New and Unsure Nurse Seeking Advice.

Hi, I say "nurse" but I'm not really a nurse.. I just got a job as a Nurse Tech at a rehabilitation hospital. I am 19 years old and have no clinical experience what-so-ever. The hospital is going to train me and said that working as a Tech would be better than a CNA considering I am going to be an RN eventually and then someday I could work as an RN for them.

I know nothing regarding how to do things, and am getting a little nervous for my first day.

I understand the duties involve CNA work and certain other procedures like foley catheter insertion, etc. So I'm not really asking about WHAT is involved.

I am more interested in tips and things I should know. Best ways to learn things, study tips, things YOU wish you would have been told from your first day.

ANY advice is greatly appreciated, really.

Will I be able to succeed at school as well? I will be working 3 days a week, 3-11.... Last edit by JennNHD24 on Apr 15, '11
I don't know the difference between a CNA or a tech, but I would think asking questions, be eager to learn and ask for the facilities policies and procedures would be helpful to know. Good luck!

First off, please do NOT refer to yourself as a Nurse until you conplete the LPN/RN courses and pass the NCLEX and have a licence giving you the legal right to call yourself a Nurse. Doing so will tick off those of us who spent years in time, money, sweat and tears to earn the title.Now as to your questions. Are you assigned to a mentor/trainer? This person/people are the ones who will show you how to perform all the required elements of your current position. I conclude that you have not started the job yet from the questions you ask. My advice for current position and once you become a Nurse are the same; Never be afraid to ask questions, no matter how dumb you may think the question is. If you don't know how to do something or don't know the answer to a question, ask, there are no dumb questions, only stupid mistakes.

Please don't call yourself a 'nurse' if you are not one. They normally get very angry about that. There is also a 'CNA' and 'Tech' forum here on allnurses.com under 'students' that you may find useful. I'm sure you'll find the answers you are looking for there.