Hospital CNAs~ Tell me what your shift is like

lorelei1973 · Oct 17, 2009

I work in a psychiatric hospital. It's a state facility, and I work in the forensics part (criminally insane population). Depending on which unit (maximum, medium, or minimum) security I might have to do things like transport a patient to an appointment, help set up for a meal and serve it, supervise showers, take census count for two of the seven or eight hours I work, play a board game or two with a patient, let a patient into the supply room to get towels or toothpaste or something. In max, I might be expected to sit in a chair on a 1:1 where I have to maintain visual contact with someone for an hour to insure they don't commit suicide or hurt someone else.

It's not hard, and none of the CNA skills I learned in school really apply. I know this isn't very helpful if you're looking for typical hospital experiences. But psychiatric hospitals do exist, and they do employ CNAs. The primary expectation of a CNA in a psych hospital is to be therapeutic and to model behavior. I think it's the greatest job ever because the pay is huge comparatively speaking. The main requirement is that you have compassion and understanding for people who are mentally ill. I'd rather see someone improve their ability to cope with reality than watch a wound heal, but that's just me.

Ninja Nurse, ASN · Oct 18, 2009

I work on a Med/Surg floor from 7a-7p. I get to see all sorts of things from total knees to small bowel obstructions to thyroidectomies. I like it. My day starts out with 8 to 10 pts. I have morning vitals(0700) and breakfast reminders as well as blood sugar checks at 0800. Also, alot of people have to void first thing in the morning, so I'm busy fitting those in between. We chart in real time, so I don't really have to worry about going back and charting. After that's done, I go eat a quick breakfast and it's about 0845. I use 0900-1100 to change as much linen and give as many baths and brush teeths as possible. But alot of time I have to see who's going for what procedures when or if they're going to surgery and so on, so I can plan my day. Also if the pt is being dc'd that day, I wont be changing their linen or bathing most likely. Time management is key to everything in this job. Okay so 1100 vitals are due now, as well as blood sugars. Also remind lunch. I think my day gets easier as it goes on usually. I keep an eye out for any labwork that needs to be drawn and I'm constantly asking my Nurses if I can "do" anything for them. Next is 1600 vitals and blood sugars. And this seems to be the time of day when alot of pts rest, take naps, very low key. After that I see if I can "fit" in any baths or linen changes that I couldn't get earlier. But never forget, at least in a hospital, that it's 24 CARE. Meaning, if YOU don't have a chance to do it, SOMEONE ELSE will.

Hope that was helpful and good luck!

NM nurse to be · Oct 18, 2009

Thanks you guys! Both of you had helpful replies :)

My last job was at a pyschiatric treatment facility for kids. It was residential and I was the house supervisor at night. My clients were pretty much the same, just younger. It was a job I enjoyed. Psych is an area I'm interested in, so I may pursue that further.

Chunliorn2b (hope I got that right), that was exactly what I was looking for too. It took me a long time to pick up time management where I am now, so hopefully some of that will translate to a medical floor. At night I have 30 residents now, so anything less seems like a bonus! I worry about time planning, so it's good to see how others do it!

Remilekun · Oct 18, 2009

I will be working 7am to 3pm at a hospital.