I've worked LTC and acute. We also had rehab patients in my LTC that i worked at. I don't think any setting is easy to work in. In the hospital we end up with more "sitter" cases. Those are patients who have to be under close supervision. Usually you end up with no more than two patients and you have to perform all ADLs and care unless you need the assistance from the RN or another CNA. That is usually alright, it's less work but your time goes by super slow. In the hospital I worked at they had the county jail unit upstairs for patients who were also in custody. I worked there only a few nights, but let me tell you it is scary. If I didn't feel comfortable for whatever reason i could call the sheriff's deputies in for support, but it's a bit unsettling to have to lock your patients into their rooms. I haven't worked for a regular prison, but that's the closest I came. LTC is more sad than anything. You get used to your patients and their routines, so in that way it's easier because the patient population doesn't fluctuate as frequently as in a hospital setting. For me, it was hard getting attached to the older ones and then they pass away. As long as you enjoy helping people, you can really work in any setting. I'd say they all have their drawbacks but I enjoyed them equally but in different ways.
May 9, '12 by nursetabithaI would really think about it, especially if you are a petite and/or pretty woman or a short and skinny guy. You could quite easily be hurt by an inmate who has nothing to lose, male or female. I personally wouldn't do it, but there are some people who absolutely love it. I would think that rehab would be a lot better. You'd still be dealing with violent patients, but it seems like you might have a little less safety issues there. I can't speak from experience though, this is just my own common sense opinion.
May 10, '12 by BrannrayQuote from Dulce29She's an LPN, but when she was doing what I said about just opening doors and such, she was a CNA. She said maybe once a months or so you'd have to wipe someone's butt *for lack of better wording lol* but that was about it. The only downside to where this place is, was the pay. It sucked... but I'm sure you could get better pay somewhere else doing the same. =)@brannay do you know if your friend was a cna? Or LVN? Rn?
May 10, '12 by mindyfromcaliI've worked LTC and acute. We also had rehab patients in my LTC that i worked at. I don't think any setting is easy to work in. In the hospital we end up with more "sitter" cases. Those are patients who have to be under close supervision. Usually you end up with no more than two patients and you have to perform all ADLs and care unless you need the assistance from the RN or another CNA. That is usually alright, it's less work but your time goes by super slow. In the hospital I worked at they had the county jail unit upstairs for patients who were also in custody. I worked there only a few nights, but let me tell you it is scary. If I didn't feel comfortable for whatever reason i could call the sheriff's deputies in for support, but it's a bit unsettling to have to lock your patients into their rooms. I haven't worked for a regular prison, but that's the closest I came. LTC is more sad than anything. You get used to your patients and their routines, so in that way it's easier because the patient population doesn't fluctuate as frequently as in a hospital setting. For me, it was hard getting attached to the older ones and then they pass away. As long as you enjoy helping people, you can really work in any setting. I'd say they all have their drawbacks but I enjoyed them equally but in different ways.