We see so many of these, "I've been a CNA for 2 weeks and I hate my job!" threads in here, along with, "I'm in clinicals and I can't BELIEVE my school chose such a subpar facility!" posts. I can kind of understand the latter- it can be a culture shock seeing how a nursing home is run at first. I know I was definitely guilty of expecting the CNAs there to hold my widdle hand and coddle me so I could get a chance to practice all the skills. I didn't realize how structured the job is and how little time they had to baby the CNA students.
But I wonder how someone could get through clinicals and then still be surprised when they get a job that the workload is heavy, shortcuts are taken, and the job is mostly toileting. What did they think it was going to be like? It seems like they either expect to do vitals and assist with procedures all day like medical assistant, or they thought they'd get to spend hours fluffing the pillows of little old ladies.
Before you became a CNA, what were your expectations of the job?
In my experience, sometimes the hospital is less physically demanding, but sometimes it's not. Since you're getting different patients all the time, every day was a mixed bag. There would be days when all of my patients were fairly independent, and there would be days when all of my patients were those total cares from the nursing home that so many people don't want to take care of.
And at my hospital, call lights were just insane. There was rarely a moment without a call light. And demanding families. Yes, you have those in LTC, but they aren't THERE constantly the way a lot of families are at the hospital.
The hospital can be a great place to work, but it's frustrating after years of reading these boards, how every new or potential aide seems to have "HOSPITALS ARE GOOD, LTC IS BAD" pounded into their heads, and that's just not the case. They are different atmospheres, with similar goals, and neither is suitable for everyone.
You get a wider variety of patients at the hospital, the work load is usually more reasonable, and you see a lot, but most patients aren't there long enough to form much of a bond with them (and I found I missed that). Also, there are SO MANY isolation rooms these days, and I find it so irritating to have to gown up every time I enter a room.
On the other hand, LTC tends to go for a more home-like atmosphere, so sometimes things are a little more relaxed (and that does not mean the work is relaxed, just that they strive for a homey atmosphere for the residents), and you have the same residents long term so you get a chance to build relationships with them...but depending on your facility it can be horribly physically demanding with all the lifting.
Both have their perks and downfalls. If you end up working at an LTC, it's not a death sentence. Heck, you may end up liking it.
Exactly. I'm just sick of hearing new CNA's talk about working in the hospital like it'll be a walk in the park. I mean I like working in the hospital but it is definitely no walk in the park!
I had no idea that the cna's would do all the work and the five lpn's would sit behind the NS and chat on the phone or play with there androids and eat all night.
I knew it would not be easy, but why is there always a handful of people that do all the work and the rest of the staff see how they can get out of it?
I had no idea that the cna's would do all the work and the five lpn's would sit behind the NS and chat on the phone or play with there androids and eat all night.
I knew it would not be easy, but why is there always a handful of people that do all the work and the rest of the staff see how they can get out of it?
I don't even see how that's possible!! Must have something to do with how some facilities are staffed. Where I work each person is assigned a number of residents, and if they don't do the work on those people nobody else will -- and this will get noted in your employee evaluation -- that goes for the nurses as well. Holy moly, each of our nurses has at least 30 residents per shift and none of them ever have time to 'sit around'!! The only time you see a nurse or a CNA sitting down is on their assigned break or when they pause at the nurse's station to do charting. The rest of the time everyone is on their feet and running about like maniacs. Heck, I even chart standing up because I'm afraid of how hard it will be to get up again if I sit down......
Occasionally the census will be low, and the director of nursing will get all mad and send people home. The objective is to get as much work out of as few people as possible, saving money is the bottom line -- not giving people better care.
yousoldtheworld
1,196 Posts
In my experience, sometimes the hospital is less physically demanding, but sometimes it's not. Since you're getting different patients all the time, every day was a mixed bag. There would be days when all of my patients were fairly independent, and there would be days when all of my patients were those total cares from the nursing home that so many people don't want to take care of.
And at my hospital, call lights were just insane. There was rarely a moment without a call light. And demanding families. Yes, you have those in LTC, but they aren't THERE constantly the way a lot of families are at the hospital.
The hospital can be a great place to work, but it's frustrating after years of reading these boards, how every new or potential aide seems to have "HOSPITALS ARE GOOD, LTC IS BAD" pounded into their heads, and that's just not the case. They are different atmospheres, with similar goals, and neither is suitable for everyone.
You get a wider variety of patients at the hospital, the work load is usually more reasonable, and you see a lot, but most patients aren't there long enough to form much of a bond with them (and I found I missed that). Also, there are SO MANY isolation rooms these days, and I find it so irritating to have to gown up every time I enter a room.
On the other hand, LTC tends to go for a more home-like atmosphere, so sometimes things are a little more relaxed (and that does not mean the work is relaxed, just that they strive for a homey atmosphere for the residents), and you have the same residents long term so you get a chance to build relationships with them...but depending on your facility it can be horribly physically demanding with all the lifting.
Both have their perks and downfalls. If you end up working at an LTC, it's not a death sentence. Heck, you may end up liking it.