Tips for knowing if that's the place you wanna work

[SlebDeb]

Sorry about the long title. I could think of another way to word it. I was wondering what are some tips you would give someone for looking into a job? I just passed my CNA test 5/9/2016, so I'm still kind of lost. Where would you search to make sure the places you are applying to meet code? What about the higher-ups and staff already present? I know about the smell test, but I'm kind of lost at what to do for everything else. I know the only real way to know if I like working somewhere is to actually work there, but is there a way I could figure out, or at least get an idea, of how it will be?

o.O I hope my questions make sense. I'm in Washington State (Seattle - Olympia). Thanks

[Nursing24/7, LVN]

Well you can ask for a tour of the facility that you are interested in. Pay close attention to how the Nurses & CNA's faces look as they pass by you. Do they look unhappy? Pissed? Neutral? Listen in on conversations as you pass...are the nurses & other staff complaining? Laughing & talking? Seeming to get along? Are a lot of the patients yelling? If you see a call light go off how long does it take someone to respond? When you tour through a common area where patients are(tv room, activity room, dining hall) how do the patients look? Miserable, happy, sad? Content? Look around...is the nurses station clean & clear of clutter? Is there a lot of clutter in hallways or patient rooms? Are the floors clean? Are the trash cans over flowing? Is there a strong odor throughout the facility?

I know there is a site that lists facilities and their yearly health inspection scores. That's what I used to help me figure out which facilities to put at the top of my list. If I remember the link, I'll post it here but it may only be good for Los Angeles area facilities but I'm sure a similar list exists in different states.

But truthfully, I really didn't get to truly see what a facility was like until I worked there, as when you are a new hire everyone is usually on their best behavior for awhile & putting on their best airs, so you don't quit your first week there lol. But after a few weeks you'll start to see the true colors of a facility & its staff.

But it does take time to find what type of facility you fit into & where you like working. During my first few months as a CNA, I worked at a nursing home, sub acute & assisted living but my goal since before I became a CNA, was to work in a hospital, so I worked hard & got into a hospital after only 4 months as a CNA(very rare, most hospitals want you to have1 yr experience).

I hated the nursing home & will never go back to that type of facility. Sub acute wasn't my cup of tea either but I learned the most there & because I worked at that type of facility, that's definitely what got me my hospital job.

Assisted Living, I really enjoyed but my goal was a hospital, so when I was offered a full time position at a hospital, I said good bye to my assisted living job.

If you have any other questions feel free to pm me

[SlebDeb]

Thank you for your tips! I'll try to remember, write them down, and go to some facilities. I'm sacred though because it seems that most facilities here aren't that great. The few that are great want you to have at least 1 year or 2 years sometimes. Though hospitals normally want 6 months here. o.e

Thank you again!