First CNA job in homecare?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Specializes in Geriatrics and Rehab.

Hi, everyone. I am a new CNA who got certified by the state of Georgia in June. Since then, I have applied to many different types of healthcare settings-- especially long-term care.

I went in person to talk to someone about the status of my application at a nursing home. The lady literally stuck her nose in the air and turned her face away,when I told her that I was fresh out of school. It seems like every nursing home wants LTC experience in my area. How do I get experience if noone will give me a chance?

Anyways, it seems like I have better luck working for a home care agency. There is an agency that contacted me and wants to set up an interview.

I have my fears working in homecare. I read on some posts here that some people go weeks without work---I work full-time at a fast food joint, so I guess its not a big deal. But I also heard that homecare CNAs make more than LTC nursing homes. They also spend more time with their clients than in LTC, which I believe is important as a CNA.

Im wondering if it is a good idea to get into homecare. Does LTC and hospitals recognize homecare experience? Should I take the job, if offered? Or forget homecare altogether and try to get into LTC or a hospital, which I have been failing miserably to do???

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I have been in Home Care for over two years and personally love it. I set my own hours and days I can work. It is true that the work is not as consistant sometimes as it would working in LTC. Some months I am lower in hours then others, but if I patiently wait they will find me the work. I have never had it were I am out of work entirely.

For the pay it can be different depending on company and states. Actually I am making a little less then a LTC, but if you think of it this way. A LTC CNA may be working for $12.00 an hour and having to take care of 12 residents, and I am making only $10.00 an hour but for that I am only taking care of one person. So if you break it down LTC are making only a dollar for each resident they take care of, and I am making $10.00 for the one person I am taking care of.

I love that I can get to know and take care of my clients the way they should be taken care of. The slow pace is so much better for me then the LTCs where you are running like a mad women and not having time to take care of the residents like you want to.

So there are good and bad points for Home Care and LTC. You just have to decide which is best for you. Either one will give you good experiance.

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Specializes in Peds critical care.

I loved home care as a cna!

Give it a try. It wont hold you back any as far as a career goes.

And it was so flexible when I decided to go to school for my RN.

Good luck!

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If you can't get a job in LTC, by all means take a job in home care. You will most likely find that you prefer working with one client at a time anyway. If you must, keep the fast food job on the side so that you don't suffer from lack of work.

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Specializes in Geriatrics and Rehab.
I have been in Home Care for over two years and personally love it. I set my own hours and days I can work. It is true that the work is not as consistant sometimes as it would working in LTC. Some months I am lower in hours then others, but if I patiently wait they will find me the work. I have never had it were I am out of work entirely.

For the pay it can be different depending on company and states. Actually I am making a little less then a LTC, but if you think of it this way. A LTC CNA may be working for $12.00 an hour and having to take care of 12 residents, and I am making only $10.00 an hour but for that I am only taking care of one person. So if you break it down LTC are making only a dollar for each resident they take care of, and I am making $10.00 for the one person I am taking care of.

I love that I can get to know and take care of my clients the way they should be taken care of. The slow pace is so much better for me then the LTCs where you are running like a mad women and not having time to take care of the residents like you want to.

So there are good and bad points for Home Care and LTC. You just have to decide which is best for you. Either one will give you good experiance.

Wow what a great insight! Thanks!

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Specializes in Geriatrics and Rehab.

Well it looks like THAT homecare job didn't work out. I have the worst luck trying to get a CNA job. Oh well back to the drawing board....

I was trying to avoid this, but maybe I should apply where I did my clinicals, which is a rehab center. I really don't want to work there but I need experience. I will apply there on my next day off...

I can always do 2nd shift there instead of the 1st shift. What are your experiences for 2nd shift at a nursing home?

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Oh no I am so sorry the home care did not work out. What happened? Just keep looking you would be surprised maybe there would be other options out there for you if the rehab place is not where you want to work. Have you tried Retirment Homes, Some Hospice, do you have any Vets Homes or Hospitals, or homes for the disabled around by you. Something will come up for you just have to be patient sometimes for the right something to come along. Otherwise try the rehab, but keep your eyes and ears open for other opertunity that might come your way

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What part of Ga are you in? I am in Central Ga. I graduated from a CNA Course in June, and not having the best luck either! It's frustrating!!! Good luck!:)

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Second shift at a LTC facility is easier than day shift but not as "easy" as night shift. Your primary concern is dealing with the dinner meal and then getting residents back into bed and getting them ready for the night. You will find that some residents require more attention than others. As always, it is better to team up with another nursing assistant as you will find that two of you can go through your assignments a lot faster and with more efficiency than doing an assignment by yourself.

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Specializes in Long term care.

Don't give up on home care. There are more than one home care agencies! They all pay differently too. The more you tell them you are available, the more likely they are to hire you. If they know you intend to keep your full time job while doing home care, they will wonder about your availability.

The more you are available, the more you will work in home care. You will, sometimes, be short hours if a client goes into the hospital....etc.

Homecare can be the experience you need. It won't be the same as LTC and if you ever want to work in a hospital, you will probably need LTC.

Many would say 2shift is a little easier than 1st but, most of the time on 2nd you have to deal with "sundowners" and "behaviors" from residents can quickly put you behind in your routine, which then frustrates everyone else!

Each shift has it's own sets of challenges. I wouldn't really say one is easier than the other. They are just different.

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... And it was so flexible when I decided to go to school for my RN.

Good luck!

Good point!

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Just be mindful of your state certification. I worked in home care and wasn't able to get a signature from an RN because she wasn't directly supervising me and couldn't sign my renewal. Luckily, I had experience in LTC and ALF so I was able to complete the renewal, but if I only had the one home care job, I would have had to retake the NA course and retest with the state. Your home care agency might be able to sign for the renewal, but just learn from my experience.

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