I'm a secretary right now and am thinking of becoming a CNA to get some hands-on experience in the healthcare field while I go to school to be a nuclear medicine technologist (if I can get accepted). I really love helping people (especially pediatrics) and I had a psychic tell me once that I have "healing hands" (whatever that means).
Anyway I need to know the down and dirty of being a CNA. I want your best and your worst stories. I want to know what all being a CNA means - do I just clean up vomit, change diapers/flush Foleys or is there more? I want to know if you love it - I want to know if you hate it. Nurses - what do you love about your CNA's - and what's your biggest peeve?
I have soooo many questions... Am I only assigned to one specific nurse all the time or do I get rotated? What if my nurse hates me? Am I assigned to only one area of the hospital or will I get to know my patients? Do scrubs come in tall sizes (I'm 5'8)? Do I have to do anything "needle-related"? Do I have to insert catheters? Are CNA's respected or do they just get dumped on? I noticed that most hospitals in the Dallas area want CNA's with 3 months experience or more - where am I supposed to get that if no one will hire me without experience??
HEEEEEEELP!!! Flood me with your knowledge and wisdom....
It's about the same in California, judging by a few people I've worked with
Working as a CNA - you will get down. You will get very, very dirty. I have a saying that unless you have more than one type of body fluid (not yours) on your uniform, it's been a good day.
Typically, on day shift in LTC, I have 8 - 10 pts, 2 or 3 showers, anywhere from 2 - 6 people to get up and dressed (depends on where I'm assigned). A few sets of vitals to get done, beds to make, meal trays to pass, etc etc. 9 patients can be hell on wheels or perfectly reasonable - it all depends on who they are.
Some are pleasantly demented and everything is "wonderful"; others will attempt to beat the CNA giving them a shower. Occasionally, a pt will die - and yes, you have to clean them up, change the sheets, and get them ready for the family / mortuary.
No needles, no meds, no caths, just basic nursing care and being there for your patients.
change diapers/flush Foleys or is there more? I want to know if you love it - I want to know if you hate it. Nurses - what do you love about your CNA's - and what's your biggest peeve?
SaraO'Hara
551 Posts
It's about the same in California, judging by a few people I've worked with
Working as a CNA - you will get down. You will get very, very dirty. I have a saying that unless you have more than one type of body fluid (not yours) on your uniform, it's been a good day.
Typically, on day shift in LTC, I have 8 - 10 pts, 2 or 3 showers, anywhere from 2 - 6 people to get up and dressed (depends on where I'm assigned). A few sets of vitals to get done, beds to make, meal trays to pass, etc etc. 9 patients can be hell on wheels or perfectly reasonable - it all depends on who they are.
Some are pleasantly demented and everything is "wonderful"; others will attempt to beat the CNA giving them a shower. Occasionally, a pt will die - and yes, you have to clean them up, change the sheets, and get them ready for the family / mortuary.
No needles, no meds, no caths, just basic nursing care and being there for your patients.