Nursing Home or Hospital?

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In regards to and along the lines of my previous post this morning:

For a new-coming CNA; what would y'all suggest I do (again, I realize these are only suggestions and not necesarrily "what I should do") as far as where I should work? Should I try to get a job at a Nursing Home or a Hospital?

I know a couple people replied in my previous thread about the 120 hour instead of the 75 hour (which I believe is good advice and I'm going to look into switching instead of the 75); a couple people hit on this stating that a 120 would make it easier to work in a hospital.

I'm wondering if I should try to work for a Nursing Home since it's more laid back and relaxed. I'm looking to work a graveyard shift (and here's why-->). I'm thinking that I will be able to work a 10-6 shift (or something related to that) and I would be able to possibly study some at night while I'm working. I've been in a few Nursing Homes where a friend of mine worked and she was able to do a little bit of studying in between running "rounds." She's going for her RN as well.

Again, I could be wrong but that's why I'm coming to my new found friends! =P I'm just wondering if a night position at a Nursing Home would be more suitable for me while I'm in school. Or should I really try to just get in with a Hospital?

My classes are running me 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM. So I'm thinking maybe (maybe) I should work a 10-6 and then get ready for classes in the morning after work .. go to school, come home and study/sleep. Is that any kind of a plan or is that a layout for disaster? (Ha!)

Is experience more what I'm gonna be looking for while I'm in school and working? Becuase if so, I'm assuming that a hospital is where I'm gonna wanna be .. or maybe no?

Thanks guys .. I love y'all for your help! :p

*Michael.

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Somebody help me here, dangit. :eek:

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first, work 3-11

school, after working all night, sucks!

second, it depends on where you want to work after getting your license...

both will be valuable experiences in WHICHEVER type of nursing you choose...

This, coming from a former 7 year ER nurse who looked down on nursing home nurses, who now runs a nursing home on the weekends...

my point?

ALL (nursing) experiences make you a better nurse, you just have to make the best of them, and DO your best at each! Learn what you can from each, and apply it to the next...

A patient is a patient is a patient, NO MATTER WHERE YOU ENCOUNTER ONE!!!!!!!!

sean

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Understood hogan. :) Understood. Thank you very much.

The reason I believe I have always (ever since I got serious about this Nursing career) leaned more toward Nursing Homes and LTC Facility work environments is because I love people. I love to get to know people. I love to help people. Sometime I swear .. I SWEAR my purpose of being on Earth (and everyone has their own, I believe) is to simply help as many people and touch as many lives as I possibly can during my time here. I swear, it .. I know, I'm a freak-o, heh. Ha!

I think a Nursing Home (again, imho) is something I'd absolutely fall in love with because I would have the satisfaction of knowing that those who (most at least) have been "dumped" in an LTC facility by their families and abondoned (imo) are the ones I will directly affect. I will get to interact with them and in their lives. I will get to help them out .. and be there for them .. and that's all they really want to carry on with life, ya know? .. or maybe I have it all confused and I'm wacked out, heh.

Anyways .. this is my reasoning. I just wanna make sure I'm making a good career decision too, heh. (Besides, I've heard - maybe I'm wrong - that you make more money in a Nursing Home.) ...

*Michael.

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:)

hi fr33shot, i just read your post,and i am in almost the same situation. i am now doing cna training 100 hrs. our classes are mainly centered on nursing home work. i am wondering if i should work afterwards in nursing home or hospital? i will begin classes for surgical tech in january. since i will definately be in a hospital after completing that program i was leaning more on hospital work now. but like you i really wasn't sure and the shift was a problem also. someone adviced me to do the 11:00-7:00 shift part time and surgical tech classes during day. more easy on you (less work at night) that may be so, but it would be hard for me to get any rest during the day. have kids. so i think i will do morning shift or evening shift. yes i do believe nursing homes pay more, but the work is more also, pts need more help. i am going to work i think in nursing home. good luck

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Thanks so much, lanie! Yes, it's good to know someone's feelin' me out there. :) That's encouraging, heh.

Fortunately, I have no children so my schedule is wide open. I don't think I'd have a problem with working nights and then going to school in the morning. Someone advised against going to school right after work because it makes it hard. I realize this but, I've also done this before. :) I spent a year and a half at Business college here where I'm at and I went there immediately after work five days a week. I'm pretty sure I can do it.

*Michael.

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I can't advise on the nursing home vs. hospital thing as I have never worked in a nursing home. However, I did pick up on "maybe I will have time to study on the 10-6 shift". Don't plan on it! In fact, that is a great way to get fired in most places. Work at work then study at home. You can't focus on your studies like you should when you are working and you will not be focused on your job. The real key to getting an education is to stay focused at the appropriate times. Decide your long-term goals (school, advance in career) then make everything else conform to that. Good luck. P.S. If I were looking at your job application I would be delighted to know you were continuing your education.

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical, PACU, ICU, and Psych.

hi michael! :) my advice would be to NOT work the 10-6 shift...i know from personal experience that it is terrible to sit through classes after working all night....once i sat down and stopped running around it seemed like my body just shut down and i was exhausted. 3-11 sounds like a good option for you, although it might be difficult to get homework completed.

as for hospital or nursing home....i would reccommend working a hospital as a student. i am a senior BSN student and i have been working as a student nurse on a busy surgical floor. it is great! i have learned so much and actually get to experience some things i learn about in class. BUT, if you want to work in LTC, then you should try the nursing home.

i think either way, it will be a great learning experience. good luck with whatever you decide! :D

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Gee! Thanks guys for everyone's input. Everyday I log in and check to see what posts have been made and if I've posted something .. I see if there's a reply. Thanks so much for all your advice and information! :) And thank you for that warning of advice purplemania. I really do appreciate it. And I have already considered what you said. :) I will definitely NOT do what I thought would be okay, heh. (Honestly, I didn't know that that was a bad idea. :o ). So thanks guys!

*Michael.

PS. I'll make a totally different post on this last note so that everyone who's seen me post and who's given me the wonderful advise they've given me .. can know .. but I will be re-registering and switching screen names as of tomorrow (I'm hoping). I'm switching to the screen name of "coffeejavule." So everyone will know who I am. :) "freeshot" used to be my online gaming name but I have had to retire and leave from all my teams and games .. and completely concentrate on "real life" stuff, hehe. I just couldn't think of a unique nick .. so I used "fr33shot" while I was thinking. :) Thanks guys, again!!

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