Just received a job offer for a CNA position in surgical stepdown/SICU.

JSlovex2 · Jun 6, 2011

I was just recently offered a position I interviewed for to be a nurses assistant in a SICU/Surgical stepdown unit. The shift is from 7p-7a.
What is to be expected of me and what will a typical night be like? I have never had a healthcare job, just experience from clinicals that I've done this year. (I've done basic med surg, gerontology, peds and OB) I'm pretty sure I'll be just doing basic patient care, vital signs and things like that.

it's hard to say because every facility is so different. it would help to know how many patients you'll be caring for and how often you'll be getting vitals. when i was a CNA at night i had to get vitals 3x on a 7p-7a shift and i had about 20 patients to care for. it was hell. i was very misinformed that night shift was more "laid back" because as the only CNA on the floor - i literally ran my butt off.

GM2RN · Jun 6, 2011

I would imagine that q4h vitals would be the minimum, but could also be as often as q2h depending on the pt. You could also be doing things like linen changes, helping with bathing, turning, toileting, fetching pillows and water, etc., etc.

Spikey9001, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2011

I believe she said that it's a 13 bed unit. She also said that they'll get less acute patients when the less acute floors become full.

Spikey9001, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2011

I would imagine that q4h vitals would be the minimum, but could also be as often as q2h depending on the pt. You could also be doing things like linen changes, helping with bathing, turning, toileting, fetching pillows and water, etc., etc.

Sounds like all the stuff we did in clinical minus the "RN only" stuff that we did as well.

GM2RN · Jun 6, 2011

Sounds like all the stuff we did in clinical minus the "RN only" stuff that we did as well.

Yup :)

RNperdiem, RN · Jun 6, 2011

In ICU, the job is a little different.

Our CNAs do not do vital signs. But since most of our patients are sedated and intubated, the CNAs help us boost patients up in bed and turn patients every 2 hours.

When patients need transport to CT scan or MRI, the CNA helps push the stretcher, IV and whatever else, along with the RN and the Respiratory therapist.

Each patient room has a supply cart, and the CNAs keep the cart stocked with supplies.

The majority of our CNAs are nursing students, and most of our new grads hired worked as a CNA on our unit (and made a good impression).

GM2RN · Jun 7, 2011

In ICU, the job is a little different.
Our CNAs do not do vital signs. But since most of our patients are sedated and intubated, the CNAs help us boost patients up in bed and turn patients every 2 hours.
When patients need transport to CT scan or MRI, the CNA helps push the stretcher, IV and whatever else, along with the RN and the Respiratory therapist.
Each patient room has a supply cart, and the CNAs keep the cart stocked with supplies.
The majority of our CNAs are nursing students, and most of our new grads hired worked as a CNA on our unit (and made a good impression).

That's true, but I took her post to mean that she would be working in the step-down unit for SICU, not both. I could be wrong, but that's the way it appeared to me.