Hospital vs. LTCF (brand new CNA-job search)

[nurse2b013]

Hello! I just finished up my clinicals and have completed the CNA program, but have to wait a month to take my certification exam. In my state (PA) we are allowed to work for 120 days before we get certified.

My clinicals were in a LTCF, so I got to see what the CNA's do there on a daily basis. My question is, do CNA's mainly do the same tasks in a hospital setting? I'm hoping (fingers crossed) to get into the RN program for Fall 2011, so I'm guessing that experience in a hospital would be more relevant to me when I become an RN?

I'm about to start applying for CNA jobs and was curious! Thank you!

[_katie_rae_]

If you want to get a job as a brand new CNA in a hospital get ready to fill out A LOT of applications! I was a brand new CNA and nursing student and I applied to over 10 CNA jobs at 8 different hospitals in my area. Most of the hospitals in my area require experience for CNAs and I only got one phone interview and one in person interview. From the in-person interview I was hired at a hospital on the orthopedic floor and I love it. It is different than my clinical experiences in a LTC facility but I really enjoy the fast pace and having new patients. On my floor I do vitals usually every 4 hours, but some hourly. I handle a lot of ice packs, SCD's and CPM's as well as a lot of transfers and toileting. Transfering the patients on my floor is usually pretty heavy, requiring from 1-3 people. The work in a hospital is much more medical than in LTC and would probably be more beneficial if you are planning on becoming an RN in a hospital. For me getting a job at a hospital was worth all of the work of job searching because I love it and I am studying to become an RN and I want to work in a hospital. Don't be afraid to apply to jobs that prefer experience or even ones that say they are open to current employees only, thats how I got my interview that let to my current job. Good luck to you and I hope that you find something that works for you!

[newway]

Night and day in my opinion. When I worked ltc it was mainly brief changing ( add feeding to that if you work days). I did maybe one or two vitals a shift. Your job is so much broader in a hospital. Vitals on every patient at least twice a shift, 12 lead ekg’s, specimen collection, allot of charting (vitals I/O daily weight), acu checks, folle and IV removal, and only a couple of patients that wear depends as apposed almost all. The hospital is busier but better in my opinion.