Which is better experience? NH CNA or Unit Sec position?

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Aug 1, 2006

If you are going to be an RN in a hospital, then go for the unit secretary. If you are going to be a RN or LPN in a nursing home, work at the nursing home. As a unit secretary you'll be exposed to the medical terminology and get used to hustle and bustle of a hospital environment. Also, if your co workers know you are in nursing school, they may let you watch some procedures and by entering orders in the computers, you'll be ahead of the game by being able to read the Dr's handwriting.:wink2: If you work at the nursing home you will be exposed to limited medical and nursing procedures and you will mainly be doing very basic care on residents (baths, showers, feeding, bed changes, etc). I worked as a CNA for three years before nursing school and i think it helped me with the first semester, so I guess either is fine, but I still recommend the hospital environment. Do they not have CNA positions at the hospital? That would be best.

nursemommyof3 · Aug 1, 2006

Our hospital does both, some people work both CNA and US shifts. Both are great. With the US job, you can see certain disease processes and the orders that come with it (some are typical), read the dr's orders (that's the tough part), and just become familiar with the routine. As a CNA, you bet more of that clinical and patient care time. YOu learn to interact with the patient and thier families. I do both US and CNA, and both are just as good.

Dublin37 · Aug 1, 2006

great question!

chickapin · Aug 2, 2006

I'm a US at a large-ish hospital and I really like it. I've been doing it for a little over a year...I have learned SO MUCH just from being in the hospital, it really made me feel comfortable being in one and learning about how they work, how to put in orders, etc. Working there has really reinforced my desire to become a nurse. I can't really do any patient care until I am done with fundamentals, but I have seen a few procedures be performed and I've learned A LOT of lingo!

BeccaznRN, RN · Aug 2, 2006

If you are going to be an RN in a hospital, then go for the unit secretary. If you are going to be a RN or LPN in a nursing home, work at the nursing home.

I agree.

I worked as a student nurse tech in a large teaching hospital and got to do more there than I ever did during clinicals. I was able to draw blood, start IVs, insert foley catheters, change dressings - it was a great way for me to become confident in my skills because we didn't get many chances to do those skills in clinicals. And the techs usually got cross-trained for duties as a unit secretary.

jb2u, ASN, RN · Aug 2, 2006

EJ,

i've worked as both and i'd say that you get to learn alot with both jobs. it's really about which you would prefer to do. do you like running around doing hands on care, or would you rather work at a computer? both are VERY important jobs to the nursing field. this is what i posted at the cna forum...

...have you ever considered becoming a unit clerk/cardiac monitor tech. i've done both and they are VERY helpful for pre-nursing students. you get great at reading dr's handwriting, you learn lots of medical terminology, you learn what test pts need to be npo for and what the test are for, you learn how to multitask, and you even learn meds. as far as cardiac monitor techs..well you get real good at reading/interpreting heart rhythm strips. and you get to sit down as oppose to being on your feet all day lifting patients. you can always do patient care after your first semester of nursing school without even taking a cna course. i took a course before i started nursing school so i am a cna, but many of my classmates never took a cna class, so technically, they are not cna's they are pca/student nurses, but they DO THE SAME EXACT THING!!
sincerely,
jay

and by the way...come visit the cna forum

sincerely,

jay