Orthopedic Station CNA?

[jval]

Hi there! I just passed my CA CNA examination today! :yelclap: Whoo hoo!

I've been hired full time as a CNA at a large facility that has multiple stations. We have an LTC, a short term, an Alzheimer's Care Unit, an Acute ACU, and an Orthopedic Center of Excellence in which patients are recovering from orthopedic surgeries. I've been hired for the OCE! I'm very excited, however my experience is with Alzheimer's and LTC...

What can I expect working with patients recovering from surgery? What is an orthopedic station like? If any charge nurses are reading this; any tips or advice for a CNA? :)

Any insight is greatly appreciated!

Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful weekend!

[RNperdiem, RN]

When I was a CNA in ortho, my biggest task was getting patients to the bathroom and back. Almost nobody who is a patient in ortho can get up and moving independently.

Nurses in orthopedics depend heavily on their CNAs.

Skills to get familiar with include vital signs(frequent for post-operative patients), assisting with ambulation, assisting with repositioning in the bed, an a knowledge of restrictions on movement(when in doubt, ask the nurse).

[jval]

Thanks, RNperdiem! I didn't really think about the increase in vitals recording. I'm excited! I've been in my facility's OCE once or twice before and it's so quite and peaceful in there compared to the other stations. Are there still activities going on or is it just recovery?

[JDZ344]

I've worked in ortho. Be prepared for lots of heavy patients who can't mobilise too well. Many will be restricted to the bed. Quite a few will be old and have dementia and be high falls risk- possibly having fallen and fractured something prior to surgery. Some will be young, elective surgery.

Expect lots of calls with pain med requests so lots of going to find the nurse, frequent vitals, I+O monitoring. Lots of mobilising and ambulating as needed.

[JDZ344]

Thanks, RNperdiem! I didn't really think about the increase in vitals recording. I'm excited! I've been in my facility's OCE once or twice before and it's so quite and peaceful in there compared to the other stations. Are there still activities going on or is it just recovery?

There will still be activities. Physical Therapy and OT will be active there for one.