I got more questions XD

nguyency77, CNA · Feb 15, 2012

The only answer I can really answer is the hospital one.

I started out when I was 16 years old as a volunteer at my hospital. I just passed out water and kept some of the elderly patients company. After a while, the med-surg staff liked me enough to give me CNA/PCT training. They let me follow CNA and nurses. I would help with things like making beds, feeding, etc. Now, I am 18 and work as a CNA while going to college.

Thomas_Spence · Feb 16, 2012

That sounds alright, I could do that! Thanks! I hope I can get something like that! Would I need any type of qualifications?

nguyency77, CNA · Feb 16, 2012

I'm not sure how different the law might be in your state, but at that hospital they did a background check and drug test on me. I also had to get a TB test done (you have to get it probably once a year in most places; they just give a shot under the skin and check it a few days later to make sure you've never been exposed to tuberculosis... which you probably haven't!(: ) and I had to pass a short interview. Then I went to orientation, where they teach you what the hospital codes (red, blue. We had code pink, because it was a women's hospital) and what to do in a fire, etc.

If you do plan on volunteering, you will not be allowed to do anything involving actually taking care of patients, because that's a legal issue. But things like passing water, making beds, watching people take vital signs and whatnot are really important!

When I got my first CNA job, the staff was amazed at how well I could do my work. That was because I had spent 6 or 7 months watching and learning.

Make sure you ask lots of (good) questions while you're a volunteer. The people you volunteer for may be very good references in the future when you're looking for a job, so don't make a bad impression!

I wish I could answer your other questions, but I'm not a nurse.

Good luck:)

Thomas_Spence · Feb 17, 2012

I did expect such tests, I'd be suspicious if they didn't ask I've no problems with that, I have never taken drugs and have relatives who were in healthcare, and I haven't broken any laws I doubt I've been exposed to it xD I'm really looking forward to it know

I would do volunteer work, well if it's the only thing available, I'll do it but I need to save for the college I want to go to, chance's are if I get enough money together myself, my parents will pay the rest ^^ That's the main reason I would like to do it for pay, since I wouldn't be able to do as much as a volunteer since I'll have to work for pay as well (Wow, I'm confusing)

Either way, I'll make sure to ask questions I really hope that whatever hospital likes me

Thank you, it's alright, I'm sure someone will

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Feb 17, 2012

I was wondering, how much free time do you generaly get as a nurse? And how much during Nursing school?

Do you mean during a shift, during the week, what? If you're talking about how much time you get to yourself in a typical hospital shift, the answer is "be happy you get lunch". But that's work in general: you're paid to work, after all, and have specified breaks. Some jobs are more relaxed than others, some are quite hectic. And no one can tell you which you'll have one day.

How many hours is each day in nursing school? I mean like in highschool you do like 8 hours a day, is more, less, the same?

Again, varies greatly. You might have some days with only one class or one skills lab that day. And some days when you get there at 7 am and don't see daylight until 8 pm. Do you have a test coming up, or a skills evaluation? More time at school. There is no one set schedule, like high school...when you register for college classes, you might have a choice of Class A on Monday mornings OR Tuesday afternoons, OR Monday/Wednesdays less time each day but twice in the same week....like that. Everyone chooses their class times based on their own family and work schedules, and whether another class they want/need is at the same time.

What was your first day in Nursing School like? How was your first day as a nurse? How long did it take you to adapt?

#1: I can't remember :) #2: It was fast-paced, exhausting, made me feel both amazingly great that *I* was a *NURSE* and kinda like an idiot because I obviously had so much more to learn. #3: Varies greatly.....I didn't feel like I was really one of the "real" nurses until about a year in. Before that, I was always "the new nurse" :)

Since I can start working next year I was wondering, how many jobs are avalible to 16 year olds in hospitals, generaly that is? I'd like to do something in the hospital here to get a feel of it....

For a sixteen year old? Nothing at all that I can think of, except I think I'd contact the volunteer desk and see what they might have to offer. A work permit at 16 is one thing but working in the liability-laden arena of a hospital is kinda limited.

Thank you!

You're welcome :)

Thomas_Spence · Feb 18, 2012

I meant a week, I figured it would only be lunch during a shift, should of been more clear ^^'

That's fair enough, the whole 7-8 is scary, but I'm sure I could manage, probably not, but, I'll certainly give it a shot And if you can choose, then that makes it better

Well, that sounds, challenging, but fun! Considering some of the things I've heard, I have the strangest feeling I'll cry on my first day, but ya' know XD And I figured as much, it does take awhile to feel like your part of it, like when I moved, I only just started feeling like I'm supposed to be here.

I've heard of people doing things like changing beds, keeping patients company, things like that, back home teenagers were allowed to serve food, I wasn't expecting anything bigger than changing beds