milliemack15

Hi all, I've been a CNA for two years in a LTACH/LTC facility, and was just recommended for a CNA job in the NICU by a family member of a resident I've cared for for the last year and a half or so. The family member has seen my work and is currently unit manager in the NICU at a local hospital and thinks I would be a good fit. I have loved working in long term care, but I'm about to graduate from nursing school next semester and I feel like it's a pretty cool opportunity. Since my only nursing experience is in a LTACH, what can I expect in the NICU as far as CNA/Nurse Apprentice duties? What do CNA's do on a daily basis in the NICU? I&O? Vitals? Feeding? I have no experience with preemies or very fragile babies so I am a little nervous. I have my interview this week with the DON and if all goes well orientation in 2 weeks. Thanks in advance for any insight you can give me as far as what this job will entail!

Very true! This is the first healthcare job I've ever had and it's way different. I really appreciate the feedback.

That is awesome advice, and brings up some really good things for me to work on. Thank you!

I see where you're coming from, but it's getting really old to feel like no one else really cares. There are some really awesome CNA's who I love working with because they do great work, but I have a hard time with the ones who try and make me feel bad for doing my job the best I can. Maybe my expectations for my coworkers aren't realistic- or maybe I am wrong for having expectations for them at all.

I've worked at this facility for a little over 9 months. I like the work, I really like the management and the residents, and if they were to give me a good job offer after graduation I would seriously consider it... even though I don't really think LTC is my "calling" if you will. I'm always friendly to my coworkers but it gets frustrating when I feel like there are only a few of us who really care.

I totally agree. I am really mindful of this because I don't like to pick up other people's slack, so I don't want anyone else to pick up mine. Its just frustrating because to me it's not "just a job", its something I really care about!

I am a second semester ADN student who is working as a CNA in a LTC facility until I graduate. I honestly don't really love geriatrics, but I have passion and drive for nursing so I always do my best at work and try to go the extra mile with the residents. I am pretty quiet by nature and tend to keep my head down and do my work instead of sitting around and gossiping with the other girls on my shift. There is a handful of other CNA's who aren't in school that are vicious to me, always calling me a goody two shoes, kiss *** and teachers pet because the nurses know that I am in school, and will often let me observe procedures as a learning experience. I really like my facility and the nurses I work with, but I can't stand how catty some of these other girls I work with are. I feel like they just don't take their jobs as seriously as me and that bothers me and motivates me at the same time. I thought about mentioning it to my DON in my performance review next week, but I'm not a fan of being a tattle tale or complaining when no one is really causing any harm, just being super annoying. Any advice for dealing with them?