CNA question....?

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Hello everyone! I just finished my CNA training course and want to work until I *hopefully* get accepted into the nursing program. But I'm not sure if I should apply at an LTCF or assisted living facility. What is the difference between the two in terms of the daily jobs that you perform? Because I know, obviously, that at an assisted living facility the residents can take care of themselves more than at an LTCF. So what exactly do you do as a CNA when working at an assisted living facility? And also, one more question...I have heard that one must work at an LTCF, as a CNA, before being able to work at a hospital as a CNA. Does anyone know about this? Thank you so much in advance for any replies!

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Hello everyone! I just finished my CNA training course and want to work until I *hopefully* get accepted into the nursing program. But I'm not sure if I should apply at an LTCF or assisted living facility. What is the difference between the two in terms of the daily jobs that you perform? Because I know, obviously, that at an assisted living facility the residents can take care of themselves more than at an LTCF. So what exactly do you do as a CNA when working at an assisted living facility? And also, one more question...I have heard that one must work at an LTCF, as a CNA, before being able to work at a hospital as a CNA. Does anyone know about this? Thank you so much in advance for any replies!

One of my clinical sites was assisted living and the CNAs did just about everything. People needed help with all of the ADLs, just to different degrees.

Most patients were able to ambulate, at least to some degree, on their own. Some were able to use the bathroom on their own, but many required assisstance and there were accidents from time to time. Most of the patients fed themselves, but many needed help getting to and from the dining room.

Patients were supposed to be responsible for their own laundry, housekeeping and such, but the CNAs would help with those things, too. Some families were in denial and their loved ones were beyond assisted living- but they didn't want them to have to move.

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No, you don't have to work at a nursing home or assisted living facility before working in a hospital. I've been working as an LNA in a Emergency Room for 4 years, started fresh out of LNA training. I'm in NH, check it out in your own area...best of luck!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I started out in LTC, but I hated it....LOVED the residents, but it was impossible to give them the care they deserved because of being short staffed, no supplies, etc. But not all places are like this.

I now work in assisted living, and to me, it's very different. I like it a lot. It's a very different atmosphere. There are some residents that DO need lifts and need help with care, but most of them are independent or just need assistance with some of their ADL's. While you're still busy at ALFs, it's not as stressful as nursing homes, IMO. Congrats on finishing your CNA course, and good luck! :)

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Specializes in LTC.

I love working in my LTCF, and I've never worked in an ALF. But from what I hear, an ALF is so much easier. The problem with my LTCF is the level of care needed by all of the residents, and how much time is actually allowed to do it in. On my usual wing, there are twenty-seven residents. Of these, there are only three independent people who don't need help or encouragement for ADLs (there are a couple other independent residents but they are badly confused and need lots of help, just not for transfers).

The rest include five Hoyers, and other Ax1 or Ax2s. Usually this wing has one or two aides for all of them. We have about an hour and a half to get all of these people dressed, groomed, hygienically taken care of or else we are in big trouble by our superiors. What needs to be done does NOT get done. It is hard to spend about ten minutes with each resident, when it reality, 1.5 hours among a little over twenty residents leaves you with about FOUR minutes. It is just not possible. This is my frustration with the LTCF schedule.

Not to mention that on our CCD Unit, we have to get people up by 7:30 (only gives me an hour to get all of these people dressed and ready!), out by 9:00, down for an "hour's" nap by 9:30 AND UP AGAIN AT 10:00 FOR A MANDATORY SNACK. So screwed up! I don't mind constantly moving and working and doing my job, it's the complete lack of intelligence and common sense that went into making this stupid schedule.

Plus, I don't care what anyone says, not EVERYONE in LTCFs need to lie down between every meal, or lie down at the end of every meal to the start of the next (sleep, eat, sleep, eat, sleep, eat, sleep). But, anyway, I imagine and hear that it's different in an ALF and therefore recommend trying one of those instead. ;)

Rant over!

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Specializes in ALF, Medical, ER.

I worked in Assisted Living as a RA (resident aide) for 6 months. Daily tasks would include- waking people up for breakfast, getting them bathed and dressed and down to meals. Serve meals. Clean up dishes and re-set for next meal. Go to each assigned room and make bed, pick up trash and re-fill towels/linens. In between this also answer call bells to toilet people. I was also trained as med tech in Assisted Living so I was able to give meds, take blood sugars, give insulin etc. Also help with monthly vitals. I am working in a hospital now as a CNA and there was no pre-req there that I had to work in Assisted Living first. As long as I had my training I was good to go. I have never worked in LTC so I can't respond to that part of your question. Good luck!

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Hello everyone! I just finished my CNA training course and want to work until I *hopefully* get accepted into the nursing program. But I'm not sure if I should apply at an LTCF or assisted living facility. What is the difference between the two in terms of the daily jobs that you perform? Because I know, obviously, that at an assisted living facility the residents can take care of themselves more than at an LTCF. So what exactly do you do as a CNA when working at an assisted living facility? And also, one more question...I have heard that one must work at an LTCF, as a CNA, before being able to work at a hospital as a CNA. Does anyone know about this? Thank you so much in advance for any replies!

Not really, but some hospitals they do recommended it for 6 months experience. They put an application and get many contestant as much as possible before the dead line. They interview each people who applied for the job and will hire only one for that position. So, if you have a lot of experience, well, if you're able to pass their interview, then you will be hired.

I used to work in Kaiser, I was hired in ER department as a CNA/Radiology assistant. Basically, I help the Radiotechs to prepare for the incoming patient, check vital signs, logging them in, prep them for their drinks, etc. I asked one of the housekeeping in that department about how much they make, then I found out that he was making the same pay as I am..***. So I decided to go back to school to become LVN because my job was hard and it's not fair.

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