New Home Health Aid in Columbus - How do I approach getting a job at a LTC facility?

[JennyFields]

Hello!

I've been doing home health work for about five months now, however, they haven't been able to keep me above twenty hours a week most of the time (when I signed on for full time)--and I'm working 7 days a week! The intimate atmosphere and autonomous work place is great in some respects, but the erratic hours and low over all pay just isn't cutting it.

Plus, so much of what I'm doing (with some exceptions) is glorified house cleaning. I want patient experience that will help prepare me for nursing school and then working as an RN. I'm in my mid-twenties with a BA in English and am taking pre-recs at a CC so I can enter an accelerated BSN program sometime in the future. Thus, moving out of home health would be good for my professional growth in that area as well.

I have some questions if you good people would be gracious enough to lend me your experience.

Questions:

What is the best way to go about getting a STNA job at a nursing home in Ohio? I'm in Columbus, if that narrows it down.

I know there are lots of companies that offer the training and "claim" that they hook you up with jobs at the end. Is this true or just marketing?

I know I could get the class through CSCC but without the guaranteed job help. Are there advantages of going through the community college as opposed to a company?

Should you approach a LTC facility before or after you start your class? I hear some nursing programs have their STNA classes in house that they want their people to go through. Is that true?

Is it true that a nursing home has to reimburse you for your STNA training?

_____________________________________________-

I'm a hard worker with an education with eight years of mostly uninterrupted work experience with great references and willing to work any shift. I just want to get my career off the ground in the best way possible. Nursing school isn't going to hand me a job on a silver platter (neither will a STNA class) so I have to be working to get experience and professionalize NOW if I want to make this happen for me.

Thank you for your advice, and I'll look out via PM in case someone has something they want to pass on privately.

Thank you again. You're all so very helpful on here.

JF

[RNBearColumbus, BSN]

What is the best way to go about getting a STNA job at a nursing home in Ohio? I'm in Columbus, if that narrows it down.

First, you need to take the STNA class and get certified. Then you can apply at just about any LTC or SNF facility. Most are hiring on a regular bassi. At least for STNAs.

I know there are lots of companies that offer the training and "claim" that they hook you up with jobs at the end. Is this true or just marketing?

It's probably just marketing. Most of the for profit places that teach STNA classes do not have formal relationships with a facility. However, there are some facilities that offer the classes, and then may hire a student one the class is completed and the certification test is passed.

I know I could get the class through CSCC but without the guaranteed job help. Are there advantages of going through the community college as opposed to a company?

The advantage would be that you get college credit for taking the course at CSCC. The CSCC course is required for the nursing program. Taking the CSCC course would also add to your GPA. I took the course at CSCC and it prepared me well for working as an STNA while I was in nursing school.

Should you approach a LTC facility before or after you start your class? I hear some nursing programs have their STNA classes in house that they want their people to go through. Is that true?

As I mentioned before, some facilities offer the class and then offer jobs to those who successfully complete the course. Most facilities however (At least in the Columbus area) do NOT offer the classes and expect applicants to be certified before applying.

Is it true that a nursing home has to reimburse you for your STNA training?

No. The hiring facility does not have to reimburse you for the cost of taking the class. Some facilities may offer that as a hiring perk, but it is usually dependent on remaining employed by the facility for a certain period of time before you are reimbursed.

I hope this information was helpful. I think you will find that being hired as an STNA will not be that difficult, especially if you are willing to work any shift. Best of Luck!

[JennyFields]

Thank you so much! I don't plan to go to CSCC for the nursing program (already have a BA, plan to go to a second degree program for the BSN), but their STNA training must be good if that's what the nursing students get. Thanks for the detailed advice. Much appreciated!

[havartart]

Is it true that a nursing home has to reimburse you for your STNA training?

Yes. It's the law, but the employer will try to keep it secret.

Code of Federal Regulations

42 CFR 483.152 © Prohibition of charges

(1)

No nurse aide who is employed by, or who has received an offer of employment from, a facility on the date on which the aide begins a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program may be charged for any portion of the program (including any fees for text books or other required course materials).

(2)

If an individual who is not employed, or does not have an offer to be employed as a nurse aide, becomes employed by, or receives an offer of employment from a facility not later than 12 months after completing a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program, the state must provide for the reimbursement of costs incurred in completing the program on a pro rata basis during the period in which the individual is employed as a nurse aide.