as a nursing student will I get more out of working in the ICU as a CNA?

Published

Hello, I'm in school for my RN and have a job as a CNA at my local hospital. I have worked on a med/surg floor since hire and recently went from nights to days. I got a call earlier for a night shift position in the ICU. I have been to the ICU a few times and I'm fascinated by it and think I would learn so much. On the med/surg floor I do baths, vitals, accuchecks, personal care, etc. It can be pretty stressful. The NA's in ICU are taught to do lab draws and also do accuchecks, baths on people who are on vents, turns, etc. I know it is not quite so much personal care because the nurses do a lot of it and help out a lot. (Not saying I'm opposed to doing it). On the floor some nurses are helpful but others not so much and sometimes I feel as if they just make me do whatever it is they are too lazy to, and I get irritated when I'm running around while call lights are going off and the RN's just sit there. It just seems like the ICU would be a great experience, and I also would like to work in the ICU, ER or surgery when I'm an RN and hopefully work up to being a nurse anesthetist so I am VERY eager to learn. The only crappy thing is that nights aren't my most favorite shift and I will be required to work every other weekend instead of every third. If I pass up my better schedule for this opportunity would it be worth it for the learning experience? I really would love advice from CNA's who have worked in critical care! Thanks so much

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Consider this: if you are a very good tech, work hard, team player, you may be offered a job as an RN in the ICU once you have graduated...which is a shortcut to CRNA.

I can't begin to tell you the amount I have learned in my 3 years as an ICU tech. It is an amazing opportunity you'd be foolish to pass up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You have techs in the ICU? Sign me up lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.

As long as you remember that you are there to be a tech first and learn, get more ICU exposure second then I would not pass it up! You are way more likely to be hired in as a new grad to the ICU if you've proved yourself there as a tech first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

In ICU you would definitely be exposed to more medical wise. As you help the nurse with the patient you can ask questions. Sometimes you might get a little rhythm strip lesson if things aren't crazy.

If you are okay with night shift I'd take it. As a PP said if you show your worth and there is an opening you may get a leg up on competition come graduation time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Most icus now want to hire new grads.

Most nurses will recommend a year in med surg prior to working in icu. Med surg allows you to get your skills down pat and usually under less stressful circumstances. You also develop critical thinking during your first year. Icu is critical thinking and critical decisions made in split seconds. I know most are not great critical thinkers right out of school. (I wasnt)

But, on the other hand, if icu is something you are interested in doing, I say take the position. Is the hospital a teaching hospital ? Being a pct in icu will allow you to see the dynamics of icu, and allow you to see if you truly want to work there. Plus, you can show what a good worker you are by already having your foot in the door.

It sounds to me like you really want this job so go for it!

Best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Travel, ICU, PCU.

I started out as a CNA/Secretary in my hospital's ICU/PCU, then went to school for my RN. First off, having done the job was a *huge* advantage in school. Everyone learns differently, but being immersed in the environment will help anyone by bringing perspective to what you're reading/hearing in school. You'll also have access to some very smart people - ask questions whenever there's time for it. And, as several have mentioned, it'll give you a leg up on others if you want to work there as a nurse.

The big thing is to keep your ego in check. I admit I had a hard time with this during my last year in school, and have seen it since from several others. Being "almost a nurse," and being able to do things in clinical makes it very easy/tempting to blow off parts of your job as an aide/tech. Keep your eyes and ears open, and ask questions when there's time, but don't forget that you're there to do a job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have worked in quite a few states and re; CNA Ill tell you this. In the ICU, much of the time, the CNAas aren't allowed perform a lot of duties. Many times, not even blood sugars. If you are truly looking to expand your skills, Id work as a tech in the ER.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU.

I would think you could learn a lot as a tech in the ICU. As an RN in the ICU, if I weren't busy and a tech wanted to learn how to do basic things like priming IV tubing, drawing blood from an arterial line or doing an arterial stick, inserting a foley, interpreting an EKG and other such things, I wouldn't mind showing them and explaining it all. Assuming there are such nurses in the unit where you would work, it could be a valuable opportunity to get that kind of exposure before being in the position yourself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Consider this: if you are a very good tech, work hard, team player, you may be offered a job as an RN in the ICU once you have graduated...which is a shortcut to CRNA.

I can't begin to tell you the amount I have learned in my 3 years as an ICU tech. It is an amazing opportunity you'd be foolish to pass up.

Working as a CNA/tech in the ICU while in nursing school is awesome because fewer things in clinicals will surprise you. If ICU is your goal, you'll already be familiar with protocol, equipment, and SICK patients. That said, 85% of my job is helping with turns, feeding, code browns and other errand-boy type stuff. But the other 15% is inserting Foley's or dobhoffs, or watching docs do cool procedures at the bedside.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU.

YES. The techs I work with get to see so much and we would be lost without them! They have a vast knowledge and responsibility in so many of our bedside procedures. They set up and assist the providers with arterial and central line placement, bolt placement, BIS monitoring, trach/PEG placement, Flotrac monitoring, etc. Someday when I have a little extra time on my hands, I'd like to start trying to learn everything they know, so I could function without them if I had to...It's not uncommon to have multiple level 1 trauma admissions or critical transfers from other floors at the same time, all requiring over an hour of time from the tech as they don sterile masks, gloves, hat and gown and assist with life-saving procedures in the room. When they are nowhere to be found, you KNOW they are probably in a procedure. They are comfortable and confident initiating code blues. They are well known and highly respected by our physicians and surgeons. And between all the chaos and sterile procedures, they still find time to hold the hand of someone who is dying, get to know the families, and ease the suffering. Like I said, we would be lost without them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This was my path and I'm glad I did it. I started as a unit secretary and learned what labs and orders are used on different patients and why. Then I became a CNA and learned my rhythms and how to interpret a 12 lead. The only caveat here is that the job is extremely important. It's easy to get on the bad side of a nurse during busy times and when things go south. Keep focused on the patients first and RN's second!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion