What is involved in working at assisted living facilities?

Question

I just got my CNA license and I don't know where i want to work yet. (hospital, nursing home, assisted living) I'm just curious what the job entails at a assisted living facility? And What the starting pay is?

Answer 1

Hi!  Congratulations on getting your CNA!  That's an accomplishment!

Your pay probably depends on experience, and certainly depends on what area of the country you live in. In our area -- Chicago suburbs --  the average a CNA makes is $11- $16 an hour.  I used CareerBuilder.com to research this.  You enter your own zipcode, and it spits out averages.  Other areas of the country, especially the South and rural areas, likely pay much less than this.

At an assisted living facility, the residents are rated according to level of care they need.  Some are still pretty "with it" and need very minimal care, such as only a wake-up call, transfers, bedmaking, or stand-by assist with bath/ shower.  However, many people could still be a High Fall risk, even if their mind is good, because their balance is not so good anymore.  

Others need MUCH more help, even to incontinence care.  Especially in the "Memory" or "Reminisce" units, for people with Alzheimers or dementia, the residents might need a good bit of personal care -- feeding, dressing, and toileting.

Many CNAs like working in Assisted Living facilities because often  the residents are not as debilitated physically and mentally as those in nursing homes.  Often they become very close to their clients -- like family-- and they relate on a very personal level.  

(TIP:  An important tip for every CNA to remember is that most older folk do NOT like being called "honey" or "dearie" or being talked down to like a child.  Speaking in a respectful way is always the best policy.  It does not mean you have to be formal -- just don't belittle their intelligence just because they might have some memory or physical problems.)

Many hospitals will not hire an inexperienced CNA, because the fast pace of a hospital is not the place to perfect your skills.   So, many CNAs  get nursing home experience first, and then they see if a hospital will hire them.  Also, some hospitals use fewer un-licensed staff these days than they used to, preferring to try to keep to all RN/LPN staff.  However, other hospitals have such a shortage of staff that they are willing to hire even inexperienced workers.  

You would probably want to make sure ANY facility you hire into has a good orientation program -- don't hesitate to ask questions about how long theirs is, and what is covered, and who you can ask when you have problems or questions.  

There is no doubt that the CNA is an important member of the health care team.  Often, it is the experienced CNA who recognizes that skin is starting to break down, or that "something is just not quite right with" Mrs. "X", and asks the RN or LPN  to look in on the resident or patient.   The wise RN and LPN will listen to the reports of the CNA.

i hope this helps!  good luck on your career! And remember, some facilities will help pay for further schooling after you have worked with them a while.  Keep this in mind if you decide to go on to your LPN or RN.

kathy, MSN,  RN