Community Chat

[Bandwife23]

Hello everyone. I've never posted in this particular section but figured it was the best place. My hubby & I relocated a year or so ago and i've been looking for work. I'm not gonna complain and bellyache because I know there's thousands of people that are in the boat with me. I'm used to working and I'm beyond frustrated. I left a pretty decent job to move. I hated doing that, but after I found out my hubby was getting transferred to another location, the distance was simply too far for me to drive(3 hrs both ways) everyday. We unfortunately don't live in a bigger city, so there's no transit system that I could have taken advantage of to get me to and from work.

A few days ago, I saw a listing for Patient Aides & CNAs in my area. Its at a psychiatric hosptial and they are hiring for about 20 positions. I've asked a couple people who are CNAs and I've gotten very different opinions. Some were good & some were making me wonder why this person was even doing it(bc she was negative about every aspect). One girl works 2nds and feels like she never has a life bc of it. The other girl I spoke with works 3rds and says although it took her a while to get used to it, she likes the fact that she can still do things w/her family(especially holidays) during the day & early evening. I know its not a glamorous, high profile job, but I would think it could be rewarding. So if anyone on here does that for a living, could you please tell me what you like/don't like about it and how you handle family life?

[CouponQueen]

Two different ducks here for sure..CNA and then Psych Hospital.

I have worked in the mental health field for over 27-years..my first 7 direct care..on the Units you are talking about.

If you are scared easily it is not for you. It can be a very rewarding job at times but also a very dangerous and scarey job at times. Voices, people responding and talking to the wall..imaginary people etc..threats etc..you will get used to it...it can be scarey and usually the atmosphere and environment isn't your posh country club..

CNA's you know the job they do..routine phyiscal care of the patient..can be bed making, assisting with ADLs (activities of daily living) showering - eating - brushing teeth, combing hair, monitoring meds, changing diapers, bedding, feces and urine....each place is different and state with their requirements..but usually standard CPR and First Aid are required and they usually give you this during your training..and I know where I work you need to also know how to do take downs legally without harm to yourself or others.

Documentation and paperwork is a requirement as well as knowing medications, side effects etc..and doing temps, b/p etc. Like I said in some states it is different and only RN's do some of this.

That is the reg routine care - but then couple that with psychiatric patients and it is a tough field..

you will probably get an off shift..but you don't say anything about kids....would the shift matter? Weekend and holiday work is also required. Remember these people are mentally ill 24/7..365..some very acutely.

The only way you can really know is apply and see first hand what it is..there is no other way. I can explain a million things to you but it may just be different..

You have nothing to lose by applying and finding out..especially if you are without a job now.

LIke I said..two different animals in one..

Usually the pay is pretty satisfactory and also the benefits..

After 7 years of direct care I moved onto administrative inpatient and outpatient but still a lot of patient contact but not doing the care of the aids..making sure they are legally remainded ..making sure they do what they are supposed to on the outside..sitting in court for hours as they are not usually their on their own free will..medication against their will..I write and document the application for court for the MD..and go. I review all the intakes and meet with them that is when I am in the Unit..doing Triage. All in a Social Work role with a bit of legal thrown in..

All hands on..you sound interested..so don't let it scare you away!

[just bee]

When my mother was in the hospital a few years ago I asked a tech if she liked what she was doing. She said her dream was to major in English and teach in Japan. She hated her life.

I laughed because I could have lived her dream after college and here I was more than 20 years later thinking I'd like to try her job. I ended up going back to school and getting certified as a HUC (Health Unit Coordinator/Clerk/Unit Secretary) and getting an entry level job in a hospital just to see if I would like the environment.

I ended up getting hired on an infant unit. From there I worked to become a tech (got certified as a CNA) and started nursing school. I graduated last year, passed the NCLEX last summer with the minimum 75 questions, and got hired after my first interview. At 54 I'm a "new" psychiatric nurse.

A tech job is one of the hardest things you'll ever do and the pay is... well, it's practically volunteer work. But I knew I had to do it while I was going through nursing school so I became frugal. It was excellent experience. And it was a foot in the door, so to speak.

Each unit is unique. I work with "mental health techs" now and their job is very different from what I did on an infant unit.

If the environment interests you, then you should try it. You'll learn something new every day. Depending on the unit, you'll never be bored. You might go home in a paper bag at the end of the day (I recommend Alegria shoes), but you'll have lots of opportunities to see and hear things most people don't get to experience.

As a nurse, I respect the techs I work with and treat them as equals. Both jobs work when they work together. I knew many nurses who treated the techs like personal assistants or slaves. That was the downside.

Have you thought about where you'd like to work?

I can't tell you much about family life because when I was working as a tech and going to nursing school, that WAS my life. Zero days off. When I wasn't at work I was in class or at another hospital in clinicals.

What I didn't like about the whole experience is that I met some people who shouldn't be working with other human beings. A friend and I were doing our clinicals for our CNA certification and we were at a nursing home where we witnessed some horrible things. I call them atrocities. She wanted to report the place to the state and I said I'd support her and document as many incidents as I could for her.

But there are horrid people everywhere, I guess. Just don't be one of them.

[just bee]

You mention schedules. That's a very important piece of the puzzle. Days or nights? Eight or twelve hour shifts?

I work twelve (actually it's 12.5) hour shifts, but I work both days and nights. This is tricky. Don't count on having holidays with your family. Hospitals are open 24/7.

I prefer 36 hours per week to 32 or 40. Some like a clinic environment -- five 8-hour days. Some can work four 10-hour days.

Many inpatient psych units are 32 hours. I work in a different area, but there is usually OT available because turnover is high.

The previous post points to an important fact: It can be scary and dangerous. But it can be exciting.

The one thing I appreciate most? Working in a hospital and seeing the things I see make me appreciate and feel grateful for my life. If you think your life is the pits, wait until you see what others are dealing with. Changes your perspective.

[151949]

OP - you don't say in your original post if you are CERTIFIED as a CNA as that certification is what thew C in CNA stands for.

[Bandwife23]

CouponQueen - Thank you so much for your reply! You are just the type of person I wanted to talk to...someone who is in the trenches day in/day out. I say this because although I appreciated the info I got from the people I talked to, I know them. Its nice to get opinions from a "stranger" so to speak. I want to get all the info I can. Another girl I spoke with was positive about most of it, but she was truthful. She used to actually work at this hospital, but left years ago bc she got tired of working holidays and weekends. She said when it came to holidays out there, you worked either the "eve" or the actual day(christmas, thanksgiving, new yrs eve or the actual day) but not both. She said the pay was good for holidays and weekends, but her husband ended up taking a job out of town and it became hard for her to work a like that bc they had small kids @ home. She started on 3-11 shift but when she quit, she was working 7-3.

A good friend of mine is a CNA @ a VA hospital and she works 3rds. She really likes it. She's the one I mentioned in my initial post. She said at first, she didn't want 3rd shift bc she'd always heard horror stories from people who work thirds. But after she sat and thought about it, she can't imagine doing 1st or 2nds. When she gets home, the house is quiet(which allows her to sleep) and she can still be there when her son gets home from school and hubby gets in from work. She likes that she can have dinner w/them and also if its a school break or weekend, she can still do things w/them during the day. She said she'd feel like she'd never see them if she worked 2nds and she'd miss holidays working 1st shift bc the day would be 1/2 over by the time she got home. She said its just weird at first getting your body used to going to bed in the morning or early afternoon bc most people are awake during those times.

Oh, in answer to your question...its just me & hubby. No kids yet. We've been talking about the position for the last couple of days bc as I said, I'm frustrated beyond words trying to find a job. Its a state job and if I were to get a position out there, my State retirement would start back up(the job I left when we moved was a state job). I will be honest and say it would be culture shock to go from an office position where I was off every holiday and every weekend to this situation. And...although we don't have kids, I AM an only child and my elderly parents live out of town. I would think in a position like this, 3rd shift would probably be the best fit bc I could still go home & spend some of the holiday w/them even if I had to work that night(third shift here is 11-7).

You are right...those are two different ducks! I don't think that atmosphere would scare me, and yes, I am well aware of what the CNAs do for the most part. That's why I said I knew it wasn't glamorous. Honestly I never thought i'd be interested in a job like this(not saying i'm too good for it..its just that i never imagined doing it). I've been a bit surprised @ some of the comments I've had from people i've talked to here in town. One woman I know looked @ me and said, "OMG...I know you are looking for a job, but there is no way I'd do something like that ever again...wiping butts for a living for $8.00/hr(1st shift) and you don't even get weekends and holidays off? Well, if you do it, say goodbye to your family and hello to being grouchy and overweight. That's the only things you'll get from a job like that!" I was like . She'd been a CNA for at a nursing home and got out of it. I thought, "wow...I wouldn't want YOU caring for one of my loved ones!"

Again, thanks for your info. You seem to have a really nice position now. I'd love doing something like that but I understand you had to work your way up the ladder.

[Bandwife23]

On 6/3/2014 happy housewife said:

OP - you don't say in your original post if you are CERTIFIED as a CNA as that certification is what thew C in CNA stands for.

happy housewife(by the way, i'm one of those too) - No, I'm not certified. In my original post, I stated the listing in my area is for CNAs and Patient Aides. A friend of mine who used to work at this place years ago, said if you are not a CNA, you start out as an aide and they train you so you can test to become certified.

[Bandwife23]

On 6/3/2014 just bee said:

You mention schedules. That's a very important piece of the puzzle. Days or nights? Eight or twelve hour shifts?

I work twelve (actually it's 12.5) hour shifts, but I work both days and nights. This is tricky. Don't count on having holidays with your family. Hospitals are open 24/7.

I prefer 36 hours per week to 32 or 40. Some like a clinic environment -- five 8-hour days. Some can work four 10-hour days.

Many inpatient psych units are 32 hours. I work in a different area, but there is usually OT available because turnover is high.

The previous post points to an important fact: It can be scary and dangerous. But it can be exciting.

The one thing I appreciate most? Working in a hospital and seeing the things I see make me appreciate and feel grateful for my life. If you think your life is the pits, wait until you see what others are dealing with. Changes your perspective.

Hi justbee..and thanks for your input as well. Wow...reading your story really made me proud...you are 54 and are a "new nurse." Now to me, that says a lot! My hubby is a teacher and he really wonders about some of the kids coming through today. Some just don't seem to want to do anything but stay on their cell phones, and miss classes. Then when this time of year comes around, they darn near beg for any extra credit to do so they graduate(instead of taking care of business through the year). I just don't understand it. Anyway, congrats to you! That's a wonderful accomplishment.

You asked about shifts. Well, at the facility that's hiring, the shifts are listed as follows:

1st - 6:45-3:15

2nd - 2:45-11:15

3rd - 11-7

A friend of mine who used to work out there years ago said she started off working 12.5 hrs...3 days on and 4 off. She said she liked having the 4 days in a row off. But then, she switched to days where she was off ev. other wknd.

[just bee]

On 6/3/2014 Bandwife said:

On 6/3/2014 just bee said:

You mention schedules. That's a very important piece of the puzzle. Days or nights? Eight or twelve hour shifts?

I work twelve (actually it's 12.5) hour shifts, but I work both days and nights. This is tricky. Don't count on having holidays with your family. Hospitals are open 24/7.

I prefer 36 hours per week to 32 or 40. Some like a clinic environment -- five 8-hour days. Some can work four 10-hour days.

Many inpatient psych units are 32 hours. I work in a different area, but there is usually OT available because turnover is high.

The previous post points to an important fact: It can be scary and dangerous. But it can be exciting.

The one thing I appreciate most? Working in a hospital and seeing the things I see make me appreciate and feel grateful for my life. If you think your life is the pits, wait until you see what others are dealing with. Changes your perspective.

Hi justbee..and thanks for your input as well. Wow...reading your story really made me proud...you are 54 and are a "new nurse." Now to me, that says a lot! My hubby is a teacher and he really wonders about some of the kids coming through today. Some just don't seem to want to do anything but stay on their cell phones, and miss classes. Then when this time of year comes around, they darn near beg for any extra credit to do so they graduate(instead of taking care of business through the year). I just don't understand it. Anyway, congrats to you! That's a wonderful accomplishment.

You asked about shifts. Well, at the facility that's hiring, the shifts are listed as follows:

1st - 6:45-3:15

2nd - 2:45-11:15

3rd - 11-7

A friend of mine who used to work out there years ago said she started off working 12.5 hrs...3 days on and 4 off. She said she liked having the 4 days in a row off. But then, she switched to days where she was off ev. other wknd.

I feel your husband's pain. I went to a university at age 17 and went through a 5-year program: Two majors, one minor, and a teaching credential. After my year of student teaching I decided I wouldn't be a teacher in the public schools. I don't get the whole cell phone thing. Better-half and I just went to a Morrissey concert and I swear we were the only people there without phones. Why look at Morrissey through your phone and text people ("Hey! This is a selfie at the Morrissey concert -- wheeeeee!!!") when you could be looking at Morrissey -- in the flesh, full-size, only a few feet in front of you?

Must be I'm old.

Yikes! Some wacky shifts there! Is there a night shift differential? Mornings would be good -- you can get out early, run errands, and be home for dinner and a movie.

How do you feel about sleeping during the day when the rest of the world is awake and trying to make sure you are, too?

[Bandwife23]

On 6/3/2014 just bee said:

On 6/3/2014 Bandwife said:

On 6/3/2014 just bee said:

You mention schedules. That's a very important piece of the puzzle. Days or nights? Eight or twelve hour shifts?

I work twelve (actually it's 12.5) hour shifts, but I work both days and nights. This is tricky. Don't count on having holidays with your family. Hospitals are open 24/7.

I prefer 36 hours per week to 32 or 40. Some like a clinic environment -- five 8-hour days. Some can work four 10-hour days.

Many inpatient psych units are 32 hours. I work in a different area, but there is usually OT available because turnover is high.

The previous post points to an important fact: It can be scary and dangerous. But it can be exciting.

The one thing I appreciate most? Working in a hospital and seeing the things I see make me appreciate and feel grateful for my life. If you think your life is the pits, wait until you see what others are dealing with. Changes your perspective.

Hi justbee..and thanks for your input as well. Wow...reading your story really made me proud...you are 54 and are a "new nurse." Now to me, that says a lot! My hubby is a teacher and he really wonders about some of the kids coming through today. Some just don't seem to want to do anything but stay on their cell phones, and miss classes. Then when this time of year comes around, they darn near beg for any extra credit to do so they graduate(instead of taking care of business through the year). I just don't understand it. Anyway, congrats to you! That's a wonderful accomplishment.

You asked about shifts. Well, at the facility that's hiring, the shifts are listed as follows:

1st - 6:45-3:15

2nd - 2:45-11:15

3rd - 11-7

A friend of mine who used to work out there years ago said she started off working 12.5 hrs...3 days on and 4 off. She said she liked having the 4 days in a row off. But then, she switched to days where she was off ev. other wknd.

I feel your husband's pain. I went to a university at age 17 and went through a 5-year program: Two majors, one minor, and a teaching credential. After my year of student teaching I decided I wouldn't be a teacher in the public schools. I don't get the whole cell phone thing. Better-half and I just went to a Morrissey concert and I swear we were the only people there without phones. Why look at Morrissey through your phone and text people ("Hey! This is a selfie at the Morrissey concert -- wheeeeee!!!") when you could be looking at Morrissey -- in the flesh, full-size, only a few feet in front of you?

Must be I'm old.

Yikes! Some wacky shifts there! Is there a night shift differential? Mornings would be good -- you can get out early, run errands, and be home for dinner and a movie.

How do you feel about sleeping during the day when the rest of the world is awake and trying to make sure you are, too?

Justbee:

Cell phones - Yes, I don't understand why they let the kids have 'em on during school hours but I guess there's no way to really control that other than banning them altogether. I just know I wouldn't want to have to explain to my parents that I failed a class bc I chose to be goofing around in the hallway on my cell instead of in class. I don't even want to THINK about what my parents would have done to me!

The job openings are 37.5 hrs a week. Yes, 1st shift would be ideal for me and hubby...however, to make it more workable for all who are involved(meaning hubby and elderly parents), 3rd would probably be a better fit. Getting off @ 3:15 would be great(bc i'm used to working day shift). But, holidays would be null and void as far as spending it w/my parents. They live out of town and i'm an "only." So that wouldn't be good. I'm not trying to sound childish, but they are in their 80's and I want to have as much time w/them as I can. I'm sure I'd have to catch a nap while I was there w/them, but at least I'd get to spend the holiday w/them & have time to get back here to go in @ 11p.m. School is out soon and if I were to get one of those 3rd shift positions at least I'd be here w/hubby all day and we'd be able to go do things. He & I will continue to talk about it. The openings close at the end of the month.