New CNA considering agency work

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Jun 8, 2009

I wouldn't want to do it w/o experience. I was stressed out enough just working at an LTC AFTER 2 weeks of training. But someone who's not as jittery as me might do just fine. I just lose all common sense when I'm nervous.

It might actually make you better at your job because you have to deal with unfamiliar situations, rude people, and short staffing all the time.

philippians4:13 · Jun 9, 2009

I wouldnt want to work on my own as a newbie. But...if you are at a facility then there are nurses there so you dont have to worry . Your not solely responsible for the patient as you would be if you were going to peoples homes. If the agency does send you to peoples homes then ask for only non medical clients untill you feel more confident. I liked dementia clients in the beginning because there were no medical conditions to be concerned about and they couldnt report me if I did something wrong. Ha Ha. No seriously, I just felt more comfortable because I wasnt being judged I think. They were just happy to see me and I muddled along till I got the hang of it and confidence in myself. If your in a facility you will probably be helping out the staff so you will be told what to do and when to do it and then you can ask questions. Offer to help the aids and they will help you in return if its a nice place. Agencies do pay a lot better and thats why I work for one too. I do home care and I dont take on clients with serious medical issues because I am alone there with them and dont like that. A nurse should be around but often a family cant afford that so they stick you in there instead. Dont do it. Your registration is on the line and you could lose it. Do what you feel comfortable doing and dont sway from that. I have been a CNA for 20 years and I dont do what I think a nurse should be doing and I wont take on whats over my head. Not wise. Good luck. I think you will be just fine. April

seaspray700777 · Jun 10, 2009

Great point Philippians 4:13.

I have been a cna for 15 years and the only thing I did not like about being a agency cna is: I was making alot more an hour than the cna's at these facilities that I was being sent to. Their was some animosity toward me for that, for which I truly understand. I was making more per hour but; I did not know the residents: I did not know the facility, where things were: the regular cna's would not help me much; and I never knew how long I would work for this facility. That was 7 years ago. I worked for a LTC as regular staff and it has changed somewhat because of the SEVERE understaffing problems, and when we heard that an agency cna was coming we breathed a deep sigh or relief. Instead of 16 to 19 residents we had our usual 12. So it varies from place to place. I hope I have helped a little.:redpinkhe:redbeathe:nurse:

dedream · Jun 10, 2009

Hi. I work for an agency now and it can get hairy like seaspray says, new faces, monthly sometimes daily and it take a while to get used to people and where everything is. Its like the first day everyday!! Some places are great with nurses and cnas willing to help and some are just downright awful but its experience and in my opinion makes you stronger. Even the bad facilities allows me experiences to tweak my routine. You are in luck as you get paid more than the facility aides, in my case I get paid less, but as I said before its experience I can put on paper to land that permanent gig. I say try it, the worst that can happen is that you dont like it and you can leave. Good luck!!!:redpinkhe:wink2:

nurse12b · Jun 10, 2009

I have been a CNA for several yrs and the best advise I can give you is to be nice to the PTS and other staff and that will be remembered when you come back

nurse12b · Jun 10, 2009

I have also been an agency cna at several differant places: Hospitals, nursing hms, mental health hms, and home health. I prefer the hospital the best as the hospital you get alot of experience that you don't get anywhere else. I have worked in the ER, ICU, Telemitry, Peds, Med Surge and several other parts of the hospital. With being an agency cna you get a variety of Experience that you wouldn't have if you were an enployeed by one place. Oh and if you do what to work at a hospital, they don't hire much with out experience and being with an agency you get that experience. One big advice I can give you is DON't STAY AN AIDE become a nurse. As an aide you will never get the respect you deserve and the pay will never be what it should. I am becoming a nurse and I plan on working on L&D and with the exp. I got from working with agency I know that is where I want to go. ER is not what its like on TV. Good Luck and always remember you bed side mannor counts for everything:wink2:

seaspray700777 · Jun 10, 2009

Just another piece of advice (funny) if they have a book you can look at before you start your shift read it. It is the one that tells you alittle about each resident. I had this happen to me: I jumped right in the first day to take care of a resident in LTC. I saw a wheelchair in her room so I began to get her ready for the day. She was really hard to move; big lady but after 20 precious minutes she was in her chair and all ready for breakfast. Whew, I was pouring with sweat already. I went on to get all my other residents ready. Somehow I got them all in on time.

As I was getting ready to take them all back to thier places, Here I see the resident that took me so long, tooling down the hallway like nothing! She not only could walk but was at a running pace for the chocolate an aide had left out! Just a lesson I learned:wink2: Oh, if you are wondering why I didnt ask her if she could walk and she said "of course not'. Joke was on me:wink2:

portuge · Jun 11, 2009

I use to do homecare as a CNA for years.. here and there I worked at a longtern facility. Now that I am in my last year of completing my BSN degree I have gone to working with nursing temp agencies and I love it. DON'T be nervous they will have a regular staff CNA which you will shadow and will help you. I have found that usually they are very glad to have your help and i love going to the various sections of the hospital learning new things that I don't leaqrn in clinicals in nursing school. You get to learn all the things nurses really do -- not the book things they teach you when you are on the floor.

lvaliav · Aug 17, 2009

this may seem like a silly question, but I was certified as a CNA in Aug 2008, havent had a job since. I am an interview tom. I am nervous, but my question is: will they orient me on the first day or first couple of days? I dont want to be given 12 patients without properly knowing the place. I am trying to review whatever skills by going over my notes and how to do certain skills.

CNAmonica65 · Aug 18, 2009

I had worked for an agency it was my 1st CNA job last year. It was ok i had a 12hour shift 3 days a week for a couple. It does get BORING bring a book! Then i worked in LTC i had 12 patients shadowed someone for 3 days that was it. I freaked when i had 12 patients to myself. You are extremly busy! But, i liked it.

I am looking into an agency job again

portuge · Aug 18, 2009

When you get on the floor they generally ask you if you have worked that area before or been at their facility. When you say no they will most likely pair you with the CNA that is permanent with facility. Usually there is a regular employee and a agency one, because there are always things you are not allowed to do such as acuchecks since you are agency. You will find that all floors alittle bit different. Basic skills that you learned in clinicals will be used. You are changing adult diapers, taking vitals and emptying foleys, ins and outs. This are the basic skills and providing comfort--doing turns q 2 hours. You will be fine!