Can CNA's also work in the maternity ward of a hospital just taking care of babies?
Asked by Angel
I want to become a certified nursing assistant i really like babies and children and would love to become a cna who works in the maternity ward of an hospital or in the pediatric department of a hospital caring for children. And i would like to know is it possible for a cna to work only taken care of babies or children?

Best Answer:
A CNA in a maternity ward is not going to just take care of babies. That's because it's not just a "baby" unit. It's a "maternal - newborn couplet" unit. Most babies these days spend most of the time "rooming in" with the mother and family. They don't spend a lot of time in the nursery. CNAs in maternal newborn care for the mother, too. They may perform tasks like assisting a mother up to the bathroom, shower, or for a sitz bath. They might bring needed personal items like water pitchers, juice, remove food trays after meals, change bed linens. They can transport baby to and from the nursery, might be trained to perform tasks like the hearing screens or the heel stick for the metabolic screens, and yes, sometimes they get to hold and feed the baby. But that's only a very small part of a CNA's job in this setting. Pediatrics would be a similar experience. It's not going to just be children, a family member will almost always be spending the entire stay with the child in the room. They will often handle the basic needs for the child like toileting and feeding.
RN, Birth Center L&D
Answered by Jill

If this is possible, it's exactly what I want to do. I know you get to work with the babies, but you are doing a lot of the dirty work as well..which isn't a problem for me..I'm willing to move up the latter. :p
Answered by HONEY

No way. CNA's would be lucky to even BE in the hospital. The maternity ward (neonatal or labor/delivery) is exclusively RN's. If a CNA did work in this section of the hospital, they would be changing the sheets, helping you to the bathroom, helping you take a shower, bring you diapers/bottles for the baby, change you if you are bleeding, check your vital signs. They would not be "caring" for the baby. CNA's are more likely to get jobs in nursing homes, and sometimes hospitals but not in the maternity section. Are you sure about what a CNA actually does? You will basically be in charge of cleaning, feeding, changing your patient. Changing their sheets, rolling them over, helping them to the bathroom, giving them a bath. Babies do not need any of this. That is for adult patients. Babies need to be monitored, diagnosed, etc so that is why an RN is always in charge. Remember, you are a nurse's ASSISTANT. That means whatever the nurse DOESN'T wanna do, they tell you to do. Set your goals higher and consider being an LPN or RN. Don't get me wrong - I am also going through training to be a CNA but I am not intending on working as one forever. I am only being certified because my school requires it as a prerequisite before you can be an LPN. CNA's get paid close to minimum wage, the work is stressful and strenuous, and they get little or no respect. If you want to work with babies, get on the website of your local community college and see what the program requirements for the Registered Nursing program are, what courses you need, prerequisites, etc. Maybe consider working as a CNA just to get in the door and get experience while you are training to be an RN. Good luck!
Answered by whoknewthecolorcouldbeblue