Jocieran

Hi, I recently started as an ER tech and had only some CNA experience to go on. I can say I really enjoy it. The biggest thing is to pay attention to what the veterans teach you, learn and remember where important things are in the supply cart, i.e. Central lines, stuff that people will be screaming at you to get ASAP. you will feel incompetent for quite a while, but keep reminding yourself that this type of job requires experience to become truly good, and you only get that over time. Let the nurses know you are there to help when if they need anything, and once they become comfortable with you, and know you'll follow thier directions, they'll pull you in for the fun stuff, i.e. NG tubes, and explain the why's and how's of different procedures. They love showing thier skills to students. Same with Residents. Attendings aren't so open to new techs, but once they see you around after a while, they'll warm up to you. Keep your sunny disposition despite the few (or many) crabby/bitchy/moody people you might work with. They might be burned out, but don't let that bring you down. Look at every new day as an opportunity to learn something new, and remember with that comes the duties that aren't so glamourous, like bedpans, moving 300 lb pts to bed, and trying to get a 5 month old to sit still while the doc sutures a cut. Oh, a little tip, when giving a Psych pt. a meal tray, open all packages/drinks, cut their meat and veggies, and leave only the spoon to eat with, do all this BEFORE you go in thier room (which is probably locked, I hope). That way you can get in and out without being distracted, and gives them less of a chance to hurt you or cut themselves. I figured this out on my own, and even one of the veteran nurses said it never occured to her to do that. That made me smile. Anyway, best of luck, go with the flow, and you'll do just fine.

As a CNA working full time, I understand the ability to become frustrated with the nursing staff if you feel like you are being taken advantage of, underappreciated, ect... But....... You have to remember, there is a food chain in health care, and we, as CNA's are close to the bottom. If you don't want to get stuck with the grunt work and low pay, FURTHER YOUR EDUCATION. It's that simple. Not that it doesn't take tremendous sacrifice, but it really is that simple. Where I work, I know I am one of the best at my job, I know this because I take pride in my work, whether it's assisting with a shower or wiping someone who's soiled themselves. I'm not making 100 grand, but I'm not performing brain surgery either. Sometimes CNA's take themselves too seriously. I know there are plenty of lazy - LAZY - CNA's. I have worked with some really lazy ones. I also work with some really caring, hardworking individuals who really focus on making sure the residents/patients needs are the first priority. The nature of CNA work is to provide basic patient care and hopefully some TLC, since the Nurses, REALLY are too busy with thier responsibilities to spend an extended amount of time with them. Take advantage of the opportunity you have to bring some sunshine in someone's day, someone being a LTC resident who probably doesn't have alot of positive human contact in his/her life on a daily basis, instead of griping about how unappreciated you are. Sometimes we forget that we might be the only person that day who will touch them, or speak to them. Even if it is dressing or brushing their hair. Take pride in that, look at it as a small gift you can give to mankind. Whatever it takes to make you excited about your work. Offer to help or observe the nurse do some advanced care, you'll learn something new and they'll appreciate another set of hands. Observe and report changes in their condition, people will notice you care about your responsibilities. And remember what you've seen and learned and GO TO NURSING SCHOOL. Take one class at time until you can go full time. Advance yourself. Then you'll have an advantage over all those trixies who graduate from school with no experience aside from thier clinicals. Anyway, Lay off the nurses, we really don't know their jobs until we have that kind of responsibility on our shoulders. This sounds pretentious and I don't mean it to be, but if you are not part of the Solution you are part of the Problem. Remember it doesn't cost anything to keep your compassion intact. Don't let a few negative people stop you from doing what you love as a career. Anyway, that's my 2 cents, I have to go to work.

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it. :)

Hi, I found out today I got a position as a PCT in the ER (Level 1 Trauma) of a local hospital. :balloons: My CNA experience is only in Nursing Home during my clinicals of CNA class, and assistive living. I know that is basicly nothing. I am going to get about 2 months of training, before I get put out on my own to fend for myself. I'm the type to bust my butt, and very self-motivated, but I would appreciate any advice on the big "What not to do, EVER" types of things, and any tips you experienced nurses want to share. My goal is to be an EXCELLENT Tech, while pursuing my nursing degree, and use my experiences to make me an EXCELLENT R.N. But, I will be a Tech for a quite a while until I'm done with school, so I want to excell at that right now, and be the type that the staff can rely on. I feel like I have a great opportunity to become exposed to so many different experiences working in Emergency Medicine, so I want to get the most out of this. I just want to earn the respect of my collegues, and have them know they can depend on me (to do things right). I want to be really good. So.....Any pointers? :)

Hello there, I just wanted to say the burn unit topic is very interesting, please feel free to share more details, I am SO incredibly interested in working in a burn unit when I am done with school, or maybe as a CNA first. Oh, Today is my first post. Hope you are all doing great. I am a CNA finishing up my prerequisites to enter a nursing program sometime in '07 I hope (lots of math and science to take). I am a massage therapist by training but have been doing the CNA thing since the summer. I am trying to get enough experience to get hired at a Hospital here in Chicagoland, but right now I'm stuck at an assisted living center. Pros - Senior Citizens can be really fun to work with (really! :) Cons - Crap Money and not much real experience Anyway, hearing you guys share details and such keeps me excited about the end result of all these chemistry and algebra classes. I have always wanted a job where I could be compassionate but that is challenging too. Thanks for listening to the Lowly CNA. :) Jocelyn in Chicago