In Pittsburgh, CNA/Nursing student??

[mskate]

My friend is a 2nd year nursing student in pittsburgh, not a CNA but would like to get a job as nursing assistant in the hospital. I know when I was a student, it wasnt a problem. but she was told by a nursing home that she needs to have her cna to work!

is this a new regulation or likely a facility stipulation? ideas?

[kalley]

I think a facility stipulation. I was offered a position as a Nurse Assistant Trainee in a LTC facility a little north of Pittsburgh with no experience. If she checks out the websites of the hospitals in pittsburgh they will often take a NS that has completed their first year of clinicals without any further training.

[rn4lyfe08]

I know for sure that the Children's Institute hires people without having a CNA. It became full of nursing students about a year ago. Some graduated and are now nurses there, others I'm sure left (such as myself). I got hired after my 1st sem. of nsg school.

It is a pediatric rehab facility but frequently has acute cases like brain injurs, SCI, etc. Their website is www.amazingkids.org . I don't know if they're hiring, but it doesn't hurt to call and ask. They also pay a little more than some LTC facilities. Typical PT assignment is 4-5 pts on Peds. You provide most of the care though as there is only 1 "charge nurse". You do almost everything from tube feeds, to pin care, to bladder scanning and cathing. The RN mainly passes meds, does trach care, and wet-to-dry dressings, and follows up on the pt per your report. It's a great place to learn and practice new skills. A lot of autonomy. You give and get oral report so it's a good chance to learn and brush up. And some days you'll actually get to "supervise" nursing students...wierd I know but still cool. Most people love working there.

They also have a behavior/ Prader Wili Syndrome pt unit. It is a completely diff. world. Not as much technical nursing stuff. Some people are crosstrained for both units like I was so anything goes.

Enough of me rambling...check it out for yourself. You may have to be a bit persistent, but it pays off. Also there you can be hired as PT or casual and still work a full-time schedule. Casual pool pay is less than PT. Pt is same as FT.

Hope this helps.

[MrsPratt06]

UPMC has a staffing agency called Vital Staffing that would be good if your friend does not need benefits. Its a casual position with good pay. You schedule your own hours & days. Only requirement is that you need to work @ least one shift every 3 months. You don't have to be certified, I got a job with them & i only had 1 year of experience in another UPMC hospital. If you need any info let me know. It's a perfect job for a student and you don't have to kill yourself working so much because the pay is nice. I usually work 64 hrs while going to school full-time & i havent had any problems