Tech/CNA

BESTRONG · Jun 4, 2005

At the hospital where I worked, I was a Critical Care Tech from December after my 1st semester of nursing school to June (end of my 2nd semester). I then moved up to an Apprentice Nurse, where I basically did all patient care, charting, assessing, etc.
I did not have to have any experience as a Tech and was trained on the job. But I also did not do many of the things mentioned above. My responsibilities were mainly stocking the carts located outside each patient's room, helping with baths and turning, making sure all the equipment was on the unit and operating correctly, and stocking the supply room. I also helped a LOT with patient transport, which was pretty cool because I got to see many, many procedures that taught me a lot.
None of the techs where we work draw blood, check blood (in fact, the CNA's can do that, but we cannot), do any procedures on a patient such as d/c IV, foley, NG, etc. I was paid $12.76 an hour and worked two 12-hour shifts during my 2nd semester.
After I completed my 2nd semester, I was promoted to Apprentice Nurse (which is why I was given the position of Tech to begin with...to groom me for the unit gradually while I attended school, then give me a position as a Graduate Nurse upon completion of school). My duties dramatically increased and I was responsible for total care of 2 ICU patients (with my preceptor watching of course). I did all the assessments, charting, procedures, speaking with the family, talking with physicians, etc. I was limited in that I could not give IV medication, nor could I suction an ETT. Suctioning a trach was fine, just not an ETT.
For the Apprentice position, I was paid $16.37 an hour and worked two 12-hour night shifts (which I thoroughly enjoyed, as opposed to getting up at the ungodly hour of 4:30am for a day position). I learned so much more at work than I did in school, plus I became very familiar with the staff and supervisors that I will be working alongside once I begin my new job as a Graduate Nurse. Knowing I had a job back in January gave me piece of mind and motivation to finish school, even when there were times when I felt like giving up (all you who experienced that "senioritis" know EXACTLY what I'm talking about).
I highly recommend taking a position at a healthcare facility during school (if you must work). The experience you get is priceless, even if it's nothing more than becoming familiar with the hospital environment. I waited tables before hitting nursing school and although I made around $20/hour (with my tips), I certainly didn't feel "fulfilled" at the end of a 6 or 8 hour shift. I LOVED my jobs, both the Tech position and the Apprentice Nurse (so much so I found it hard to believe how well I was paid for both jobs....I would have done it for free, to tell you the truth).
Melanie = )

wow that a great place to start off... I am going to try to get into the tech position. I just dont want to make less than 12 dollar an hours due to bills and childcare. I also got a AS degree in business I was thinking either get a job doing using my business degree in the medical field until I get my Associate degree next year or should I go head and start off as a tech so that where i am trying to weigh my option i just need a flexible schdule becuz in May 2006 that when i start my nursing classes along with clinicinc and the class various some day some noon time some night so that is why i wast hinking about going into tech becuz I am sure they will work with student

guest64485 · Jun 4, 2005

In my hospital, a tech has the same duties as a certified nursing assistant, they are just different titles (we call them CNA's at our nursing home and techs at the hospital) I just started as a tech about 3 weeks ago, and I make $8.28 (base rate). Our LPNs start off at 12.00 and our nurses start off at $18.50, so I have to say that I'm shocked to hear the salaries the other posters are reporting here.

LilRedRN1973 · Jun 5, 2005

so I have to say that I'm shocked to hear the salaries the other posters are reporting here.

It's a good thing RN's make what they do here....we live in the #3 city for increasing home prices, right behind Bakersfield, CA and Las Vegas, NV. In the past 2 years, housing has increased 82%. The average home price here is around $350,000. It's going to be hard enough to afford a home on the combined salary of me and my husband with what I will be starting off at. Sometimes, I think about moving back to Texas. I could make nearly the same hourly rate there as I will here, but the home prices are MUCH, MUCH less. We also live in one of the most expensive areas for gasoline....it's finally dropped to around $2.30 (sad that we think that's "cheap").

Melanie = )