Best setting for first CNA job while waiting for nursing school?

[rhubarbstrawberry]

I’m waiting for admission to an LPN program. For financial and family reasons, my plan is to start there, then bridge to RN (but perhaps not immediately). In the meantime, I’m about to look for my first CNA job. I’m wondering where the best setting will be for me to be focusing.

I think I want to work either with hospice or supporting patients with chronic conditions. I feel really passionate about supporting the best quality of life possible for people who may not “get better” in the traditional sense. Aside from hospice, are there any other practice settings that would make a lot of sense for a future LPN to get her foot in the door? LTC seems like a good fit on paper, but I seem to read nothing but horror stories about working there.

I’m hoping to get some hands-on direct care experience before LPN school, and really appreciate any advice any posters have!

[gere7404, BSN, RN]

If you’re gonna be an LPN, I’d say working an LTC or SNF is a good way to get your feet wet.

the VA also pays LPNs well, and if you could snag a position on a outpatient care team you could work Monday-Friday 8-5 kind of hours. Hard to find a CNA job at the VA in outpatient, though.

[caliotter3]

I found that my best position for a CNA job while attending nursing school was with the employer who offered me a job. Not every CNA gets offered that “optimal” CNA job with that “optimal” employer. Same goes for nursing jobs.

[rhubarbstrawberry]

Thank you both for your advice! I will definitely look into LTC, SNF, and VA positions, but I will feel fortunate if I can land my first job, period! I think I would ideally like to work in home health or hospice after nursing school, but I’m going to keep an open mind for any opportunity.

[Taylor13, CNA]

I currently work at a hospice facility and I think that it would be a really great place to get some experience! People think it's very laid back and non-medical, but the inpatient facilities can be very acute at times. Also, you get to see complex medical cases without the stress of trying to keep the person with the complex case alive.

[It'sYaGirlK, CNA, LPN]

I worked at an ALF a year before I started my LPN program and six months into the program... I ended up getting my Med Administration certificate (FL) and became the med tech at the facility where I would pass medications. I loved it but had to quit once I got to Med Surg