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Discussion

Working with agencies

Newbie here! I'm a relatively new LNA in the Northeast US. At nearly 40 years old, I decided to leave my field of Computer Network Support to become an aide. As a result, I'm now applying to nursing schools in the area. I am working in a LTC facility part-time. So far, the job has afforded me some great experience. More than half of residents are totally dependent, two-person xfers. A small portion of pts are rehabilitation. The nurses I work with are amazingly helpful and give me every opportunity to observe the details that I will encounter in nursing clinical. Overall, a crash course in nurse-assisting.

However, being a LTC facility, pay is on the lowest end of the scale for my area. I have noticed there is high turnover and staffing, for the most part, is always in short supply. I have been looking at the possibility of working for an agency. The general consensus seems to be that agency work pays well compared to LTC. Being part-time, I do not rely on benefits through my employer.

The upsides to my current job happen to be proximity and flexibility; scheduling is done several weeks in advance and they have always been accommodating in that respect. While I don't want to stagnate and become too comfortable there, I want to make sure agency work will offer me some advantages pertaining to varied experiences and pay.

Any input that can be offered is appreciated!

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    What kind of agency are you talking about, Are you talking about a Home care agency? I work for Home care and our schedules are very flexable but for the area that I work Home Care pays ok, but it can pay less then LTC around by me. But here is how to look at it. Lets say I make $10hr. I am making that $10 by taking care of one person. Then there is a LTC that is paying $12 an hour. But that person is probably doing more work, and they have around 12 residents to take care of. so they are mainly making only $1 a person per hour. I gladly take the less of the pay, and I can make that $12 an hour it will just take me longer to get it.

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    you have it made

    helpful coworkers, accommodating employer - you can't put a price on that

    stay, at least for now

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    I'm referring to a staffing agency that places me in different facilities per Diem based on my availability. The pay is a few more dollars hourly than the LTC facilities in the area. When a LTC that contracts w the agency has a call-out, they call the agency and has them send an LNA to cover for the day. After speaking with someone at the agency, it looks as though I can start out being available a couple of days per week and work upwards from there if its something that works out well.

    I suppose the major challenge would be working in a facility that's unfamiliar to me with all new residents. But that can be a great boon to experience also. Although its very nice being familiar with all of the pts on the unit I'm working in, the new varied experiences will be helpful also.

    How quickly we become comfortable where we are!

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