What unit to work in???

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hi Guys! I just finished my first semester in my RN program & am thinking about getting a position as a Care Partner (CNA, patient care tech) at one of the local hospitals. My question is which unit do you guys recommend working in while in school? ICU, Med/Surg, or Cardiac stepdown I want to be in a unit that enables me to utilize the skills I've learned but not have me running around like a chicken with its head cut off & those are the only available units right now.

Thanks for any input!:D

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Specializes in Rehab.

Well, in your clinicals, youll get the full run around. But do you know what area youre leaning towards when you do get your RN? If you think you want to do cardiac, I would shoot for the cardiac unit. Med surg is supposed to be good for starters. But that is where I would start, wherever you think you want to lean towards

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Have they told you which opportunities are available? I would start from there. However, at the hospitals or nursing homes, CNAs will basically be running around, except in neonatal...and many hospitals may have their RNs do the care because of the complexities of their conditions. See what they have open and decide from there. Best of luck in searching for the job as well as RN school.

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Specializes in ALF, Medical, ER.

Med/Surg will give you alot of variety as far as diagnosis, treatments, illnesses etc. Yes it does get crazy at times between the patient going thru detox trying to jump out of bed to the patient you have to provide end of life care for. I thought that I wouldn't enjoy it as much as I do. I wanted to be in Peds or L&D but I find that I can learn alot on Med/Surg (not taking anything away from Peds or L&D tho).

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Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.

I haven't started my clinicals yet but I know that I want to work critical care/ICU and there was a critical care position open with the option to float to ICU and I took that positioon because it works great with what I want to do with my carreer. I've learned a lot on my unit. I work in an ICU stepdown unit so we get to see a mix of medical, surgical, and cardiac. It has been an invaluable learning expirience for me.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

I started out on a general med surg unit while in school and have no regrets about starting there. You see a variety of conditions and get experience taking care of patients with varying accuity levels. Now that I have this basic experience, I'm transferring to a more specialized unit. :)

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Specializes in cardiac.

I work on a med surg floor as a nurse tech and I feel it has helped me immensely. You get to see a lot of things, and it will give you a comfort level (it did for me). At times it is absolute insanity, but I think that in the long run it will be beneficial. It will really help you in clinicals and class too. Instead of just reading about certain things, you get to experience them firsthand. Any experience is good though. What areas interest you?

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Specializes in L&D, Orthopedics & Public Health.

Hello, Well I've been a CNA for 3 years now and I started out in Geriatrics, at first it wasn't so bad, then after 3 months I couldn't take it anymore and was able to find a job at a Birthing Center. I love it. I've been working there for 2 3/4 years now and I wish once I get my LPN I could stay in that department, but unfortunately I wont be able to. So I'm struggleing with going back to school and getting my RN. What ever you do try you will know with in a short period of time if that is were you are supposed to be or not. GOOD LUCK

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