striking a deal with employers?

Nurses General Nursing

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Is it possible? I've been a self-employed massage therapist for 6 years and I'm currently going for my AN.

I've just completed a CNA course. I sent out 10 resumes, offering to work as a massage therpaist/CNA for just CNA pay in exchange for good health insurnace for myself and my family. Is it possible the medical system doesn't work "outside the box"? You would think most nursing homes or assisted living facilities would scoop up a massage therpist for CNA wages in a heartbeat! Maybe I'd have better luck putting an ad out there as a private duty massage therapist CNA..in hopes of scraping up enough money to pay for health insurance on my own??

Can anyone think of a better way to market myself, or how else I may approach people with my unique qualifications? Or is my massage experience not a valuable asset?

Thanks in advance for any responses!

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Specializes in medicine and psychiatry.

I believe you are correct about the box thing. Some hospitals have massage therapists available to the public but it is outpatient. I think you would have better luck applying for a straight CNA position. They are in high demand in most areas.

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I don't think that many nursing homes really employ massage threapists. The homes I have been in staff the min or barely above for CNAs, I think they would invest in another CNA to meet the basic patient needs before they would invest in a Massage person to give back rubs. (yes, you do more, but people's need to be fed and toileted trumps massages.)

You would be better off working as a CNA, especially if you want to continue your nursing career. Try applying for a CNA position, and place your experience as a massage therapist as that, experience that you come with, but not what they are hiring you for.

Good Luck,

~BlueBug

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I think you are both right. I should only apply for a plain old CNA job. But it is a darn shame that the elderly can only recieve butt wiping and spoon feedings. It is a sad reality for sure. This is exactly why many people would rather die than go into a nursing home. Perhaps if we pay more attention to bag rubs and such, growing old and living in nursing homes wouldn't be such a repulsive idea. It's repulsive because I am learning that the elderly are "bodies" and nothing more. Keep 'em clean and fed. What kind of life is that? It is the most depressing situation I can think of. Some people live YEARS like this. It doesn't have to be so hellish. Back rubs, meaningful interaction....even if it appears ONE SIDED, I believe it makes their lives more bearable. There has to be a way to change things....

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Specializes in medicine and psychiatry.

Don't forget turned and hydrated. The staff if having a difficullt time with these two important needs.

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It isn't that the elderly are just bodies that need to be wiped and fed and are denied interaction, you have to get the interaction in when you can. While the services you offer are great, the others are vital.

Also, you are used to seeing communication through your filter as a massage therapist, but you can fit in meaningful interaction as a CNA, you just gotta work at it.

If you want to get extra points to put on your application to nursing schools, work as a CNA, and volunteer 1-2 times a month to go in and give

the residents a massage.

~BlueBug

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It isn't that the elderly are just bodies that need to be wiped and fed and are denied interaction, you have to get the interaction in when you can. While the services you offer are great, the others are vital.

Also, you are used to seeing communication through your filter as a massage therapist, but you can fit in meaningful interaction as a CNA, you just gotta work at it.

If you want to get extra points to put on your application to nursing schools, work as a CNA, and volunteer 1-2 times a month to go in and give

the residents a massage.

~BlueBug

Great Advice
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Great Advice

:yeah: Bluebug, Thank you for your thoughtful advice. That is what I needed to hear I think. It is far too easy to only see the negative. Of course you are right...we can fit in the interactions the best we can. I know that many CNAs do that. It's the ones who couldn't care less that make me shudder. The CNAs that make the extra effort to interact and CARE are the ones that I should look to as my role models. Thank You.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

What about inpatient Hospice? The two local to me have massage therapists part time. I would think being a CNA and a massage therapist would be a plus for them.

But not everyone is cut out for Hospice. Just a thought.

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