Would you do this for a job..

We have 2 places that I can apply for a STNA job, one is in a town about 30 miles from here, in a hospital making $8.09 an hour with gas prices being $3.99 a gallon, or I can apply at a LTC facility which I REALLLy am not to fond of working in after my clinicals (but I realize ALL places are different sooo maybe this one is better), anyhow, this LTC home is in a different town 20-25 minutes away starting at different wages for different shift, in any case the wage starts at $10.40 an hour and goes up from there depending on shift. I can work 3rd shift (if they are hiring) and make $11.90 an hour, or 2nd shift for $ 11.40 an hour.

Would you go for more money in a place you possibly wouldn't like, or take a lower pay for hospital work (they may not hire newly trained, I don't' know). I think I'm going to apply to both and see what happens, I go back to school in the fall with a full social services work load, 19 credit hours, so I am mostly needing summer work.

What would you do w/ gas prices, I'm thinking maybe LTC for $, it's only a few months right?..

Thanks for replying..

Sorry, I did not mean to click the thanks button. Anywho, in my opinion I would not work at the nursing home just for the money, if I really know I don't want to be there. I would go for the hospital gig. JMO

ETA: I'm not saying I don't like nursing homes. I actually would not mind working there. I'm doing clinicals at a NH now and the residents are so adorable but I do want to work in a hospital so I can get tuition assistance.

You know the best choice for YOU. Get in a quiet place, relax, and just let your answer come.

What we think here are our opinions.... We don't have to live with your decision... You do...

Sometimes things on paper look better than they really are (i.e. higher pay or cheaper commute)... Other times things look worse than they are (i.e. perceived working conditions at a facility)...

Bottom line is you'll make a better decision than we will.... Yes, I know this is a great place to get feedback... My caution is, however, to take all our feedback with a grain of salt. Even mine!

Here's an idea-- Visit both facilities and get your impression of what's going on at each place... Do the people there seem friendly? Are they helpful to you? What do the facilities look like? Are they both well kept? Do they show pride in ownership? Ask a couple of employees there what they like best about each place.... You'll get lots of great info from them.

Sometimes touring a potential job site will give you better information.

Good luck in your choice and search... I'm sure you'll make a great decision. And as always, I could be wrong!.... YMMV

You are so right on the adorable part. When doing clinicals I was in complete charge of 2 residents and one was 97 and totally independent. She pretty much bathed herself, walked to the dining room w/ no help and an absolute delight. The other was paralyzed from a stroke and sweet as sweet can be. I couldn't understand a word she said, but I quickly fell in love w/ her, I caressed her hand and rubbed her head and she smiled so big at me. I really did like these two women, sweet as can be. But, that nursing home was not for me which is why I say I know they are all not the same.

Thanks for your input. I just applied online for the hospital job, they do it all online now.

Have a good weekend.

Yea, don't make decisions based on money. Try the LTC and the hospital. I can tell you now that when I finish my RN I will be all about ICU but as a CNA I would never work in the hospital. Not with all the people in LTC that I would miss. I love my 'adopted grandparents.' Wouldn't trade em for the world or a raise.

I agree that your job choice shouldn't be made solely on money. However, we all have to make ends meet, so you can't lie to yourself and say money doesn't make a difference.

Think about what your end goals are. Are you in nursing school? Will the hospital job prepare you more for being a nurse? If so, that may be enough to sway your decision.

As far as CNA experiences, I think you would get meaningful experiences in either place. You will learn to ambulate, turn, bathe, change linens, etc. in either facility. Believe it or not, these are things you may not get A LOT of chance doing in nursing school, so it is good to learn as a CNA.

You will make the best of either situation. There are things to learn in either, so it just depends on what you want to get out of it.

Good luck in your decision.

I am actually going to work at a LTC facility after being in an ICU for 2 months as a CNA. The CNAs were pretty mean to me and are very backstabbing/gossipy to each other, and I just did not want to be in that environment when I have full time school to worry about. I also basically stocked rooms...I barely got ANY patient care experience at all.

Also, the LTC facility pays $6 more an hour and I can walk there from my house, so I'll be making about $100 more a week :-D

Apply to both and see what comes of it.

I was one of those people that thought I wouldn't like LTC, once I got a job working in LTC I fell in love. I still perfer my job at the hospital, but I miss all of my adopted grandparents.

You are so right on the adorable part. When doing clinicals I was in complete charge of 2 residents and one was 97 and totally independent. She pretty much bathed herself, walked to the dining room w/ no help and an absolute delight. The other was paralyzed from a stroke and sweet as sweet can be. I couldn't understand a word she said, but I quickly fell in love w/ her, I caressed her hand and rubbed her head and she smiled so big at me. I really did like these two women, sweet as can be. But, that nursing home was not for me which is why I say I know they are all not the same.

Thanks for your input. I just applied online for the hospital job, they do it all online now.

Have a good weekend.

I did my first clinical Thursday and I was in charge of feeding a blind resident and a quadraplegic (sp?) The quadraplegic resident said I was going to be a great CNA. My heart melted. The facility was beautiful. I feel in love but as you said all facilities are not the same. As the poster below my first post said, do what YOU need/have to do. I'm sure you'll make an excellent choice;)