What does CNA do, exactly?

[KittyKatKorner]

I'm looking to start a career in healthcare. I want to begin as a CNA because the training is short. I know they provide personal care for patients, but what exactly do they do all day? I have no experience in healthcare or hospitals, not even as a patient.

And what's the usual starting salary per hour? I'm in south Florida, by the way. Thanks.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

Google it.

[KittyKatKorner]

Yes, I can do that. I was hoping to get a more personal perspective from people who actually work in that environment.

If there's anyone kind enough to share, please do so. Again, thanks.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

There is a CNA forum on AN. Perhaps you could try posting there or else the wonderful Mods can move your query there.

You'll get more answers there than on this general nursing forum.

[KittyKatKorner]

Will do. Thanks. :)

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Will do. Thanks. :)

If you still can't find any good answers, post an update. I've bookmarked your post and will try to reply.

I was a CNA from 2011-2013, with limited but varied experiences.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

Vital signs, activities of daily living (bathing, feeding, dressing), provide comfort measures (make beds, provide requested pillows, blankets, cups, etc)

A lot depends on the facility

[kay91]

Depends on where you work. I don't have personal experience as a cna. But this is a typical day for ours in the daytime (I have had a few days where I tasked and was essentially the tech If we were short one

-baths and linen changes in the mornings

-blood sugar checks

-answer call lights

-Assist patients to the bathroom

-know the diet of patient to know if they can have food or need special precautions when eating

-walk with surgical patients

- our old school techs are awesome with getting I's and O's which everyone should keep track of

-incontinence care

-assist the nurse with turning patients who are at risk of skin breakdown and are unable to themselves

-take out iv at discharge or take out Foley catheter once trained

These are some of the things our techs do on a medical floor. One thing surprisingly that they don't have to do is shift vitals. Shortly after I started, they decided for nurses to do the shift vitals and that techs can do the q4s between the q8 vitals.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Thread has been moved to the CNA forum.

[smartassmommy]

In a nursing home you will do ADLs and vitals. You may get to do more in a hospital, but most require experience.

[Lapishsunsmile]

As a cna I have 12 patients when fully staffed. We start our day getting everyone washed and dressed before breakfast. Then we pass trays and feed. After that we do a round town sure everyone's diapers are clean. We start our showers (typically 4 per shift). Then lunch trays come out. We do another round and answer lights when we can. We also helps residents complete therapy tasks such as walking or prom. We wipe a lot of poop but the best part of the job is feeling appreciated and the residents saying the love me. It's great.

[trytwo]

Do it!! One of my biggest regrets is not getting this experience prior to starting nursing school. You'll get comfortable in the hospital and have the "basics"--how to walk a patient safely, change an occupied bed, correctly turn a patient...down so you can focus on the more challenging nursing skills once you get to clinicals.

Also, many nurses will make a point of having you help out with nursing skills, etc, if they know you're a nursing student. If you have the time, I highly recommend it!