Where should I work?

[Buddy626]

I recently got my CNA license and I have had several interviews with assisted living facilities and long term care facilities. No luck yet. I want to become an RN and I was told that becoming a CNA is the best place to start. Should I be trying to work for a hospital rather than a nursing home?

[1uvakindmom]

It all depends on what you want to do. I know most hospitals around here (MASS) want some LTC experience before they will hire you, but that isnt true everywhere. There's also home health you could go into, which isnt as stressful as LTC. I also do private care for a woman, and it's much more laid back than my job in LTC. Personally, LTC isnt for me, or at least in the nursing home I work in presently. I have never worked in another to compair it to, but I just find the job overwhelming and stressful. I care for my residents totally, but there are 11 that I have to care for everyday, and it's taking a toll on me. I have a LOT of respect for the ppl who do this work for years!!! HTH!!! and good luck!

~Missy

[rancelumsden]

I would take a look at this active thread (it talks about differences in LTC and hospital):

How differet working at Hostpial or Nursing Home as CNA??

Having worked at both, the hospital will give you far more 'technical' experience. You'll learn a lot about meds, machinery, procedures, various disease states, tests, vitals, etc. And, I think more importantly, you actually work with the nurses. In LTC, I hardly saw the nurses. In hospital, we would be assigned multiple nurses in a shift.

First thing is to get your foot in the door and get some experience.