AprilCNA

Working as a CNA definately helps, and you will gain a lot of expierence. When it comes time for clinicals, it will be that much easier. I work in a hospital and find the nurses really helpful and show me lots of things. I can't do them yet, but by teaching me and letting me see hands on will make it easier when it's time for clinicals. I see nursing students now on my floor, who come to me for help, and it's a good feeling to know that I'll be all set when the time comes. I'd say to work in a hospital as a CNA than LTC, you'll see a lot more and gain much more expierence! Good luck!

Definately don't be worried! I see a lot of new grads and new RN's who have never worked on the floor and do just fine :) Go into it with an open mind and know that you will see and learn a lot of new things :) I was scared at first as a CNA , granted we don't have as much work to do with meds,charting etc, but once I got used to the floor I grown to love it and plan on staying when done with nursing school. Good luck and I believe you will enjoy it :)

I'm currently working as a CNA in a hospital and i'm in nursing school. I was wondering if nurses (new grad w/ 2yr degree) would earn more working in a hospital or other setting such as home care, agency, doctors office etc.? The hospital I work in now is a non-profit catholic hospital so I know the starting pay ($21.50), may be less than other bigger hospitals or healthcare settings. I'd like to have a general idea which may help me decide where to work when I'm done with school. Thanks and any feedback is greatly appreciated! :):typing

I'd check all ur local colleges. I go to a community college and they offer AP 1 and 2 year round. I'd advise to not take AP1 and 2 at the same time though, AP1 is pretty tough by itself and you really need to know that foundation before proceeding to the second A&P. Good luck!

i'm so glad that you posted this because i'm studying to take mine as well. my college doesn't offer any prep classes for the net,but we were able to buy a study guide that was written by the makers of the net. it seems to be pretty helpful and many classmates said it helped them a lot. here's the info in case you don't have it and want to find/buy it: study guide for the net,the hobet,the help entrance tests. put out by: educational resources, inc. www.eriworld.com 1800-292-2273 good luck!

i work at a small hospital on the med/surg and the ratio is usually 1:4-6

as mentioned above, it depends on what you are looking for in a career and which setting. as a cna you will gain a ton of expaierence if you plan on going into nursing, and will have many different work settings to chose from. medical assisting would be great and is usually found in doctors offices and other medical office settings, as well as medical coding. medical coding would be more desk work, medical assisting varying from desk to foot work, and cna work is on your feet ; slow to fast paced. good luck with your choice

I know in Maine nursing students can work as a CNA after one year, but this changes from state to state. I'd check with your state and company for further info. Good Luck!

In maine, a new RN with an associates degree working evenings in a hospital will start out at about $54,000:nurse:

I've worked in the med/surg floor as an aide for two years, and I feel as though I'm quite comfortable with my skills,also in nursing school I'd be apt to go to the er too or back to med surg. I think you have an advantage with working in the er already, and if you feel like your ready for the er than id say go for it. hospital expierence for cna prepares us a lot once we cross the bridge as an RN. If your dream is to work in the ER i'd say go for it! And don't worry about the other nurses, they can be harsh on any floor, you can only do the best you can and everyone has to start somewhere.

It's a very cute nursing dress, but I don't know how pratical it would be to wear in a hospital or health care setting. With all the bodily fluids, MRSA, etc that we're exposed to in the nursing field, I'd want to wear pants to protect myself. Maybe cute for a doctors office?? good luck

Good job for addressing the issue! :)

Was the patient taking in fluids? I see the nurses on my floor, and if they have a post op, or any patient with an output less than 250ml, they call the doc and get it resolved before their 8hr shift is up. 16 hrs is a long time to go before someone addressed it. If in doubt call.

I don't think it's a hard floor, but from my perspective, the CPM's are a little heavy at first, but after awhile my arms are looking pretty toned and if proper body mechanics are used they won't bother the back. I find the floor less heavy, because the patients are getting up and ambulating for the most part the day after surgery, where as the cardiac floor I find heavy-more total care and heavy patients. The floor is busy with the constant adminstering of pain meds, but I think once you get into the groove, you will enjoy it. I know as a CNA my eyes were bugged eyed when I first started on the floor, but now I'm loving the fast pace and looking towards finishing nursing school to work as an RN on the floor. Good Luck!

At the hospital I work at on the ortho floor, there is CNA's on the floor. For RN's, they have 4-5 patients and an aide( the aide may have 6-12pts tho). The RN's there would never get 4 or 5 patients that were all total care.We go by acutity, maybe 2 of the 5 patients assigned. RN's at my hospital seem to get stressed from having too many post-ops or er admits, than total care. But the CNA's help out with the total care,but if the floor didn't have any CNA's, each nurse shouldn't have anymore than one total care, but we all know that isn't always the case. Good Luck!