Is it wise to stay in long term care?

EMTJAY · Jun 25, 2011

Do you plan on becoming a RN in the future? If so consider your CNA position a stepping stone to a better career. I do hope you go on and continue your education in the future, and not stay a CNA for the rest of your life. IMO I wouldn't work in a LTC facility forever, plan on moving on to another health care setting. I don't think your skills will be lost if you move on to something else. IMO CNA skills are not that technical.

interceptinglight, CNA · Jun 25, 2011

If you like taking care of people even though it may be hard work sometimes, it would be good to stay in long-term care if you can. Because the work is hard and the pay is low, there is a high turnover rate of employees. If you are not going to continue your education on to becoming a licensed nurse, it's kind of nice to see someone who enjoys working as a CNA because you will become better at it the longer you stay.

mynhii · Jun 25, 2011

Do you plan on becoming a RN in the future? If so consider your CNA position a stepping stone to a better career. I do hope you go on and continue your education in the future, and not stay a CNA for the rest of your life. IMO I wouldn't work in a LTC facility forever, plan on moving on to another health care setting. I don't think your skills will be lost if you move on to something else. IMO CNA skills are not that technical.

Thank you very much.

I'm still thinking about becoming an RN. However, even if I do go on my education, I still prefer geriatrics. Not sounding like a racist, I have heard horrible stories about how elderly people are treated in our society. This is the aspect of American culture that I don't want to adapt, so I really want to take care of old people regardless of my CNA or RN status. I may or may not move on to another setting. If I do, oncology or hospice would be my option. But the job is only in hospital, isn't it? Perhaps after ltc, I may try hospital, but I still want to work in the areas I have passion for. How long did it take you to find work?

EMTJAY · Jun 26, 2011

Thank you very much.
I'm still thinking about becoming an RN. However, even if I do go on my education, I still prefer geriatrics. Not sounding like a racist, I have heard horrible stories about how elderly people are treated in our society. This is the aspect of American culture that I don't want to adapt, so I really want to take care of old people regardless of my CNA or RN status. I may or may not move on to another setting. If I do, oncology or hospice would be my option. But the job is only in hospital, isn't it? Perhaps after ltc, I may try hospital, but I still want to work in the areas I have passion for. How long did it take you to find work?

If you were planning on becoming a RN in the future than working in the hospital would be the way to go. I believe you won't do much, if any Pt care in a LTC or hospice setting working as a RN. Keep this mind, by working in a hospital as a CNA you still have the opportunity to work with the elderly. Granted, by working at a hospital the Pt won't be living out there life there, but at least you have the opportunity to care for them. Also, in most the pay would be better at a hospital, plus you may have a better work environment.

As far as the culture of treating our elderly, yes it's very different from Asian culture. In most cases it's hard to give a family member 24 hour care when you have your own financial obligations. It's easier to put the family member in a nursing home, so they are able to get all full care they need. That's not always the case though. I myself never want to be put into a nursing home with all that I've seen.

I am not working as a CNA at the moment. I work for a private ambulance company doing IFT transport(nursing home, hospital to hospital), with the occasional emergency call. I have a PCA position at a hospital lined up once the State of Texas verifies my CNA cert from California. I for one will never work in a LTC/nursing home no matter what. Oh yes my wife is a BSN =D

yousoldtheworld · Jun 26, 2011

If you were planning on becoming a RN in the future than working in the hospital would be the way to go. I believe you won't do much, if any Pt care in a LTC or hospice setting working as a RN.

This is not universally true. At the facilities around here, the RNs work the floor just like the LPNs do.

LeighaChristineSN · Jun 26, 2011

If you are passionate about long term care stick with it. Long term care is not for everyone (like me I can't wait to get out) and the people in long term care facilities need people who are passionate about it. Always remember nothing is forever, if you ever felt burnt out then you'll be able to look for another place to work. Good luck!

mynhii · Jun 26, 2011

If you are passionate about long term care stick with it. Long term care is not for everyone (like me I can't wait to get out) and the people in long term care facilities need people who are passionate about it. Always remember nothing is forever, if you ever felt burnt out then you'll be able to look for another place to work. Good luck!

Thank you and good luck with the setting you choose to work.

My youngest aunt worked in a nursing home. Her job was mostly serving food to the elderly people. The people from that nursing home were from wealthy families, so they were very difficult and easily moody. They would find any reason to criticize employees there. According to my aunt, they acted like that because they lived on money. My aunt quit her job because it was too physically demanding. I know that some day I may have to get out too. Perhaps I won't be able to stay as long as I think I could. Although I say what I say, I'm not perfect and who knows I won't be able to stand patients' attitude. I'll do my best.

Is it difficult for you to find work? Did your clinical site hire you?