Can you work in home health as a new CNA?

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I work in LTC right now, and this is my first CNA job. I've only worked there less than two months, but I'm thinking home health would be a better fit.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

Why not? I just started home health, but my agency hires quite a few LNAs (my state licenses CNAs).

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It depends on whether or not an agency will hire you. After experience working in long term care, it is quite likely that any agency would hire you over a newly certified CNA. Get a home health aide certificate and you will be even more attractive to the agencies. And you can always work private duty if you can find a client to hire you. Good luck.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med/Surg, hospice.

I worked in home health as my first and only cna job. I learned a lot (lots and lots of baths and hygiene help were my main duties) and while geriatrics isn't my thing, it really solidified my choice to become a nurse. IMO it's probably easier than in an LTC or hospital.

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Specializes in L&D; GI; Fam Med; Home H; Case mgmt.

I am the Clinical Supervisor for a home health agency (I supervise all our CNA cases) and I'd hire you in a heartbeat if your background checked out. Your schooling is still fresh in your mind and you have -some- LTC experience. I think you'd be great.

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I worked as a Home Health Aide for almost 2 years while in nursing school, and really enjoyed it. The schedule was flexible. I saw the same patients every week and got to know them pretty well. It's definitely a lot more laid back than LTC, but you would probably be taking a pay cut. It all depends on where you live. I know the agency I work for in Ohio is pretty desperate for Home Health Aides.

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

Much of it depends on your state, so you may want to check with a few agencies to see what is required for a CNA or HHA in your area.

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It depends on the agency, really. I took the CNA program with a woman that was already working as a NA before taking the class. Evidently, she had been hired and was then given a deadline that she needed to be certified by. Well, she already knew all of the skills, and most of the text, so she was a great student! Actually, we would all go in a little early so she could give us pointers before skill exams!

I say apply and go for it :)

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