New CNA just got hired at a hospital-need advice

tigerlogic · Mar 29, 2013

What you do will depend a lot of the specifics of the unit. Probably vital signs, showers/baths/hygiene, ambulation and toileting will be your priorities. But blood sugars, emptying drains, or doing one-on-one with high risk patients may be on your agenda. You can only really learn about your ideal routine after you start working on the unit.

Words of wisdom from a hospital float CNA:

If its your responsibility to do something by a certain time but then can't for some reason (surprise enosis clean up, someone fell, whatever) let the nurse know so they can do it on time.

Know the guidelines of when to report something to the nurse (I.e. temp above 38 etc).

Focus on patient safety--fall risks, aspiration, potential for pulling IVs, tripping risk on Foleys etc.

If you have a free moment, ask what you can do to help. It makes a big difference.

Good luck! It's a lot of fun!

JDZ344 · Mar 29, 2013

You should have a time of orientation. Hopefully you will be paired with somebody who is willing to show you exactly what you are supposed to be doing.

funtimes · Mar 30, 2013

Looks like a fairly accurate rough outline of what your day will be like, except you may be doing a LOT more vitals if this is on a med/surg unit. Surgical patients may require vitals every 15 minutes when they first get up on the floor. Other patients will require more vitals because of meds they are on or because of some abnormal vitals or their condition is deteriorating.

You also left out answering call lights, which has to be done continually in between all the other tasks. Emptying drains and Recording I/O as well, Helping to admit and discharge patients, which will also happen periodically throughout the shift. Other non routine tasks will pop up as well, for instance maybe a patient has to be put in restraints, and then you have to monitor them and loosen their restraints continually, or maybe someone is confused and needs more one on one care for a time.

As for recording I/O, its pretty simple. You record everything that goes in, how much they eat and drink...and everything that comes out, usually in the form of urine and stool, and occasionally emesis. If there is an NG tube or drain of some sort, that will get drained periodically, either by you or the Nurse. Make sure you know if you are the one who drains and records it and how often you are expected to do it.

If you dont know how to do something, make sure you ask. Guessing usually isnt a good idea.

Purple93 · Mar 30, 2013

Okay so I went to IT&S Orientation today to learn how to use the computer systems and how to enter patient info, etc. There are a few things that I was not familiar with b/c my CNA class did not cover them. I've never heard of the terms sp02%, ivpb and 02 flow l/m. What are they and how do I calculate them? Please help thank you :)

funtimes · Mar 30, 2013

Spo2 refers to Oxygen Saturation, which is measured using a pulse oximeter(the thing that goes on their finger). Its recorded as a percentage. Normal Spo2 for most people would be say 93% to 100%. O2 flow is how much supplemental oxygen they are receiving. Usually through a nasal cannula, O2 Mask or Non Rebreather mask. The flow rate is measured in liters per minute and is adjusted by a gauge the tubing is connected to. There is usually a little ball that floats at the level the O2 is flowing at in the guage. Dont change someones oxygen flow rate unless you have permission, and for that matter dont mess with anyones oxygen unless you know what your doing and have permission.

I'm just telling you this to be helpful, but you need to have it all explained to you and shown to you by whoever is training you, and if something isnt clear then ask them.

Alexandra4rmtexas, ADN, RN · Mar 30, 2013

Okay so I went to IT&S Orientation today to learn how to use the computer systems and how to enter patient info etc. There are a few things that I was not familiar with b/c my CNA class did not cover them. I've never heard of the terms sp02%, ivpb and 02 flow l/m. What are they and how do I calculate them? Also in my CNA book from class it says what the normal ranges are for intake and output and my teacher briefly went over it but we never actually practiced it so I have no clue how to go about that either. Please help thank you :)[/quote']
The spO2 is how much Oxygen they are carrying in their blood Cells, it os measured on the finger, I forgot the mame of it. It is a clip with a little red light that os placer over the nail. O2 flow L/m Is only uf they are on a Oxygen cannula, if the Oxygen delivery is mounted on the Wall there will be a floating metal Bead in a tube on the Wall, the line crossing the middle of the bead is ur measurement in numbers. Usually patients will be placed on 2 liters of O2% , that is if the bead is floating on the measurement of 2 uf it is mounted on the wall. On the I & O intake, Intake is the percentage of food eaten in a meal and mL of fluid consumed during ur shift documented usually as cc's. one cup is 250 cc. Output is how many mL are measured when empyting a bedpan in which a patient has urinated, or empyting a foley catheter bag, or any amount of fluid the pt has excreted. The I&0 is compared by the doctors and nurses the detect ajy fluid retention indicating renal function, heart failure, or distented bladder post surgery in a patient. The I &O is very important

Purple93 · Mar 30, 2013

Okay thank you so much! We have to enter those things into the system and I was highly confused but when I go to my unit on Monday I will definitely ask them. I don't feel comfortable doing something I've never done without being shown how but I just wanted to at least know what they were. So you guys were very helpful thank you so much.

rrrs444230 · Mar 30, 2013

wow! it's great that you were able to find a job at a hospital! I'm currently in a CNA course and have no previous healthcare experience and wanted to know if anyone out there was able to find a job. How long did it take you to find this job (if u don't mind me asking)? Best of luck on monday! I'm sure you'll figure out the flow of the unit in no time!

JDZ344 · Mar 30, 2013

Okay so I went to IT&S Orientation today to learn how to use the computer systems and how to enter patient info, etc. There are a few things that I was not familiar with b/c my CNA class did not cover them. I've never heard of the terms sp02%, ivpb and 02 flow l/m. What are they and how do I calculate them? Please help thank you :)

I see people answered, I just wanted to say that you will pick up all these terms as you go, don't be afraid to ask questions.

Purple93 · Mar 30, 2013

I started my class Sept. 2012 and it ended Dec. 8, 2012. I applied to a bunch of jobs in December when I was done, about 30. I got hired by a home health agency in Feb. but it didn't work b/c I have no car (but the woman who hired me said it would be okay and she would give me patients on the bus line). I also told here that I needed to know a day in advance for a job assignment b/c of the bus but they continued to notify me the day of. Anyway, out of the blue a hospital called me about two weeks ago and I went in for three interviews with them and they hired me! I couldn't believe it b/c I have barely any work experience in life at all. I got hired on the med/surg unit along with 4 other CNA's who have a lot of experience and I'm the only one who is a newbie. They also hired a brand new CNA like me for the post partum unit and we were both talking about how blessed we were to to new and get in at a hospital. I honestly expected only nursing homes would hire me but trust me you can definitely do it. Apply to every hospital in your area even if they say you have to have experience. If you get to the interview let them know that you're a quick learner and that you are a determined person. Good luck!

Purple93 · Mar 30, 2013

wow! it's great that you were able to find a job at a hospital! I'm currently in a CNA course and have no previous healthcare experience and wanted to know if anyone out there was able to find a job. How long did it take you to find this job (if u don't mind me asking)? Best of luck on monday! I'm sure you'll figure out the flow of the unit in no time!

Hey! I replied to you already but then I went to your page and noticed that you are taking your class at HCC. That's were I took mines (at the West Loop Campus).