Hospital vs nursing home

[ph94]

I'm going for nursing school and doing CNA training which would be the best place to work?

Any stories or advice please!

[A&Ox6, MSN, RN]

Wherever you get a job! New grad cnas are having difficulty finding jobs in many regions. I live in New York. The hospitals tell me to go agency, and agencies tell me I need 1-2 years paid cna experience. And they don't care that I'm a nursing student!

[x_factor]

I did clinicals in a nursing home and hated it. I worked in a hospital on a busy medsurg unit. I enjoyed it a lot, and learned quite a bit.

[nursesunflower85]

My cna clinicals where in a nursing home, not for me.I now work in a hospital in DOU, a lot of high acuity total care patients, incontinent, feeders, bed bound, but I love it! Keeps me busy and I like that you always have patients coming and going, in a nursing home however I've heard from my friends that work, they love getting to know their patients. So it is really up to you as far as where to work. However, to get hired at a hospital you need experience, I was blessed to know people at the hospital where I now work at that where able to get me an interview. Good luck!

[nursesunflower85]

Since you are in nursing school, a hospital will give you a lot of exposure. I am in nursing school as well, and I appreciate all the exposure I've gotten from my job, it made me more comfortable to be in a hospital setting, while every hospital is different, knowing hospital equipment, and always being in that environment helps.

Ex, u learn about different types of drains in class like a Jackson Pratt, but u might not see it in clinical, if u work in a med surg unit you will.

Also to get your toes wet in different departments try to be a floater cna.

[mind_body_soul RN]

It seems like in my area the LTC's pay around minimum wage. My friend works as a tech at the hospital and she makes around $12/hr, more for night/weekend/ differentials and holidays. I agree though, you may not have a lot of options.

[becalee26]

I think as a new CNA, it is easier to get a job in a LTC Facility first. I did get three job offeres right way but all three in LTC, the hospitals wanted experience. I am very happy that I did get a job at a LTC, but on their sub acute Rehab floor. There are a few long term residents there, but mostly short term rehab patients. My plan is to get a job in a hospital but I am going to stay at my currently job for at least 6 months before I start applying again.