The role of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is an integral part of the healthcare system. CNAs provide direct patient care in hospitals and nursing homes, helping to ensure the health and wellbeing of the elderly, disabled, and those with chronic illnesses. When considering a career as a CNA, it is important to understand the differences between a CNA in a hospital setting versus a nursing home. This post will compare the duties, roles, and responsibilities of a CNA in a hospital versus a nursing home, and examine the differences in the type of care each facility requires of its CNAs. We will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each job, and discuss the skills and qualifications necessary to become a successful CNA.
What does a CNA in a nursing home do?
The following are the duties of a CNA who works in a nursing home:
What does a CNA in a hospital do?
A CNA in a hospital performs the following duties:
CNA in a hospital vs. a nursing home
The CNA job requirements in a hospital and in a nursing home are contrasted below:
Patients
The patient base at each of the CNA job locations is one notable distinction. In a long-term care facility, CNAs typically provide care for the same group of patients over time. In contrast, CNAs who work in hospitals typically see a wider range of patients as part of their duties.
In addition, CNAs in hospitals typically look after patients of all ages, whereas CNAs in nursing homes primarily look after seniors.
Salary
Job functions
Although CNAs work in both hospitals and nursing homes, there are some significant differences between the two types of facilities. Nursing home patients reside there, whereas hospital patients are only temporary wards, so CNAs in nursing homes typically spend more time with their patients. For this reason, CNAs who prefer to build relationships with their patients might prefer to work in a nursing home.
Scheduling
Work schedules for CNAs differ between environments such as hospitals and nursing homes. In hospitals, CNAs typically work 12-hour shifts, frequently at night, with potential weekend and holiday work schedules. A CNA in a nursing home works eight-hour shifts, and similar to CNAs in hospitals, their jobs may require them to work weekends and holidays.
Work environment
Hospitals and nursing homes offer different working conditions for CNAs. A hospital can be busy and give CNAs the chance to help with emergency care tasks like performing CPR. CNAs work in a setting with a slower pace in nursing homes where the emphasis is on assisting patients with daily tasks.
Opportunities to learn
CNAs working in nursing homes may face less variety in their work situations than CNAs working in hospitals. As a result, CNAs employed in hospitals may have more opportunities to learn about various medical conditions and patient treatments.
Ability to specialize
The capacity to specialize in providing care for a particular patient type is another way that CNA positions in hospitals and nursing homes differ from one another. While CNAs in hospitals can work on a specific floor, allowing them to specialize in caring for patients with a particular set of needs, CNAs in nursing homes tend to older patients. Specialization for CNAs may require additional education, training and certification. Here are a few instances of hospital CNA specialties:
Job requirements
CNA job requirements for nursing home positions can differ from those for positions in hospitals. The majority of CNA positions in nursing homes are entry-level positions that can help you develop your nursing assistant skills. Hospital hiring managers favor CNA candidates with professional experience. Working in nursing homes is a typical career path for CNAs until they gain the necessary experience to advance to a CNA position in a hospital.
Professional relationships
When working in a hospital, CNAs may interact with different medical staff members than when working in a nursing home. CNAs may work alongside nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, and medical students in a hospital. In addition to working with medical professionals, CNAs in nursing homes may also establish professional connections with activity coordinators and social workers.
NURSING HOME CNA VS. HOSPITAL CNA
FAQ
Is it better to work in a hospital or nursing home?
Depending on the Nursing Assistant’s individual objectives and preferences, choosing between working in a hospital or a nursing home A quick pace, extended shifts, and a variety of clinical experiences are all available in hospitals. In a nursing home, the nursing assistant can forge close bonds with the elderly population.
What it’s like being a CNA at a hospital?
A CNA may work under a different title in a hospital, such as technician. Among the responsibilities are taking vital signs, maintaining catheters, transporting patients, keeping them clean, and spending time with them. The CNA may accompany families or assist with patient discharge in a large hospital.
Where is the best place for a CNA to work?
- Home Health Aide Agency. Traveling to the patient’s home is necessary for this job in order to help the patient with mobility and with personal care tasks that they are unable to complete on their own.
- Nursing Home. Around 42 percent of CNAs work in nursing homes.
- Hospitals.
What position is higher than a CNA?
You can advance as a CNA to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). Both are excellent choices, as these careers are estimated to grow by 12%, or 88,900 jobs, over the next five to seven years
