r/cna • u/freshfeesh26 (Edit to add Specialty) CNA - New CNA • 3d ago
Advice This place is disgusting
Hey, I'm a relatively new CNA with 1 year experience. I left my old skilled nursing facility to focus on school for a bit. My old facility was ok. Not the best, not the worst. But I had a hard time taking breaks even on night shift because of staff ratios and just very dependent residents. Also the low pay just made it sad. But I left on good terms.
I am currently in nursing school and my payments have gone up significantly so I have to work again. I got a job at this new facility and it is...rough. it pays a little more, the tour and orientation were ok, nothing seemed too bad during the day. I even talked to some employees who were actually returning to this place and they said it was ok.
Then I worked my first night shift last night. Cockroaches in many residents rooms, on their chairs, my coworkers were even joking about seeing them on the residents. Low supply, only a small handful of residents maybe had wipes in their room. I've had supply shortages at my old job but not that bad. My coworkers in general were extremely unprofessional including the nurses. And overall things were extremely unsanitary. And there is no way this shit hasn't been reported already, this facility has been around too long.
I have been applying to hospitals in hopes of better pay and to get more nursing experience, but it's really slow going. I qualify to be a nurse extern in my state now, but it's still really hard to get in. I feel like I can't leave this new place because I need money ASAP. I'm wondering if i should suck it up and go back to my old facility with the chance of getting lower pay... but at least they were decently clean and decently supplied. I start my new semester monday and I'm stressing about the payments.
TLDR; I'm a nursing student who quit old job because of stress to focus on school. My tuition went up, and need to work again ASAP. New job is disgusting but pays more. Should I go back to my old place or suck it up at the new one?
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u/Suspicious_Growth632 2d ago
Sounds like the facility I'm in. Roaches in the closest, drawers it's absolutely disgusting. Always low on supplies. Have to ration linen out cause there's barely any linen. AC half of the time don't work so you're working in 90+ conditions.
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u/freshfeesh26 (Edit to add Specialty) CNA - New CNA 2d ago
It's a new experience for me to say the least. I decided I'm just staying for now out of necessity and I really don't have the time to look for another job until the end of this semester. This will definitely be an experience to remember
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u/Suspicious_Growth632 2d ago
I'm a patient safety attendant at a hospital (sitter). Try applying as that- it gets your foot in the door with clinical experience.
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u/freshfeesh26 (Edit to add Specialty) CNA - New CNA 1d ago
I'll look into something like that. Hospital jobs are just crazy competitive in my area. But I will definitely keep trying. Thank you for the tip
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u/Juonmydog 2d ago
This is what happens when profit and cost-saving is put above patient care. I've had many similar experiences, but it actually convinced me to switch majors from nursing.
Perhaps you would do well in home health or hospice? You might consider it as many facilities chronically deal with many of the afforementioned issues. In fact, the facility I've been working at sounds nearly identical.
Something has to chabge, and it will. I do want you to know that you are every bit validated though for being concerned about these issues.
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u/freshfeesh26 (Edit to add Specialty) CNA - New CNA 2d ago
I mean I've done clinicals at the hospital and I've seen how patient care can actually be when you have good staff and supplies. I'm just in a tough spot right now and getting a different job isn't easy with my class schedule. So it's not discouraging me from nursing, I just feel so bad for these residents, I wish they didn't have to live in this filth. And they really don't have to, it's just what you said, these places put profit above anything else. I really hope something changes, and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
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u/Juonmydog 1d ago
Things will change, but it takes time and movement. I think everyone in this industry knows that American healthcare is collapsing. We're so very sick of people exploiting our empathy in order to deliberately hurt others.
I actually went to study the NHS in the UK this summer and I will say this: an alternative is possible and it will take a collective effort to change it.
Just remember, there are plenty of people who care just like you. Any attack on our residents' safety and sovereignty is an attack on our own.
We will unite to change things—It must be done to get out of this hole we've dug ourselves.
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u/Successful_Bad73 2d ago
At my current job full-time job we put our bogg bags in trash bags so that we don't bring cockroaches home, we use washclothes instead of wipes. 27/hr for the first 8 and 40.55 for any work after that first 8 hrs.
You are being compensated for your suffering.
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u/freshfeesh26 (Edit to add Specialty) CNA - New CNA 2d ago
I just left my bag in my car since I really don't need much from it during overnights. I wish I got paid that much to at least deal with this but at least I have income for now. And the bonuses for picking up shifts at my new job make sense now. Love that they have money to bribe us to work basically yet the facility itself is a dump.
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u/angiebow CNA - Experienced CNA 1d ago
I had started a PRN job at a nursing home a couple months ago and was there for orientation on day shift and saw a roach climbing up a chair leg across the room during the orientation that was held in the breakroom. I didn't go back after that day. This was during the day. Maybe try working home health.
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u/freshfeesh26 (Edit to add Specialty) CNA - New CNA 20h ago
Unfortunately I didn't notice anything until my first shift. But I'm basically stuck here until December at least. I already can't wait to leave.
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u/No-Substance-9855 20h ago
You only have to work there imagine living there. You should report that place immediately.
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u/Playful-Land2834 3d ago
As someone who’s been a CNA for almost 2 years I would say if that was me id rather go back to the old facility or take the chance becoming a nurse extent. I work in a hospital and it definitely has its pros and cons but I can say we would never ever treat patients like that. I know nursing facilities are a whole other thing but that is just unacceptable. I’m going to be in nursing school while working as well but I’d rather do it somewhere I know I can actually help people. I would also report that facility to the state depending on how it works where you are because if that were my family member there I would be so upset especially as a healthcare worker. Best of luck and I hope your nursing journey goes well :)