LPN grad not sure where to work

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Specializes in Rehab, LTC.

Ok here is my situation. I have been a CNA for a year. I really liked the 1st place I worked at which was a Rehab Hospital. But it paid really low and was about 30 minutes from home. I left there in April to work at a nursing home closer to home with a really good reputation. They take great care of their residents. They don't have skin break down issues, it smells nice, and the acquity of the residents is pretty low. I think there is one person with a G-tube in the entire very large facility. I was upfront with them and told them that in the beginning of July I would be finished with my LPN and plan to work there, which was all fine and dandy according to them. I have seen some things at this facility that I don't like. For example, in the dementia unit we have a resident that beats up the aides and nurses on every shift. The facility I work at chooses to turn the other cheek, and gets angry at the CNA's when we fill out an incident report regarding our injuries. When I recently spoke to the DON about an LPN position she told me she's not sure if a spot will be open for me. Just kind of rubbed me the wrong way. It is also a nursing home for Nun's who can be some very cranky, demanding ladies!

I am currently in clinical and working at another nursing home. The reputation in the community is no where as "flawless" as my current facility. It's an older facility without all of the "bells and whistles" that my current facility has. However they do offier education assistance, and I will be going directly into an RN program. I've been there for 6 weeks and really enjoy the residents, and the staff. I spoke with the DON about a possible position there and she was very friendly and open to me applying for a position.

I'm just not sure what to do. Is the grass just looking greener on the other side?

Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU.

Sounds like the grass might be greener on the other side. I mean yes, it sucks that the dementia patient is beating up on the staff, I've been in that situation and it sucks but it's better than working in a facility where it's 1 aide and 1 nurse for 60+ residents depending on the shift, see what I'm saying?

However, just bide your time until you get out of school, then make your decision on where you want to work.

Best of luck!

P.S. Keep filling out the incident reports if you get injured, it's better to have a manager with hurt feelings because she has extra paperwork than to be injured on the job and unable to get worker's comp due to lack of documentation.

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