tucker925

Hi all... I recently accepted a position as a CNA in the CCU of our local hospital. This is my first job as a CNA and I'm a little nervous as to what will be expected of me. I'm waiting to get into my clinicals so I thought this would be a great way to learn while I'm waiting to start. This is my second career and I've been a manager during my first career -- I'm hoping that experience will allow me to not take things personally -- like thinking that the nurses are out to haze me or something! (my prior experience will hopefully allow me to exercise humility!) The NM understands that I have no prior experience in a healthcare environment. I have a tendancy to be a self starter, but since I am stepping into a completely new area for me, I have some fear as well. Any comments/advice would be appreciated!

Hi all...I'm a nursing student and I have been looking for a position as a CNA. I've been offered a job in an Assisted Living Home and it seems pretty easy as far as job duties. Wage doesn't seem bad. I have an interview at a local hospital tomorrow and am trying to find out how the pay would compare. I imagine the workload would be much higher in the hospital although this may not be all bad because I will be working part time third shift and I'm nervous about being able to stay awake...I think if I'm busier I will have a better chance of staying awake. The assisted living place said that if my job duties are complete that I could study during my shift -- which is also a sweet idea. Anyway...I guess at this point, I'm trying to get a handle on pay. In the same commmunity, would a hospital or an assisted living home pay more, on average? Thanks in advance.

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.

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.

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