I start my CNA program on Valentines day. I won't be able to apply for the RN program until this fall and if I get in on the first shot it wont be until fall of 2007. It is not required at my school to be a CNA in order to be accepted for the nursing program, I just want the extra clinical experience.
So, for those of you that are/were CNA's, what is/was your job description and what type of a facility do/did you work in?
Also, I am taking A&P 1 and English this semester, plus I have to work 25-30 hours a week. Am I going to be overloaded? I mean I know it will be challenging but it can be done right?
CNA's aren't allowed in the state of Iowa (d/t out of the scope of practice) I'm curious now, if other states allow non licensed personel to do foley's & blood draws?
Some hospitals train CNA's here to do those types of things. They must be a " specialized CNA" or something.
I worked as a CNA a while back. At the time, I mostly did home health duties, while I was going to college. It was not exhausting as a nursing home would. I had time to study.
I work full-time (40+hrs) as a CNA/PCt (Patient Care Tech) in a hospital and I am taking Micro & Ethics...(what i'm saying is you will achieve what you want just know it will require a lot of studying;)) As a PCT at the hospital ....i do the following
d/c iv's
insert & d/c foleys
bed change
small dressing changes
shave & prep for surgery
v/s
bathing & changing Patients (activities of daily living)
give enema's
glucose checks
and anything else that the nurse wants me to help with
What state are you in coco. In ca most of the things you mentioned are not the scope of practice for CNAS.
Sorry I took so long to respond...12hr shifts are a killer :chuckle I am in Orlando Fl and the major hospitals down here train you to do things i mentioned earlier...i like it cuz i feel more apart of the nursing team ...i'm not just there to do bed & diaper changes...
:balloons: I am a CNA in LTC and work nights with 2 kids and go to nursing school too, I start my RN program in August, but I am doing my prerequisites now full-time. I too decided to be a CNA for the clinical experience, and as someone had previously noted, you can do both if you have the drive and desire. So I wanted to wish you good luck and added support from a fellow student in New York
KEEP SMILING AND NEVER FORGET WHY YOU WANT TO BE A NURSE
I work full-time (40+hrs) as a CNA/PCt (Patient Care Tech) in a hospital and I am taking Micro & Ethics...(what i'm saying is you will achieve what you want just know it will require a lot of studying;)) As a PCT at the hospital ....i do the following
d/c iv's
insert & d/c foleys
bed change
small dressing changes
shave & prep for surgery
v/s
bathing & changing Patients (activities of daily living)
give enema's
glucose checks
and anything else that the nurse wants me to help with
Good luck & hope this helps
Coco
What is the leap from CNA to a PCT?
A PCT is like a halfway point from CNA to LPN...right?
Hi. I want to take the CNA training course at a vocational school. I heard that hospitals don't require CNA without hospital experience. Does anyone know if this is valid?
The only problem I really had was that due to the fast pace of the job and the amount of physical activity, I'd often come home completely exhausted without any motivation to study. So... I would recommend you schedule time for yourself to study on your days off and not guarantee that you'll study when you get home, because I know I had trouble doing that.
Good luck to you! CNA can be a rewarding, if difficult, job. :)
What Megsd said... Good luck! And it's awesome that you're being proactive about this. =)
I am a CNA, I work Friday and Saturdays from 6:30p-7A I have 2 young kids and I am finishing up my pre-reqs this semester. In PA you do not have to be certified but I did take the test. At the nursing home I work at we
Toilet residents, take vitals, change beds, feed, bus tables, shower and generally help the residents with the daily living. The experience is good and they are paying for school. It is alot of physical work but I only work 2 longs days a week so it is not bad and it gives me the week for my school and family.
Achoo!, LPN
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Some hospitals train CNA's here to do those types of things. They must be a " specialized CNA" or something.