What Is The Best Department To Work In As A CNA??

[mochagirl26]

I am applying to volunteer at a hospital & wondering what department would be best to work in. My options are: (1) ER, (2) NICU, (3) Peds, (4) Surgery, and (5) Nursery.

Would any of these provide volunteers with more or less practical experience? Would experience in a particular department be viewed more favorably by employers later on?

[juliaann]

Just choose what interests you the most. Hospitals are different, so it's really hard to say what would be "best" - I think doing it at all is "best."

Most hospitals hire CNAs to work general medical/surgical floors. My hosptial will hire CNAs to work med/surg with no experience and just a CNA certification. To work in specialty areas like all 5 of the areas you listed above, my hospital would require a PCT class, AUA certification, AND at least 1 year of experience. But, like I said, hospitals are different. If you're an awesome volunteer and the hiring manager knows you and wants you to work there, you might get hired on to that department with less that the qualifications they might expect an outside hire to have. That's a great reason to volunteer.

I think you should choose what interests you the most, work really hard, be very professional, meet everyone who works in the department and leave a favorable impression, get your CNA, find out what other requirements they might have, work on those, and talk to the manager about it when you're ready!

Even if you don't plan to work at *this* hospital, the manager or charge nurses you worked with should be able to give you a favorable recommendation when you do apply for work elsewhere, and that will be a huge help - although I don't think the department you volunteered in will play a big role in getting hired on somewhere else.

I personally enjoy ER and Surgery. Our Peds department and well-baby Nursery are too small to really need a CNA, and our NICU is well staffed and the nurses don't want/need/expect much help. I've been very bored in the NICU and Nursery before; never in the ER.

[license.nurse85]

I use to volunteer in the OR when I was in nursing school and loved it. There was little for me to do so I got to watch surgeries the whole time. It was a great experience!

[gertie01]

I agree it depends on your interests. If you like kids go for peds. I have volunteered in peds, NICU and the nursery. I knew that I would love to work in those departments though and knew that is the kind of nursing I want to go into. It has helped me get jobs in those departments as well but I do have 10 years of experience working as a CNA.

[mochagirl26]

Thank you for your responses. They were very helpful! I ended up getting a position at a hospital in the Neurology and Spinal Cord Trauma Department! I've also put my name on a list to move into the ER. I didn't realize it, but the ER is the MOST sought after department (and it requires some experience). The other departments had openings, but I heard that I would learn the most on the trauma floor. I'm looking forward to my first day so I can find out! :)

[mizfradd, CNA]

Good luck to you mochagirl26!! Let us know how you like it.

[mspee-wee]

I THINK U WOULD REALLY LIKE THE NICU BEST!!!!! AT LEAST I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE NOT LOVING TO WORK WITH BABIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:lol2::yeah::redpinkhe:redpinkhe:up::up:

[Tricia76]

Thats right! I would choose NICU!