turning 40 and making a career change, need advise....

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i'm new to this message board so a little about myself. i have been a nanny in private homes for 23 years. i have 6 pet therapy dogs and volunteer with a hospice group and visit patients in skilled nursing facilities. i'm turning 40 in november and i'm ready for a change in life. i love volunteering and love my hospice patients. i decided i wanted to go from babies to working with the elderly. these are my options, i can go to school and get my STNA and work in all kinds of settings or not go to school and do private home care such as comfort keepers. i'm very tender hearted and give 110% to my job and not sure if i would like a facility setting. i only want to work PT so i can still volunteer and i don't want to work weekends as that is the only time i see my husband.

i would love input from anyone who has worked in private homes, assisted living homes/facilities, and skilled nursing facilities. what are the pro's and con's of each.

i don't know if i should go to school and get the certification or get a job that does not require it and see how i like it before i drop $700. i know i love volunteering for hospice but that is different then actually working with the patient. i'm so torn with what to do.

thank you for the advise and input, i appreciate it.....

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Hello,

your post does pose a dilemma. I worked in all sorts of settings.... personal care/ skilled nursing/ hospital/ and home care. i worked as a care giver for a while then got my CNA so i'll give you some pros and cons that i experienced:

Skilled/long term care/facility:

Pros:

pay is ok

usually some sort of set hours/weekends

VERY easy to get attached, you'll meet lots of people who don't have alot of visitors

when you meet the people as mentioned above ... you really can mean THE WORLD TO THEM

cons:

hard work

short staffing isn't uncommon

daylight has less patients but alot to do in a short peroid, 3-11 very busy all at one since resident's often like the same "bedtime"

midnight you won't really get to know to many residents in the way i think you would like

politics...... are awful

It really depends on what you are looking for! Good luck :)

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thanks for your input, the politic's are what get me, i don't like drama. thanks again for your input...

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