Do Cna's Work In Psych Units?

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

Specializes in Geri and adult psych, hospice.

This may be a silly question, but I am just curious as to weather or not CNA'S get hired to work in psych units, or if there is some kind of special certification that goes along with that. I will be going to nursing school in the fall and would like to work as a CNA until then. I am interested in working in either psych, or Hospice. Thanks! :) Louisepug

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:) Some places do hire CNA's for psych units. Other places prefer to hire licensed psychiatric technicians. It all depends on the facility. Good luck

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.

Yes they do, I currently am a CNA on an acute care psych unit (hospital). It is a great place for a nursing student to work in some ways but not so great in others. You do get more opportunities to study while doing 1:1's (one staff with one patient), but you don't see nearly as much actual "nursing" (ng's, IV's, Foley's, trach's etc). But if you know psych is what you like than it's perfect. I know psych is for me and can't wait to get hired as an RN next year!

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The hospital where I work currently has one CNA working. They are hoping to hire a couple of more as believe that better trained then average MHA (Mental Health Assistant - Orderlie), and can do vital signs, body marks and some other things that are avg MHA is not able to do.

PS. Love that PUG.

PUGS NOT DRUGS!

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Specializes in Geri and adult psych, hospice.

Thanks so much for your comments everyone!

Larry, good luck to you on becoming a psych RN! That's awsome :) .

Everyone else, thanks again, and hopefully I'll be able to find some units that hire CNA's. Louisepug

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Thanks so much for your comments everyone!

Larry, good luck to you on becoming a psych RN! That's awsome :) .

Everyone else, thanks again, and hopefully I'll be able to find some units that hire CNA's. Louisepug

the silly county run dump i used to work in hired "registered counselors" and paid them a lot more than CNAs, even though a CNA had tons more training and better skills than a "registered counselor", which consisted of filling out a form basically stating "i ain't no patient molestin' crim'nal, nossirree ..."

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I work at a crisis stabilization unit. I think it's great experience for nursing school. Detox patients require lots of vital monitoring...good experience.

What I find difficult is maintaining that supportive, smiling attitude, when I feel there is a lot of drug seeking and dishonesty...but I'm spending every bit of my 12 hours in very close contact. Overall, I love my job.

Hopefully, I'm developing professionalism and compassion.

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