Working as a CNA in a hospital setting can be an exciting venture. These facilities are often busy, intense and filled with a wide array of activities. Because the majority of patients do not stay in hospitals for long, people in your care will likely shift as quickly as they came. Although, this does not mean you'll be dealing with relatively healthy patients. Many patients who cross your path will need the highest standard of care due to the severity of their illness.
As any experienced CNA will tell you, working in a hospital setting can be a difficult place. Often there isn't much space to accommodate patient belongings, therefore a CNA must work extra hard to ensure the comfort and peace for all patients. In some facilities, hospitals will have ample single patient rooms for more personalized and private care; however, the majority of hospital layouts feature multi-patient rooms with draw curtains for privacy. One of the biggest challenges when working in this layout is holding private conversations with patients.
One of the most important qualities for a CNA to cultivate is a special ability to formulate effective and stable relationships with patients in a fast pace. Dealing with patients in a hospital setting is unique within itself. Many are scared, anxious or are experiencing mind-altering illnesses. Therefore, a CNA must be able to swiftly take control of a conversation to ensure the comfort of a patient while obtaining the necessary information for nursing and other medical team members.
As a certified nursing assistant within a hospital setting, you are responsible for providing not only basic nursing care, but you must also assist nursing staff from specific departments. Although you may be assigned to one department, smaller hospitals typically assign multiple departments to a single CNA. Therefore, it's important to be fully aware of each department you're assigned to, along with being familiar with their primary scope of practice. The following departments are common in most general hospitals, and as a CNA it's your responsibility to fully understand the regulations and expectations of each department:
Medical Department - This is a generalized level of care for all patients.
Surgical Department - This department is geared toward patients who require surgery.
Cardiology Department - Patients who are being treated for heart disease or cardiovascular-related ailments.
Clinic Department - Also referred to as a Walk In Clinic, this department provides medical care for outpatients.
Emergency Department - Also referred to as the Emergency Room, this department provides emergency medical care for walk-in and non-appointment patients.
Intensive Care Unit - Also known as ICU, this department cares for patients with life-threatening conditions and illnesses.
Nursery - Department specialized for newborn babies
Obstetric - Specialized department for pregnant women and newborn patients
Oncology - Highly specialized department for cancer patients
Operating Room - Department designed for patients who are undergoing surgery
Orthopedic - Deals with patients who have ailments within the skeletal system.
Pediatric - Handles patients who are under the age of 18
Psychiatric/Mental Health - Specifically treats patients who suffer from mental or emotional conditions and diseases.
You will learn all of this and more during your online certification program. If you are looking to begin a program go to www.cnacertificationscoop.com.
As any experienced CNA will tell you, working in a hospital setting can be a difficult place. Often there isn't much space to accommodate patient belongings, therefore a CNA must work extra hard to ensure the comfort and peace for all patients. In some facilities, hospitals will have ample single patient rooms for more personalized and private care; however, the majority of hospital layouts feature multi-patient rooms with draw curtains for privacy. One of the biggest challenges when working in this layout is holding private conversations with patients.
One of the most important qualities for a CNA to cultivate is a special ability to formulate effective and stable relationships with patients in a fast pace. Dealing with patients in a hospital setting is unique within itself. Many are scared, anxious or are experiencing mind-altering illnesses. Therefore, a CNA must be able to swiftly take control of a conversation to ensure the comfort of a patient while obtaining the necessary information for nursing and other medical team members.
As a certified nursing assistant within a hospital setting, you are responsible for providing not only basic nursing care, but you must also assist nursing staff from specific departments. Although you may be assigned to one department, smaller hospitals typically assign multiple departments to a single CNA. Therefore, it's important to be fully aware of each department you're assigned to, along with being familiar with their primary scope of practice. The following departments are common in most general hospitals, and as a CNA it's your responsibility to fully understand the regulations and expectations of each department:
Medical Department - This is a generalized level of care for all patients.
Surgical Department - This department is geared toward patients who require surgery.
Cardiology Department - Patients who are being treated for heart disease or cardiovascular-related ailments.
Clinic Department - Also referred to as a Walk In Clinic, this department provides medical care for outpatients.
Emergency Department - Also referred to as the Emergency Room, this department provides emergency medical care for walk-in and non-appointment patients.
Intensive Care Unit - Also known as ICU, this department cares for patients with life-threatening conditions and illnesses.
Nursery - Department specialized for newborn babies
Obstetric - Specialized department for pregnant women and newborn patients
Oncology - Highly specialized department for cancer patients
Operating Room - Department designed for patients who are undergoing surgery
Orthopedic - Deals with patients who have ailments within the skeletal system.
Pediatric - Handles patients who are under the age of 18
Psychiatric/Mental Health - Specifically treats patients who suffer from mental or emotional conditions and diseases.
You will learn all of this and more during your online certification program. If you are looking to begin a program go to www.cnacertificationscoop.com.