FUTURE CNA

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So I'm excited about becoming a CNA...where is the best place to start off while trying to make it to work in the hospital

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I am a student CNA myself and I was told most CNAs start off working in nursing homes--to get some experience. Then after 6 months, you could go and work for a hospital. This is what I am planning to do after I pass my test. :)

CNAs can work in hospice care and home health. For some reason, hospitals do not count home health as experience.

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Specializes in Long term care.

Working in home care just doesn't give you the experience you need for working in a hospital. Hospitals can be fast paced. Home care, you almost always have just one client...maybe 2(a husband/wife). Home care you do alot of house cleaning and errands and not nearly as much direct care.

In a nursing home, you will learn all sorts of skills and get to use the skills you learned while doing the training for CNA.

You will most certainly learn to be organinzed and move quickly while still getting things done the right way.

You will learn to be part of a team.

You will use SO many of your skills all the time when working in a nursing home! If you work home care you use very few of those skills and some you won't use at all.

That's why hospitals prefer 6 months LTC facility experience.

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I am a student CNA myself and I was told most CNAs start off working in nursing homes--to get some experience. Then after 6 months you could go and work for a hospital. This is what I am planning to do after I pass my test. :) CNAs can work in hospice care and home health. For some reason, hospitals do not count home health as experience.[/quote']

True, but speaking as a now-nurse and a former CNA both in Long term care and hospital, you're going to find more job openings in nursing homes. Also, the hospitals in my area require a minimum of one year's experience elsewhere to apply so do be sure you look into the requirements where you are.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

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Hello!

I have worked for both home health and a LTC facility and working in a facility will definitely give you the right experience for a hospital. Home health is about companionship, chores, errands, cooking, cleaning, not necessarily wiping butts, ADLs, etc. I have really enjoyed working at the LTC facility. I have learned so much! Make sure you research the company you will be working for. Not all of them are created equal!

Good luck!

Brook

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Oh okay thank you so much for that information! :)

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