Questions About Shadowing a CNA

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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When shadowing a CNA during clinicals, do I:

a. Ask the CNA if I can help with anything else when we're done with the rounds? (I do not want to pester the CNA by following her around like a puppy dog and drive her up the wall!)

b. Ask the nurse if I can help with anything?

c. All of the above

d. Other

Any advice, suggestions, or pointers from everyone would really be appreciated! I SO want to do a good job. :specs:

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Specializes in Peds OR as RN, Peds ENT as NP.

YES! I helped with everything when I shadowed. Every time that CNA put on gloves, I put on gloves. Is this a shadowing before you begin a class? For me it was so how I did (and my attitude) during the shadowing determining whether I got in the class or not. I did not ask the nurse if I can help with anything... they didn't want to bother with me until I was certified.

Wear comfortable shoes!

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Yes to a,b &c . I wouldn't worry about annoying your assigned CNA, they will probably be grateful for the help!

Unlike CNA Sam, I did ask the nurse (s) if there was anything I could do. Sometimes my assigned CNA (s) were busy with someone and there was something that needed to be done. Being part of the first class to do clinicals at my site, they were a little bit leery at first, but once they figured out I wasn't going to kill someone they were more than happy to give me things to do!

As to "other", I would also ask the PT & OT crews if there was anything I could do to help out while they were with a patient (client? My clinicals were at a hospital, cardiac ward) , sometimes there was, sometimes not and then I just stayed out of their way and hung in the background and observed. Be a good observer, you can usually tell when you are crossing the line from diligent student into pest land, lol.

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When I worked as a CNA in a hospital, I appreciated when a shadower would offer to help. Unfortunately my manager did not want them to do anything hands-on while shadowing because of liability reasons, but I recommend offering. When a potential new hire offered, I would report that back to the manager, because that is a sign of being a teamplayer! I also recommend asking a lot of questions. The clinical director asked me if the person that shadowed me asked questions, because that shows that they are actually interested. Good luck to ya!

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Thanks for all your pointers! This will be very helpful to me to say the least!!

CNA Sam, yes, this is shadowing before I begin a class. It's good to know I can basically help with anything that is, of course, allowed within the facility, care plan, etc. I did get a couple pairs of comfortable shoes too, so I'm ready to go!

Trillcat, that's great advice to also ask the PT or OT crews if they need help when I'm not shadowing the CNA - or that it's alright to ask the nurse if she/he needs anything. My clincals will be in an LTC, but I'm guessing that the advice you gave can be applied to any environment. Also, that is a great pointer you gave about just being a good observer as well!

MissBrittanyRN, thanks for the "good luck"! It really helps to know that you appreciated when the CNA asked if you needed any help, even if the CNA wasn't allowed to do certain tasks for liability reasons. It's also good to know that offering to help is a sign of being a teamplayer, so I will be certain to ask questions when I'm not clear on something.

I appreciate all of this very valuable advice from all of you, and will be certain to put it into play. This is so helpful to say the least! Thanks again!!

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