New CNA looking at options

[tucker925]

Hi all...I'm a pre-nursing student who has recently completed my CNA (curriculum requirement) and I am looking for a part time job (preferably 3rd shift). I have had a couple of interviews and am trying to decide what's the best choice so I thought I would ask for some opinions. One option is an assisted living place. The person I interviewed with said that the biggest challenge would be to stay awake! She said that there's very little to do at night and that many students use that time to study. I don't really need study time right now, but will in the future. The downside for now is that it's currently a flex position and that she can only guarantee me 4 shifts per month, but that she rather certain that I could work more if I wanted to. The second option is at a SNF on the Alzheimer's floor. I imagine that the work load would be much more intense, but also the experience would teach me much more as well. I've also been trying to apply at a local hospital, but they don't want to even call me back! I don't have any experience in healthcare, but I do have my bachelor's degree in an unrelated field and have had solid work experience. I have been out of the work force for about 8 years, but work ethics usually don't fade away. Also...how do each of the above options look from the point of view of another employer...like is the assisted living place going to give me enough experience so that if I wanted to try again for a hospital position I'm not stuck in the same position I am right now -- that they don't want to talk to me. Oh, and...the SNF position is a union position...how would that change things from a non-union position?

Anyway...I would appreciate any and all opinions on this.

Thanks

[Dorito, ASN, RN]

I would probably take the SNF job if I were a new CNA and looking towards a future in nursing. I think your job prospects would be better if you are ultimately wanting to get into a hospital. Also, you'll see a lot of other medical issues in long term than you might if you took the assisted living positioin. Also, you'll probably get more hours. Good luck in whatever you choose.

[casi, ASN, RN]

It really depends on what you get out of the experience. Have you asked about the jobs and the workload? How many residents you'll be taking care of?

Those who work Assisted Living and then SNF have simular jobs, but have a very different approach. Necissary tasks also vary.

I'm an aide in Assisted Living, if you have and questions PM me.

[tucker925]

I just had my 2nd interview at the Assisted Living place. She offered me a position and said that she could almost guarantee me more hours, especially if I could do 2nd shift as well. I told her I would let her know by Wednesday. I have a 2nd interview with the Alzheimers floor tomorrow.

[smckenzi]

I am a nursing student who currently works in an intermediate care facility on 3rd shift. The time to study is great and the shift differential is also nice :). Having worked at both a snf and an icf i would recommend the icf do to the stress of school. You will still learn as much at the assisted living center if not more because the nurses are not so stressed you they can teach you things.

[MissJoRN, RN]

I worked in a SNF, Alzheimers/ elder psych unit, then home health prior to starting nsg school. Once in school I contined home health/ private duty but also did agency staffing in SNF and Asst Living. I loved my Asst Living shifts, I did get more study time and did have some time and opportunity to learn about residents' health issues. Another advantage... I am not condoning this practice, it honestly scares me from what I sometimes saw first hand, but... In most asst living facilities, as an aide, you will be "helping" residents with their meds, which really means following a med book and passing the meds. I've seen many aides to whom being an aide is just a job, passing meds is just part of it, and who cares what they do as long as the name in the book matches the name on the pill pack? But for a nursing student who (I expect!!) takes medication safety seriously it can be an advantage to you to be handling meds regularly and matching them up to your residents' conditions. Be different, do your med pass with a drug book nearby and you'll pick stuff up fast! You may even be doing accu checks and giving insulin, skills and concepts that will help in school, and you probably wont be allowed to do in a SNF. You'll still be doing the same peri care, assisting with oral hygiene, simple wound care, etc as in the SNF.

Good Luck!

[tucker925]

Now...for those who do work at assisted living (is this also known as an intermediate care facility?), is there an RN on 3rd shift? The impression I got was that it was just 2 CNAs at night. They did say that if I wanted more hours and I was willing to also work 2nd shift, they could probably get me to 16 - 20 hours per week.

I was trying to describe the job to one of my friends and the only thing I could think of was that it is a cross between a CNA and a resident assistant in a college dorm! The pay isn't the greatest, but I'm thinking that the work load will be much less than in a nursing home. Not that I ever consider myself lazy, but let's face it...I would be able to get paid to study -- this is huge!! As of now, I'm leaning in favor of taking this position, but will have to see what they say at my 2nd interview tomorrow at the SNF.

[MissJoRN, RN]

Most assisted facilities I've seen have only aides at night. Some have an RN on days M-F and on call at other times as a supervisor only, all care is given by aides, some have an LPN on all shifts for meds and all other care by aides with an RN scheduled less frequently (those facilities are few and far, in my experience) some facilites I've been in had only aides overnight (once, I was the only aide) but are attatched or across a driveway from a SNF with an RN/LPN available if needed