Have you ever worked in a nursing home?

Question

Any advice for a CNA who is about to?

Do you have any stories or experiences to share? (Good or bad).

Thanks!

Answer 1

I was a C.N.A for 10 yrs. The first bit of advise I can give you is that you have to really care about people to be a C.N.A. Many of the residents at the nursing homes have no family or just don't see their family ( so sad ) and you are truly all the family they have.. Also be kind with the residents a lot of them are scared and just want things like they were when they were at home and lets be honest that is their home now.. Be willing to work hard being a C.N.A is hard work but rewarding. Always listen the the family members of the residents even if you don't agree with them just listen to them it sure does make you job a little easier. Also treat all residents the way you would want to be treated.. Think if it like this if one of your very close family members were in a nursing home how would you want them to be treated and what kind of care would you want them to get?? Last but not least Report any abuse you see no matter how small, The residents do not pay such high price to live there just to be mistreated they were once hard working people just like us and deserve to be treated well.. Good luck you have picked a very good field to be in and a rewarding one at that...

Answer 2

I wasn't a CNA, but I worked with the CNA's a lot and I've worked in 3 nursing homes. My first advise is to have compassion, for your patients and their families. When you start to lose that compassion, get out. I've seen so many CNA's and nurses who lost that compassion and were so indifferent and sometimes even cruel to the nursing home residents. And CNA's tend to form little cliques and make it hard for new girls to fit in. Just ignore them and keep your head up and do your job, eventually you'll fit in. It helps to have a good sense of humor too, both when dealing with other staff and the residents. Good Luck, this work can be very stressful and taxing, but also very fulfilling. I've known some CNA's that I have the ultimate respect for.
P.S.- I have some stories, but they are too many to tell, you'll have plenty of your own stories soon enough, some good, some bad, some heart-breaking.

Answer 3

I have worked in 2 differnt nursing homes. And I have way too many good and bad stories to share, but not enough time. My advice to you is to remember to WASH YOUR HANDS before and after every skill you perform. Als remember the most common bacteria that is spread in a nursing home or assisted living facility is the UTI> It can be transferred from one patient to another by simply forgetting to wash your hands. ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES....ALWAYS treat your patients the way you want to be treated when you get that age. Sometimes all they want is for someone to sit and listen to them talk. Everyone needs someone to love them and way too often an elderly person gets placed in a nursing home and it seems that thier family just forgets about them. The greatest thing you can do is be their friend.

Answer 4

I needed to paintings in a nursing house as side of my coaching to be a CNA. I need to say that even though I completely experience serving to persons who're ill and challenged it was once essentially the most miserable position I have ever labored in. The greatest crisis for within the position I interned in was once the perspective of the caregivers who knew you have been looking them to look how matters have been performed. Although a few have been fine there have been others who have been impolite and difficult to the elders. To at the present time I have certainly not entered a nursing house to paintings in. I am considering perhaps simply going to mention hello to those who do not get viewers.

Answer 5

I am a cna nursing homes are very hard depending on which shift your wrking the 7-3 is fast pace 3-11 is nice just the hrs I cant do and 11-7 its hard to stay up kinda boring...either you like it or you dont...Im wrking at a hospital now much easyer..lol...good luck

Answer 6

You will be overworked and underpaid. Nursing homes are notorious for being short staffed. Nursing home patients are often in a facility that does not offer the care that they really need so you will be doing things out of your realm of education, they will often be nasty to deal with and when you are done with them you can deal with nasty families. Many are totally ignored and neglected by family and have little if anything of their own. The smell and depression will not doubt overwhelm you at first and frustrate you after awhile. But hey, whatever.

Answer 7

The first thing to loving your job, dont get caught in the drama. Working in healthcare is like being on the set of General Hospital. Second be there for the people you help. You will be fine.

Answer 8

when i was in middle school i volunteered at a nursing home with bingo on the weekends. then the summer before i started college i worked at an assisted living facility serving meals.

Answer 9

I volunteered in one -I did pet therapy. It was great - I recommend the medium to large dogs because it was easier for the wheelchair patients to pet them. Anything to keep them engaged and talking is good and can be very interesting.
Anyhow good luck - the patients are usually very nice.

Answer 10

I took care of an old lady and it isn't easy at all, but if you keep in mind that eventually someday we might need care, then it makes much more sense to be nice, patient and compationed.