What is it like working as a certified nursing assistant in a hospital?

I have an over-the-phone interview on Monday for a nursing assistant job at a hospital and I want to know what it is like before jumping into this. I've worked in nursing homes before but not in a hospital.

By the way, I already know what nursing assistants do as a job (seeing how I work in a nursing home as a nursing assistant), I just want to know if anyone here is a nursing assistant at one and if so do you like it? Or even if you know someone who has that job at a hospital and if they like it that would be great.

It's a big difference. I like the hospital setting much better. Your experience will depend on the type of unit you will work on. I've always been a orthopedic/neurology nurse. I started as a cna. It is very fast paced. You will probably have more pts than in the nursing home, but more of them are independent. You'll have alot to learn. You'll have to learn the different procedures to do or not to do with the different diagnosis. For example, the proper way to get a pt out of bed or roll them after hip surgery. You will do alot of running, there are always admissions and discharges, call bells ringing, vital signs to take, it can be overwhelming. You get to see and do alot more. You'll learn to be fast on your feet and think critical. Nurses might need a little time to warm up to you, some are really friendly, some take a while. People can be a lot more catty in a hospital. It's nothing personal, it's just how some people are. You'll be in the clique before you know it. Just keep your cool no matter what. You'll have alot of questions so always ask if you don't know, even if you don't want to! Theres a stereotype that people that worked nursing homes are not smart and are very lazy. You have a grace period for being new, but after a while you'll have to prove yourself or they will be miserable to you every day. I've seen it, it's not pretty. Oh, and NEVER trust anyone when voicing your opinion about the hospital or someone in it! Even if you think or know they are cool, don't do it. Keep it to yourself. Always! Hopefully you work on a unit where everyone is pleasant and gets along. It will get better as everyone gets to know you and you prove yourself. Politics and cattiness are the worst part of working in a hospital. The everyday routine is easy to learn. Just always report anything that looks off to the nurse, report abnormal v/s right away, and always check skin. You meet so many different kinds of pts, you learn from each of them. When you get a pain in the *** pt, I like knowing they will be leaving in about 3days verses knowing I will have to see them everday unless I quit or they die. I just re-read what I've wrote and I sound negative! I don't mean to, I just want to tell you what the staff won't. I'm pretty straightforward, sorry. Anyway, if you plan to go to school to be a nurse, this is the best thing for you. Your experience will help big time. When a nurse is doing a procedure or have a pt with diagnosis you've never heard of, ask her about it. Before you know it, you're be so prepared and ahead of the game in class. It'll make school alot easier. Plus alot of hospitals help you go to school, financial and schedule wise. You're making a good move career wise. I hope I've helped. I wouldn't stress about it. You'll go in and pair you up with someone good. You'll learn the routine, and meet everyone. Just be polite and smile. If you offer to help when you're not busy, they will love you. Even if you just run by a nurse and ask if you can do anything for them, they'll appreciate it. Have fun with it, and Good luck. Get your butt into nursing school. There are programs out there to help. Look into a federal program called WIA. Where I am it's thru Jobs etc., they pay for tuition, books, uniforms, supplies, and gas cards. Well, I hope this helps. Sorry it turned out to be so long.

nursing assistants do all of the go-fer work, change bed pans, wash patients, check vital signs etc

My sister tried the CNA for a little while. She says it is nothing but Cleaning Nasty A$$E$. She is now a phlebotomist.

My niece works as a CNA at a nursing home and absolutely loves her job. She calls herself the comfort nurse! So yes, I guess there are some that are cut out for that kind of work and love it and others don't like it at all.