Pediatric CNA

Missingyou, CNA · Jun 13, 2014

I all of my 20 plus years of being a CNA I've never heard of anyone working with pediatrics. The job opportunities are rare. I wouldn't get your hopes up too much. Especially if you are a new CNA. :no:

duskyjewel · Jun 13, 2014

I work for a hospice company that runs a pediatric inpatient hospice and respite-care unit. I don't have tons of experience but I have been working it on a fairly regular basis for about the last three months. I float, so I work all our units, mostly with adults, but maybe 3 or 4 times a month I will work peds.

I also have a friend who is a CNA/tech in a PICU. Phoenix Children's Hospital hires CNAs, I've applied there. Maybe it's regional, because there are definitely peds CNA jobs in Phoenix Metro. Not tons of them, but they're out there.

What did you want to know? I'll answer as best I can from my limited experience.

stargurl2006 · Jun 13, 2014

I work on an inpatient pediatric floor as a CNA and unit secretary. Most of the parents of complex medical kids are very hands-on in the care of their children. Usually the trach kids stay at IMC level or higher during their admission. As the CNA, we take vitals and assist with baths (if the parents want). I work nights, which is responsible for the baths & weights of anyone under 12 months of age. Other than that, we assist the nurses as needed.

I can tell you that it was very difficult to get onto my floor. I spent 2 years working long-term care. I then was hired into a different hospital on a medical-surgical floor, where I worked for a year before I interviewed for my current position. With that said, I do love my job.

happyinmyheart · Jun 13, 2014

I work on an inpatient pediatric floor as a CNA and unit secretary. Most of the parents of complex medical kids are very hands-on in the care of their children. Usually the trach kids stay at IMC level or higher during their admission. As the CNA, we take vitals and assist with baths (if the parents want). I work nights, which is responsible for the baths & weights of anyone under 12 months of age. Other than that, we assist the nurses as needed.
I can tell you that it was very difficult to get onto my floor. I spent 2 years working long-term care. I then was hired into a different hospital on a medical-surgical floor, where I worked for a year before I interviewed for my current position. With that said, I do love my job.

It's very impressive you've managed to land that job!! How neat :)

ksw1978 · Jun 13, 2014

Thanks for your replies!

The position I'm interviewing for is in a nursing home for children with varied complex needs. All of them are fed by g-tube, and from what I understand the majority are mentally at age 18 months or below. It's a rare opportunity to work with a niche pediatric population. The HR manager is keen to interview me despite the fact I have no CNA experience as they are trying to encourage a level of "home style" based care for these children and I've worked professionally with infants through age 5 in their homes for 20 years nearly. They want someone who knows very well how to handle the developmental age behaviors and mentality of the children in the center and who is able and willing to learn the clinical aspect of things on the job. It's a rare opportunity and I'm keen to jump on it! It'll mean taking my CNA course next month then hopefully starting work there the month after!

I do have a bunch of questions but I'm going to ask them at the interview today first. I'd love to hear more about your experiences though. Especially with how to emotionally handle the high mortality rate and also the fact some of these children have been abandoned by their families?