Hospital CNA

[jhaf07]

Hi. I am a nursing student, beginning the clinical portion of my program in 2 weeks (yay!). I have been applying for a CNA position in a few local hospitals, and actually got called for an interview at the hospital where I'll be doing my clinicals (this was after I exchanged emails with HR there and they told me all 4 of my apps were not considered for employment, I dont get it lol, but I wont complain). I am very excited but have no idea what to expect.

I have not worked in 5 years, I left the work force to care for my kids before they reached school age, day care costs about as much as my monthly pay, and to start the pursuit for my nursing degree. I have only worked in LTC facilities, which I feel is good practice given the hectic and stressful environment that LTC's have. So I have never worked as an aid in a hospital setting, Im looking for advice from anyone with experience. My sister has been a CNA at a hospital for 4 yrs on the oncology unit, she has never worked in LTC, but she tells me the hospital is not difficult.

My iinterview is for ICU, I am way excited for all of the great experience I will gain while in school, but scared at the same time because I am not used to caring for acute patients with tons of moniters. So does anyone work in ICU as an aid and could maybe share their experience?

FYI: the nursing program that I am attending is on a part time basis, class 2 evenings a weeks for 4 hrs, clinicals every other weekend dayshift and I will only be working part time, 24 hrs/week, night shift. Two of my 3 children will be in school all day so I have no doubt that I can pull all this off, just a little nervous because of the unknown. Also, I have not interviewed for a job in 7 yrs lol, I could use pointers for this also.

Thanks!

[Loloberry]

Congrats on getting the interview! I work on a medical/cardiac unit but have been floated to the ICU quite a bit. It may not be the same everywhere, but whenever I work in the ICU the only thing I do are baths and brief changes. The nurses where I work take all of the vitals themselves. Since the acuity is so much higher in the ICU the nurses are much more involved in the patient care. Although I am allowed to do a lot more on my unit, being in the ICU is such a great learning experience! If you work with nurses that are willing to answer questions about a patient and their treatment then I think it would be such a good experience! I am not in a nursing program yet, but what I've learned from being a CNA at a hospital has been invaluable! GOOD LUCK!

[MissMcCoy]

I am in the same situation. I have not been in the work force for the last 7 years due to being a stay at home mom. I just went back to school to become an aide. We are half way through the course and I have been applying all over the place.

I just got a job in a group home, which I LOVE. However I just got called in for an interview at the hospital (in LTC). I am kind of excited as it is the experience that I want before going on to nursing school. It is also a big foot in the door for getting a job as a nurse once I am done with the education.

My issue is I have NEVER been interviewed for a job at a hospital. It is so important to me I don't want to mess it up! I want to go in prepared and ready for what they could toss my way.

In my last interview (Where I got the job) they asked me a question about when I had to make an important decision... I was like uggghhh... Even as a mother of two I cannot think of having made an 'important' decision! haha.

Anyway I would also LOVE anyones advice on hospital setting interviews!