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Originally Posted by 111lily222  Nursing ass't. is a great job to have while going to school. My daughter was one for a bit out of high school. The course is very quick and they start at around $13 at local hospitals around my area. You'll be doing basic direct patient care skills including bathing patients, catheters, starting IV's, injections, wound care dressings, some basic transport, vitals, etc. Although it can be pretty gross at times, it's VERY rewarding. Of course your tasks will vary depending on what setting you're in whether it's a hospital or smaller scale in a clinic, nursing home, etc. Also, it's great to get your foot in the door. My daughter started out volunteering in high school after she took a course, got hired in at the hospital as a CNA once she turned 18, and her nursing degree is in progress. The only down side is I know a lot of hospitals are getting rid of the CNAs and just leaving more work to the RNs to cut costs  That's in MI though too...
I think you should go for it! 
Anyways, good luck!  |
I think you are thinking of LPN's or LVN's. A nursing assistant doesn't do any invasive procedures (IV's, catheters, injections) nor do they pass medication (at least not in Cali or GA, doing any of those things requires a State Licensure.) Nursing assistants do help with baths, take vital signs and help with transporting patients to different test areas.
In Cali and GA, there is an increase in the number of MA's/NA's because it's more cost effective to utilze 1 RN with 1 NA for every 4-12 patients (depending on the unit) then it is to have an all RN staff (ratios are determined by the state and JACHO standards).