Nursing question.....?

I am starting the CNA course come Jan. 08. I am wanting to continue my education from a CNA to a LPN then eventually become an RN. I would really like to work in the Maternity Ward once I become and RN. I have always wanted to work with babies. My question is being a CNA is their any work that could be done on the Maternity Floor? I really don't want to work with the elderly, that may sound mean I know but I would prefer infants. Another question please, while taking the CNA courses at a State College, what could I expect? What kind of training? Thanks for your answers and time.

Before I start - sorry this is so long winded...but...

A recommendation for you - if course work for being a CNA is required in your state then finish the course and try to get the highest grades you can (it will be looked at carefully when you apply to nursing school). If it is not required in your state then try to get a job at hospital that will provide you with training - don't waste your money on a CNA course if it's not required.

Second recommendation - do not waste your money becoming an LPN. You will only be able to work in a nursing home - no hospitals hire LPN's. LPN programs tend to be expensive compared to what you will be earning. And if you want to work in maternity - being an LPN is just not going to help you - don't waste your money! Go straight to an RN program.

When you finish your CNA course apply at the hospitals in your area and take a good paying job in a good hospital. Even if you can't get a job on the maternity floor right away - you will be an employee of good standing and have a much better chance of getting a job on maternity when one opens up.

Things you might do as a CNA on a maternity floor - taking vital signs, helping post-surgical patients (post c-section) take showers or get cleaned up, pass meal trays, help with bottle feedings in the nursery if the nurses are swamped, maybe change the occasional newborn diaper.

Try to get to know the nurses that you work with - they will help you with recommendations when you want to transfer to another unit or apply to nursing school. Also get to know the nursing managers on your floor and the nursing supervisors if you have a chance to come in contact with them. All of those people can be a real help when it comes to applying to school - good recommendations from professionals in the field can mean the difference between you getting accepted or being passed over for a nursing degree program.

You don't have to be a brown noser - but try to do your best to stay friendly, be a hard worker, take good care of your assigned patients, and let people know that you are motivated and want to learn more. A good supervising nurse will bend over backwards to help you learn! If you have the chance to float to another floor - especially the maternity floor - to help them out, take it! It will give you the chance to get to know more people in the hospital and you might find that you like working in another area even better!

You don't necessarily have to go right into a Bachelor's degree RN program - check and see if there is an Associate's degree RN program in your area. They tend to be less expensive, take less time, and will get you working quicker so you can afford to finish your bachelor's degree without incurring so much debt.

Whatever hospital you end up working at - see if they have tuition re-imbursement for your nursing school. Also check into any grants or financial aid - lots of states are giving money to people going to nursing school.

In CNA training you will learn to take vital signs accurately, how to move patients safely, how to properly make beds (with patients still in them), how to help bathe and feed patients who need help with those things...I'm sure there is more but I can't remember everything right now.

If you have any more questions please feel free to e-mail me from my profile. I'll be happy to help!

Good luck, hon!

There are techs (i.e aides,orderly, Patient care techs...) on every unit. Most units do not require any specific training other than on the job or CNA training.
Check at your local hospitals and ask them what are the requirements.