Nurse Opinion

I need a opinions from those of you who are nurses and nurse aides. What do you look for in a great Nurse aide. What are your expectations and how long should one take to learn the skills and be quick? I went to 3 interviews and passed them all. After that, I had a 4th interview and the hiring nurse stated that I had jumped all the hoops but, she didn't think I was physically able to handle the job. Her answer was that I had been at a desk job for 5 years. Alot of the nurse aides at the hospital are young girls. So, is it my age or lack of experience. I was applying for a job in a hospital for Med-Surg/Renal. I was really crushed. I asked her what was her recommendation on me getting experience. She stated that I could be in a on call basis on the weekends to get my feet wet but, that all positions are different. She stated that med-surg is a monster and that she did not want to me to fail. She said I was so successful in another department. She stated that if I should fail, I may not have another job and that she would hate to see the hospital lose an employee. Needless to say, I have another interview tommorrow in Oncology. So I would like some great advice and any suggestions. Last edit by meltraand on Aug 9, '11
CNA jobs are very physically demanding. You are doing a lot of patient lifting, are constantly being called in different directions, and are on your feet for probably 95% of your work day if not more. It can be very tiring and draining on your body and mind. If you are not used to being on your feet all day, you will experience sore feet/legs/back/neck, etc. This is most likely the reason why she encouraged you to find a different position.

i agree with this.be honest with yourself: if you know you can withstand a very physical job with a lot of stamina, then sell yourself...reassure the interviewer.best of luck.leslie

Have you taken a class to become state certified? If so, I would assume that you had experience with the heavy-duty work that is required to be a CNA (even if it was only for a few days). I would draw on this experience (even if it is little, it's better than nothing!) in the interviews and indicate that you are prepared to work hard. In my interview, my boss just kept telling me to be prepared to do a lot of hard work, hard lifting, etc. It is a tiring job, but I am confident that many people are able to do it, as long as you aren't supremely fragile. I understand your frustration, though. How can they expect you to get experience as a CNA if no one will hire at first?! I mean, it literally is bottom of the totem pole working, and I'm sure you know what you are getting yourself into! Just keep mentioning in the interviews that you are a hard worker, and very determined! Best advice I can give. Good luck to you!!

I've been a nurse for 26 years and the most valuable team members are the NAs and MAs. I think your age is a plus. You could stress your ability to recognize situations that need immediate attention and since NAs often spend more time at the bedside than the nurses do, your interview is the perfect opportunity to stress this. With age comes the ability to read situations and people and we mature health care workers have more "intuition" than younger ones. This job should have nothing to do with your stamina and more to do with your assessment skills and ability to work well with others. Good luck http://img.an-file.info/smilies/redface.gif

Thank you everyone for the advice. I feel a little bit better. I guess my next step is to take baby steps towards working into that goal. I know the direction I need to go now. I just wanted some assurance and lots of other opinions.

sorry about you had a negative interview experience.In my opinion, If they are worry about you are not strong enough to handle the job, then they are insinuating that they are not planing to lend a help when you needed. I worked as a CNA on a busy med-surg units for awhile, and it truly is a physically demanding job. most patients are in acute stage rather than chronic stage. Patients' pain and anxiety levels are high and so does nurses' stress level .Oncology unit seems to have lot more calm and quiet atmospher than med-surg.Go to interview tomorrow at the oncology unit and forget about med-surg. Good luck on your future interview!!!

Quote from meltraand I had a 4th interview and the hiring nurse stated that I had jumped all the hoops but, she didn't think I was physically able to handle the job. Her answer was that I had been at a desk job for 5 years. A lot of the nurse aides at the hospital are young girls. So, is it my age or lack of experience. I was applying for a job in a hospital for Med-Surg/Renal. I was really crushed.

Hi everyone,I had my interview and it went rather well. If I get the job, my shift will be from 7:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. I am very excited about becoming a CNA. I am ready to dive into the job and see what happens. I need experience and I am ready to learn learn learn. I am a newly graduated CNA so I will be learning alot of things. I am so ready to learn and grow. I was told in the interview that if I am with them for 6 months I can train to become a PCA. Thank you for the feedback. I guess there are pros and cons to my first interview but, I am ready!! I am ready to dive into the job with everything I have and see what happens. I do know one thing. I have compassion for my patients. I care alot for people and I will take care of these patients as if they were family.Thank you for the adivce everyone. Here is to the beginning of my pathway to nursing.

Congratulations!

Also consider mother-baby. Less lifting, overall generally physically easier, but tough to get into. Back in the day when I was a CNA, we all hated to float--unless it was mother-baby and then we fought over who would get to go. :lol

Congrats!! That's wonderful! What kind of extra training would you have to do to be a PCA? Or, what is the difference between a PCA and a CNA? I only ask because I had CNA training, applied for a PCA job and got it. Well, the job was listed as PCA/STNA/CNA, so I guess at this hospital, it's all the same. But I was under the impression that in Ohio, it's all pretty much the same. How does it differ at the hospital you're talking about?

I'm sooo happy for you!!! Your attitude is wonderful, and I hope your co-workers will treat you well and that this will be a wonderful pathway for you! When I was a CNA, I had the same positive attitude you did, and it was very much appreciated by the nurses. I hope you also get some wonderful mentors like I did.....once they know you are persuing nursing, and are REALLY interested in the job and the patients, they will teach you all kinds of things!