so I definently recommend becoming a CNA. I work on an orthopedic floor, so we get worked pretty hard (nothing compared to nursing home work though). A typical day for the day shift is: Get there at 6:45 am, listen to report for half an hour (doesnt always take that long, but we dont need to be on the floor till 7:15), get everyones vital signs, get their breakfast set up for them, deliver clean linens to their room while they're eating. Since it is an ortho floor, a lot of patients need physical therapy, so whoever has PT first, I get washed up first (most can wash their top halves themselves, and i just get their legs and back). Then we get whoever does have PT up in a wheelchair and take them down the hall to PT. This usually takes up the whole morning. We also have to fill out physical care and activity sheets once in the morning, once in the afternoon. Around 11, I get the Q4 hour vitals and any accuchecks. When lunch comes, we get their trays set up for them. The afternoon is similar, getting people up for therapy. If we have any surgicals we get the room set up and get surgical vitals for as long as ordered. During all this time, people may need to get on a stretcher for x-rays or any tests, and also helping people to the bathroom. As a tech, we can insert and remove foleys, do simple dressing changes, suction, and do something with a feeding tube (im not sure what bc we never see those on our floor).

Sorry this is a lengthy post but its always a lengthy day!! PM me if you want to know more.

germain · Jan 15, 2005

Hi. I've been a CNA for 11 years now. What you do varies a lot depending on where you work. Most people start out in nursing homes, but you don't have to stay there. If your CNA program doesn't teach vitals, your facility might. In a nursing home a typical day is: bust *** for the first 2 hours getting 6 or so people out of bed( hopefully less, but that was usual for me) and to breakfast, feeding breakfast, toileting and changing those patients, walking and helping nurses, doing vital signs, and putting them back to bed for naps or whatever they need. Depends. I did a lot of homecare which where i am pays better and is lower stress, helping people in their homes. In the hospital I work at now I do a lot of vital signs and assist patients who need bathing, dressing etc, and helpt the nurses do whatever they need.

Its important to know what you can NOT do, like give meds or anything you aren't trained to do, but mostly you are doing the "custodial care"- those everyday things like washing glasses and wiping bums, that people for whatever reason can't do themselves. Oh, and some of them are really confused. Happy nursing assisting...

ava'smomRN · Jan 16, 2005

Helllo! i have been a cna for almost two years, worked in a couple of nursing homes and hated it because the work was overwhelming to do alone. i now work at a hospital on an ortho floor. i however work 3-11 so my day may be a little different. when i come in at 3 i get vitals on all patients, then i"ll check ice bags , give water, fill linen cart,hang i&o sheets, check blood sugars, chart vitals. these duties will usually keep me busy until dinner comes @5, then i help everyone set up and make sure all patients have the correct diet, if not i will try to fix it. at 7 i do vitals again, and use this time as kinda of like "rounds" i will check ice packs and waters and fill any other request. at about 9pm i will start pm care and its usually giving bakc rubs, straightnening out the beds, getting my patients comfterble in bed, helping with showers or bath if it is desired, a this time i will also empty foley's and total i&o sheets, and do a final ice pack and water check, empty linens..... and i think thats a typical day. Now when theres post ops, ususally I am responisible for making sure all neccessary equipment is in the room before the patient arrives. when the patient comes up i am responsible for getting vitals, its usually every15 min*4,then twice an hour for one hour, every hour for four hours, then finally every 4 hours. i think thats it but i know i forgot a couple of things, but thats my typical day, and i must say there has not been a day where i went home unhappy with my job.... at least patient wise!:)

Plagueis · Jan 18, 2005

Thanks, everyone, for answering my questions about CNAs. It sounds like it is a tough job! It seems obvious to me that you all are an important part of the healthcare team. I hope that I am able to have the stamina and patience to do what you all do. The training for the CNA program that I am looking into doesn't come with CPR training, so I am going to get certified either through the Red Cross or American Heart Association. Thank you all again. :)