Great places to work in Western MA

So I know it is not a good idea to dish about the bad work experiences we've had but I'd like to know about some of the best places to work as a CNA in Western MA. I am doing the Red Cross CNA class currently and will be looking for part-time work when I start (hopefully:rolleyes:) my full-time ADN program this fall. In general I hear hospitals pay better so I plan to apply to any and all in the area, however I also hear those spots aren't easy to get. So where would you recommend as a great place to work and why?

[hotflashion, BSN, RN]

Where in western MA? It's a small state but if you're in North Adams, it's a loooong commute to Springfield.

Others may have personal opinions, which I don't. However, I would apply to a magnet hospital: Baystate Medical in Springfield is one. It's also a teaching hospital, lots of interesting things going on. Magnet hospitals are hospitals that have met standards for exceptional nursing care.

List of Massachusetts Hospitals here: http://www.massmedboard.org/links/hospital_list.shtm

[studentmom77]

yeah Baystate definately seems to be the place to be around here, I am hoping to find something close to either home or school, home is Belchertown and school is Greenfield so I will already be commuting 45 min. each way 5 days a week if I have to go to Springfield I will but Franklin Medical or Cooley would be 1st choices for hospitals. I am wondering more about LTC facilities since I'm really unaware of what is around here.

[hotflashion, BSN, RN]

You can look here and find nursing homes near you and their ratings:

http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/Include/DataSection/Questions/SearchCriteriaNEW.asp?version=default&browser=Firefox|3.5|Windows+Vista&language=English&defaultstatus=0&pagelist=Home&CookiesEnabledStatus=True

But you wanted personal opinions, so I hope you get some.

Good luck!

[studentmom77]

Thanks so much that is a great link and will be very helpful.

[fabiusgile]

Farren Care Center Turners Falls.... LTC psych... good times

[drmorton2b]

I've heard about the Farren Center they have a lot of Psych.

One of my favorite places. I wasn't working there as a nurse. Is Parkview Specialty Hospital (Now Kindred) in Springfield, Its the old Springfield Municipal Hospital (which until 1997 was pretty much a Sub-acute/Rehab place).

Its pretty much a sub-acute/rehab hospital. With a DMH Psychiatric Floor.

They used to have your typical geriatric long term care units but they closed in 2003 due to the great medicare/medicaid cuts.

[fabiusgile]

I recently gave up in mass. I work subacute right now... but can't get a hospital to return a call... flying out of state this weekend for an interview