LTC/SNF, Hospital, Home Health, Assisted Living....

Paws2people · Feb 20, 2014

Depends on the facility, shift, patient census, and preference of the CNA, etc etc.

i_love_patient_care · Feb 21, 2014

I agree with paws. I've done all of them. Personally, I like home health the best because I only have to worry about one person and it's easier on my body.

Missingyou, CNA · Feb 23, 2014

They all have their advantages and challenges.

In my opinion, from my experience, in order of hardest to easiest:

1)Nursing home: difficult because you are constantly moving. Often don't get your breaks. Residents can be the most challenging with dementia and level of disability, sometimes can be a challenge with co-workers and getting needed assistance. etc Good points: You get to know your residents. You usually have set number of hours and a routine.

2)Hospital. You are always moving, but it isn't as crazy as a nursing home. You don't know the patients because they are always coming and going. You sometimes get bumped to other floors/units because of census. Good points: Patients can communicate their needs a little better. When you have a challenging patient, they often go home after a few days and you no longer have to "deal" with them.

3) Assisted living. Usually fairly easy since not all your assigned residents will need your help since they would most likely be in a nursing home if they required more intense care/monitoring. The facility will often assign additional duties to fill those "down times" with things like laundry, and cleaning.

4) Home health care. You more often than not will only have 1 client to care for. Sometimes you get a husband and wife and both need care. You spend most of your time cleaning and doing errands. Sometimes help with a shower. It has been my experience that the hours are very inconsistant! You may have 30 hours one week and the next week you have only 2 hours.(client go to hospital/die/get better..... Good point: You probably will have time to study!

mee9mee9 · Feb 23, 2014

They all have their advantages and challenges.
In my opinion, from my experience, in order of hardest to easiest:
1)Nursing home: difficult because you are constantly moving. Often don't get your breaks. Residents can be the most challenging with dementia and level of disability, sometimes can be a challenge with co-workers and getting needed assistance. etc Good points: You get to know your residents. You usually have set number of hours and a routine.
2)Hospital. You are always moving, but it isn't as crazy as a nursing home. You don't know the patients because they are always coming and going. You sometimes get bumped to other floors/units because of census. Good points: Patients can communicate their needs a little better. When you have a challenging patient, they often go home after a few days and you no longer have to "deal" with them.
3) Assisted living. Usually fairly easy since not all your assigned residents will need your help since they would most likely be in a nursing home if they required more intense care/monitoring. The facility will often assign additional duties to fill those "down times" with things like laundry, and cleaning.
4) Home health care. You more often than not will only have 1 client to care for. Sometimes you get a husband and wife and both need care. You spend most of your time cleaning and doing errands. Sometimes help with a shower. It has been my experience that the hours are very inconsistant! You may have 30 hours one week and the next week you have only 2 hours.(client go to hospital/die/get better..... Good point: You probably will have time to study!

i know there is no such thing as job security anymore but which one has the most job opportunities in your opinion?

Missingyou, CNA · Feb 24, 2014

It seems to me that LTC is ALWAYS hiring because it is the most challenging. Not everyone can handle the work load. You either love it or hate it.

Assisted living is always hiring because they generally don't pay as much as LTC or a hospital.

and

Home care is also always hiring because the hours are so unpredictable and the pay is usually the least of all. If you need a steady income, homecare is NOT for you. But, it's great if you're going to school, since you will often have study time!

I think a hospital gives you the most opportunity to learn new things. You generally have more responsibility in a hospital as well as more exposure to different patient needs. Heart patients, orthopedic patients, intensive care...and the list goes on. In a LTC and Assisted living as well as home care, your residents for the most part will be seniors with mobility issues, and dementia.