Nurse Aide.... But Not

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

I am looking for a second job because my job now only has 2 twelve hour shifts... noon to midnight and midnight to noon. I work in a group home with MRDD individuals. So with school it is impossible to get hours during the week. I work Fridays and everyother Saturday and Sunday.

AND LISA IS BROKE!

So a hospital close to me trains you to be a nurse tech/aide BUT you arent trained to take the certification test. Just to work for them.

Should I do this? I could maybe squeeze in every other weekend and one or two days a week. I am just scared I will get overwhelmed.

what would you do??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.

I'm confused. Are you not already a CNA or trained as one then? The hospital I (will hopefully) work for has mandatory training even if you are already a CNA. I have to say it has helped me being a CNA already though because I got in on a Nurse Tech II position instead of a NT I which means I will have more responsibility and be able to perform more proceedures like NG tubes and Foley's.

So far, I've found the hospital to be less intimidating than a nursing home. The pt load is about the same but in the hospital, everyone really works together whereas in the nursing home, you were on your own which really sucked for transfers of lg pts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No I am not a CNA. I am a "residential assistant" i pass meds, transport individuals in wheelchairs, and I do basic living assistance.... all off a weekends worth of training.

The shifts kill me. I WISH I could find some phlebotomy courses starting in the summer.... no luck so far

Up Vote Up Vote ×

wow.... you PASS MEDS as an untrained assistant????? scary stuff. have you had any kind of pharmacology class? training in meds??? I'm scared to death sometimes giving meds, and I'm a BSN student, with a Sr student and/or my CI checking me off on the meds before giving them. I didn't know UAP could pass meds???

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.

I don't think it will be as overwhelming as you think it will be. They don't just throw you to the wolves. In the hospital I work at, they put you through an orientation so you don't have a full pt load on your first day. Right now mine is set at 4 days but my manager said if I feel like I need more, to let her know and she'll set me up. She's great. Then after my orientation, I'll have a full load which is 11 pts on a full house. Our unit is only 22 private beds so there are two techs per shift and the RN's are GREAT at helping the techs out when they have time because the pt ratio is low in this unit. There are usually 6-8 RN's per shift on the unit.

I don't have to have my CNA license for this job either but I'm going to take the test only because I've already paid my money (I signed up before I interviewed for this job). I wouldn't worry too much about taking the state exam if the place you work at doesn't require it. The skills are the same no matter what.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
No I am not a CNA. I am a "residential assistant" i pass meds, transport individuals in wheelchairs, and I do basic living assistance.... all off a weekends worth of training.

The shifts kill me. I WISH I could find some phlebotomy courses starting in the summer.... no luck so far

What type of meds are you passing?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It sounds good, but your employment would be limited to just that hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi guys! I recently finshed school for CNA in march I have my license but i havent been able to find employment. I live in the Atlanta area. I applied for a few positions but was told I need one year experience. how can i get that if no one will hire me? I dont want to forget what i learned in class and like lisa "I AM BROKE" any advice????

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.

Where are you applying? If you're applying to a hospital and they won't hire you, then go to a nursing home for a while.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Someone told me today that it may not be affective applying for the positions online which thats what i have been doing on a daily basis so on next week i will go to the hospitals directly...hope that works

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.

Good luck! When I wasn't hearing from them, I also started calling HR and I think I talked to just about every nurse recruiter that is there! I got the job a week later. Let us know how it goes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello Everyone,

I am a newby to this thread but I have a question I was interested about going to cna school. When I mention it to my friend and family they turned their nose up at me. What is it about being a cna that is so unattractive. I don't mind blood too much but I cannot stand the site of feces

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment