Where do (did) you like working the most as a CNA?

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Feb 26, 2010

I worked as a private caregiver and now I'm a nursing home CNA.

The private caregiver job was easy but it could be boring. I sat around a lot watching TV and filling my face because the lady napped a lot and there was nothing to do while she was sleeping. It was very low-stress though, and I had plenty of time for reading and homework. The hours were insane. I practically lived there.

I like the nursing home better. It's pretty stressful and it's hard on your back and you can't take really good care of anyone because there's too much going on. Plus you get the usual drama that comes with working with more than just... yourself. I do like that I get exercise. I know that working doesn't actually "count" but I think it's still better than sitting in a chair all day. I like that you stay really busy and it's never boring. And a lot of the residents are awesome. The day flies by and when I leave I know I did my best.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2010

I started out in assisted living & now I'm working in LTC too. It really depends on the assisted living facility you work in, because the residents in mine...well in my opinion they don't meet the criteria. We have a lot of residents who are total care(well..they can breathe for themselves but that's it) & its back breaking trying to lift some of the ones who are dead weight. At least at the nursing home (some not all) you have a hoyer lift. I like working in a nursing home a bit better because you don't have to worry about doing extra work like the residents laundry & washing their dishes. But the downside is that the nursing home I picked is sort of on the lower end of quality. I feel like I do get to know my residents better in assisted living, but in a nursing home I feel as though I get to learn more & use all of the skills I learned in my CNA class. Sorry I don't think this really helps! But I guess to me, I feel they both have their pros and cons.

juliaann · Feb 26, 2010

I've only worked in a hospital, although I did clinicals at a nursing home. I don't think a nursing home would be a good fit for me. In the hospital, my favorite department by far was ICU. Tons of learning opportunities!! Even though I'm not working as a CNA anymore, I still spend most of my "free" time there, chatting with the nurses and watching proceedures.

ctmed · Feb 26, 2010

I enjoyed the stint I did with agency a while back doing adult acute psych. With the exception of the occasional person who would get violent, the work itself was extremely laid back. Even with the violent folks, you would have plenty of notice, and the doctor of the facility was always concerned with staff safety. Everybody watched out for everybody.

I did not have mandatory baths, total cares, or any diapers to deal with. All of the patients were suicidal, trying to get off drugs, or trying to get meds straightened out. Other than that, they were very much 'with it'. Nor did I have to deal with families. Every now and then, all I would have to do is sit and watch to make sure the visitors were not trying to slip contraband to the patient.

eveningsky339, LPN · Feb 26, 2010

I'm in the thick of clinicals right now, and I've done them both at the hospital and two nursing homes. I must say, I preferred the faster-paced hospital environment, plus the work load was much lighter. I also can't stand some of the CNAs in nursing homes; they couldn't care less about the residents, IMO.

I live in a rural area, so the idea of a CNA being in ICU or "acute psych" makes me scratch my head. :idea:

juliaann · Feb 26, 2010

eveningsky339 - how big was the hospital you did clincals at? Do they send their critical patients to a larger hospital? A hospital without an ICU kinda makes me scratch my head, LOL. But then again, I've ever only worked at 1 hospital, in a good-sized city, and have never lived in a rural area, so my experience is limited. But I'm telling you, ICU is where it's at. :)

And I agree that some attitudes towards resident care in nursing homes can be so heartbreaking. Thank God not all the CNAs are like this - I've met some awesome ones!

ctmed · Feb 26, 2010

I live in a rural area, so the idea of a CNA being in ICU or "acute psych" makes me scratch my head.

CNA also qualifies you for MHT. Acute Psych units are in some hospitals in larger cities and as stand-alonefacilities in communities. After all, if someone comes into an ER having tried to kill themselves or ODs, you do not

think they are just going to let them go? At least not in this area. However, it is a field in CNA that is predominately male. They also do not tell you about it in class. I had to find out while working agency.

I have to agree with you about hospitals. You tend to get a bit better treatment (most of the time).

Juulian is correct, too... ICU IS where it is at along with PACU. Pretty laid back areas.

eveningsky339, LPN · Feb 26, 2010

CNA also qualifies you for MHT. Acute Psych units are in some hospitals in larger cities and as stand-alonefacilities in communities. After all, if someone comes into an ER having tried to kill themselves or ODs, you do not
think they are just going to let them go? At least not in this area. However, it is a field in CNA that is predominately male. They also do not tell you about it in class. I had to find out while working agency.

Would I need to take additional classes to become an MHT?

As for suicidals/OD's, our hospital generally keeps them in a set of rooms on the Med/Surg floor, where they are constantly under observation. This may sound odd, but bear in mind our hospital only has one floor. We are quite rural. The patient, when stable, is then referred to outpatient behavioral services.

If the case is too much for our hospital to handle, they are transported by ambulance to a larger city.

There is an agency here in town that provides one-on-one support to mentally disabled and ill clients, but they require additional training for CNA's.

AmyinNC05 · Mar 6, 2010

Assisted living is much easier than CNA b/c many of the residents can bathe, clothe and feed themselves. I much prefer that and home health to Nursing homes.