CNA Work In A Hospital

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Hi all, have a question for you. What does a CNA do on a Med Surg Unit in a hospital? I had an interview at a wonderful hospital the other day for this position. They know I do not have any experience (I have a lot of care for family that is considered nursing care) in a facility. The position is on the Med Surg Unit working nights. They wanted me for their unit secretary but I can't work a 3:00 to 11:00. Thanks for your help. I also asked them to let me shadow a CNA on day shift so I could get a feel for the position.

Blessings to all.

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Congratulations on the interview! My local hospital is also hiring med-surg CNA's but the job description on line is very generic, not much help. Also, all CNA positions they've advertised require at least one year of hospital experience. You're so lucky to get in like this! Sorry I could'nt be of help. I'm just happy for you to get this chance, Good Luck!

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I'm trying to get a job in a hospital as well as a CNA, PCA, Tech - different hospitals call them different things. The hospital where I have clinical has PCA's. They do vital signs, get patients up and around and to the bathroom, get patients things that they need, water, etc... They also help patients on and off bedpans if continent. CNA's also provide am and pm care. Get them up in the am and get them ready for bed. They also help them when it is time to eat. They do the blood glucose tests. Sometimes, CNA's have to sit with patients. If a patient is having Resp distress, you might have to sit there and count respirations. These are just a few of the things the CNA's do. Good luck. Med Surg should be fun because you will see all kinds of disease states and post ops there.

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Specializes in ICU, cardiac.

I just started working as CNA in a local hospital. I have worked as a CNA for about 5 months in a LTC facility but jumped on the chance to work in a hospital as soon as I could. They do what was mentioned in the above post, but in addition to bathing, helping w/the bathroom, we get to remove IVs and catheters. I've only worked a few days so far so I am sure I'll be learning a lot more. Good luck!

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Thanks for all the replies! It sounds like it will be very interesting. I am suppose to get a call the end of this week advising about orientation since they are going to work around my school schedule.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Congart's to you on the inteview. I think working in that paticular area would be great!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!

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Specializes in ER,L&D,Med/Surg,OR-Just about everything.
I just started working as CNA in a local hospital. I have worked as a CNA for about 5 months in a LTC facility but jumped on the chance to work in a hospital as soon as I could. They do what was mentioned in the above post, but in addition to bathing, helping w/the bathroom, we get to remove IVs and catheters. I've only worked a few days so far so I am sure I'll be learning a lot more. Good luck!

Jules

I don't know what state you are working in, but you had better check with the board of nursing before you discontinue IV's and catheters. As a general rule these are not part of the approved tasks CNA's are allowed to perform even if the hospital tells you it is. Very often CNA's are given tasks that they are not really supposed to be completing because not all nurses really know what the approved tasks are. If the board of nursing gives their blessing then go for it!! By the way I would just visit the web site of your board of nursing to see if you can find the answer.

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In our state CNAs can't d/c foleys or IVs. I worked as a CNA for 3 years in a med surg long term acute care. My night wld start with baths, foley and or peri care and bed changes that still needed to be done. However, per our protocol no baths after 10pm unless pt requested. I'd get vital signs, turn pts per the specified order, help patients to the bathroom, daily wghts in the morning with am vitals at 5, charting, if patients have tele boxes I usually change batteries and tele pads if needed, stocking rooms with gloves, rapid finger sticks, help who ever needs it, I & Os, etc. Just the basic CNA stuff. My floor was always hopping and it took a little bit of time to adjust because I was new at it but it can be done. Good Luck to you!

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hey,

In my hospital, CNAs/PCTs can start or D/C Foley caths, D/C IV sites, give enemas, get Capillary Blood Glucose via fingerstick, transport patients, do vitals, lab draws etc..and CNA's can be trained to do moniter tech and secretary positions as well as prep patients for surgery among other things.

thx coco

i have worked pulmonary PCU, tele, med surg and currenty mother/baby ;)

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Med/Surg will also have lots of assisting with walks, deep breathing and coughing, incentive spirometry, taking off and putting on SCD's, you'll be exposed to chest tube set ups and handling, ostomy emptying, measuring I&O from food/liquids taken in, urine, emesis out. By the way, typically patients tend to love their CNA's because the aids have a little bit more time to spend with them than the nurses do...hope you're good with TLC. Good luck to you.

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