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???
Like they all said home care. who knows you might even like it more than working in a long term facility. At least I like home care better, less stress on the knees.
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[/quote
Well I didn't like how I would have to drive my car around town without them paying for gas, which I thought they would. I feel like I will be losing money more than making it.
VA hospital sounds like a great idea! I don't know why I didn't of that earlier. I'm an army veteran/army wife. Its 30 mintures away from home(without traffic), but they bus/train stations over there.
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!:)
I live in northern Cobb county. It seems like they want experience or medication aide experience.
Yes the driving can be a problem, and your right unless it is way out there I do not get reimbersed either for my gas. Though my particular agency does their best at giving me clients that are fairly close to where I live. Some of my passed clients were even so close by they only took 5 to 10 minutes to get there. On average it takes me 20 to 30 minutes to get to their homes. But I understand the concern. Other agancies might not be so cousious and care a lot about what clients you get and how far you have to travel.
Good Luck with the va hospital. I did my CNA clinicals at one and loved it. If I did not have my home care job already it would have been one of the places I might have wanted to work.
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.
I don't like the idea of burning gas without them paying for it. I live in the country and everything is faaaaar away. Lol
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.
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?
There is a lot to be said for anything to get a start. I do think that the advantages of being a CNA in LTC (unlikely in my area you can start at a hospital) are that you have support, training and it's a safer environment. Plus there's a lot to be said for learning how to manage care for a number of patients. You also have the benefit of learning from other CNAs. I learned so much during my orientation at my facility. I got to see many different ways of doing things and then to pick the ones that worked for me.
I did home care for about three weeks before I landed a job in LTC. Eventually I think I would enjoy that kind of one-on-one but right now, a facility is best for my learning curve.
I don't like the idea of burning gas without them paying for it. I live in the country and everything is faaaaar away. Lol
Also, I found that many clients in homecare want you to do things like vacumn, iron, do laundry, cook... valuable skills and services but not things that help YOU to meet your goals of getting the best job in health care.
Also, I found that many clients in homecare want you to do things like vacumn, iron, do laundry, cook... valuable skills and services but not things that help YOU to meet your goals of getting the best job in health care.
Sorry for being offline for awhile. I just want to update you all with whats been going on.
I was contacted by another home health agency who specializes in home rehab. The clients have spinal cord injuries, post-surgery, etc. I will not be dealing with just the elderly, but also children and adults who are recovering from an accident or something.
It seems like I will never escape the realm of rehab. I am going them a chance. After all, they start experienced CNAs with $12 with benefits. Also, they are looking for people to work 12 hour shifts Monday thru Friday 9am to 9pm or 9pm to 9am. Weekends are optional. Plus, I will be covering the town I live, which is separated into two different zip codes (its quite big).
I will be going on an interview soon. I know my posts kind of contradict each other, but thats how my thinking process works lol.
mvm2
1,001 Posts
Good point betm.... My home agency will sign for my renewal but I also heard that some will not