nursing assistant

licensed practical nurse

server

nursing supervisor

cook

Masonic Villages

I received my Nurses Aide (NA) training through Masonic Viillages  (MV) in 2018 and worked there for a while after receiving my certification. My review will, therefore, encompass my time in training as well as working as a CNA there. 
There is no doubt that MV is a beautiful place, visually speaking. The CEO and all the presenters during orientation really make you believe you found the one place in the world where employees are valued,  resident are #1 and corporate greed is non existent. My excitement and the excitement of my classmates was through the roof after that orientation. 
Everyone worked hard during those 13 days of studying and training. The requirements were stiff and the assignments were tough, but everyone gave it their best. We had a good mix of people in their teens, twenties, thirties and even forties.  The instructors and trainers were a company in and of themselves and not MV staff at all.  They sure knew their stuff and did a great job teaching. But we did notice them biting their tongue and stopping short whenever we asked them about MV itself, what they thought of the facility, what they have experienced there, etc. Once our 13 days of classes and clinicals were over, we got a few days break before entering the real world of MV. We were supposed to get about 10 days of supervised training  with an experienced CNA on the unit you were being permanently assigned to. They were to instruct you on everything from how to input care notes into each resident's electronic file to how to use the call bell phone system and help you get familiarized with all of the sections within the unit, which ours had 4 or 5. Problem was that our floor was always so severely  understaffed that my CNA trainer couldn't focus on training me.  She had her own section and another section to take care of. On her days off, I ended up getting stuck with another CNA who had not been there long at all and had never trained anyone and was pretty bitter about the whole thing (and rightly so). When my 10 day supervised training period was over, not only was I assiged a section I had never worked in, but I was assigned the heaviest section of all that none of the other  workers wanted.
As I worked, I routinely found myself working through meal and break times and still found myself running behind. I was exhausted by the end of the work day. My fellow unit CNAs were also stressed, angry, depressed, felt like they weren't being heard. Overworked. Made to feel bad if they asked for much needed time off or if they didn't want to keep working extra shifts all the time. I dont ever remember getting any help from the RNs and we definitely could have used the help. Many of my coworkers spoke of just up and quitting the next time they were forced to take on extra sections. 
Some of my  classmates who were minorities complained of being unfairly treated by coworkers as well as staff.  
And the residents? Their frustration and despair was very evident. They were rushed through care or had to wait inordinately long for care, or got care that involved a lot of corner cutting. It wasn't the CNAs fault.  They were good workers. But even good workers in a bad system can't pull off miracles without it affecting quality of care and resident rights.
What about all that "employees are valued here" and "residents are #1 here" talk? Is it just a ploy or is the management so out of touch with what MV has become?  Because people no longer come before profits at MV, in my opinion. Maybe they did at one point. But it's no longer the case.
I eventually chose to end my employment at MV, as did the great majority (95%) of my classmates. I have found a smaller facility with better pay, more convenient hours and a better work pace. Took a while to find but they are still out there.

I worked in the maintenance Dept. as a tech.1 The day started out with a typical meeting but the words where pretty much the same and If you had a question you probably weren't going to get an answerer. the place is huge and they have different lay outs OF DIFFERENT SHELVING LAYOUTS, in different buildings(which is good) but I received paper work of at least 4 different area's and after I did 2 of them I was told they where both wrong,I said that I followed the PINT/DRAWING that I was given and my superintendent (the guy who gave them to me) Looked at them and said they where wrong. I asked him if he ever looked at them before he gave them to me and his reply was no. MY POINT IS WITH THE MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE AND EVERYONE IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE? THERE  NOT. I ASKED 3 DIFFERENT PEOPLE AFTER I WAS TOLD THE SHELVING WAS WRONG (ALL WITH AT LEAST 5 YEARS OR MORE) AND I GOT 3 DIFFERENT ANSERWER'S. I must say it again people where very nice.  again you can talk and say what seems to be right but if they are not right that that affect the worker's. and If you don't know don't say and if your there for ten years and you know and care about the Village you should at least have the correct paper work to hand out and have a plan for different things, it didn't seem that nothing was on file for anything to look at for all the buildings they have. The village is definitely growing but nobody seems to be documenting anything new that is putting up nor do they have any documentation of the builds that are there, I Will elaborate a little on documentation, location of mechanical room's in ALL BUILDING'S/  Main water lines and SHUT OFF VALVES I could go on but I think you get the drift. one more thing that I'm sure upper management is aware of but I have to mention Most of the people that are there have been there for along time and those people had a lot of things that where different with pay and retirement, and getting raise's the pay scale is definitely needs to be looked at for what there is to do and when you are on call  for ONE guy for the weekend! Like I said NICE PEOPLE I JUST THINK ALOT OF THINGS ARE GOING UN NOTICED

What is the best part of working at the company?
Management creates a difficult and often discouraging work environment. Hardworking employees are frequently expected to carry the workload for others without recognition, leading to burnout and low morale.

There is little support from management, and concerns raised by staff are not handled constructively. In some cases, speaking up about legitimate issues seems to result in negative treatment, making it challenging for employees to feel secure in their roles.

While the job itself can be fast-paced and rewarding at times, the lack of respect, support, and fair management practices makes it a challenging place to work.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
This type of management environment is highly stressful because it creates constant pressure without adequate support. When hardworking employees are expected to consistently pick up the slack for others, it leads to physical and mental exhaustion over time. The imbalance in workload makes it difficult to maintain performance without experiencing burnout.

The stress is further increased by the lack of open and safe communication. When employees feel that speaking up about concerns may result in negative consequences, they are forced to remain silent, which builds frustration and anxiety. This creates a workplace atmosphere where individuals feel undervalued, unheard, and replaceable.

Additionally, the absence of recognition or fairness can make even strong performance feel meaningless, lowering morale and motivation. Over time, this combination of overwork, fear of retaliation, and lack of support creates an ongoing sense of instability and emotional strain, making it difficult for employees to feel secure or succeed in their roles.

You have 6 to 7 managers/bosses and all of them have different requirements. You have all your LPN's, an RN, an RN supervisor, CNA educators who are a complete joke, all clinical ladders who are on the unit, your director of nursing, the assistant director of nursing The directors only see numbers not what is reasonable or not what might be best. Communication is terrible on all levels. The LPN's are so rude and most of it is due to them having lack of help and feeling overwhelmed. The CNA's are given more work than we can handle. With the amount of work put on CNA's we are given no free time to given extra help to our residents, there is no time for an extra conversation, we are constantly rushing and are responsible for an enormous amount of tasks. No one gives you credit for what you do or acknowledges your efforts. Your yearly prides are a joke considering they don't effect your raises or anything. The RN supervisors give you your prides but yet doesn't work with you or interact with you so technically you are given a false pride full of assumptions. It doesn't matter how many times you are late, call off, or just simply don't show up...nothing happens to you and your co workers are the one to suffer. The managers don't try and call people in when house is short they just pull from others floors to make them short as well. Advancement is not possible unless you are in the "click". This is just a 15 minute paragraph on the highlighted areas I felt were the most important. In my opinion there are a few more problems but these were the crucial areas.

I truly enjoyed working at the Masonic Villages.  A typical day is listed on my resume, assisting with ADL's, etc.  I learned how to use a Hoyer lift, learned the most effective way to handle dementia patients and experienced the true appreciation of a resident(s) when they are treated with dignity and respect.
I do apologize but management was typically so busy with their own tasks that they were rarely seen.  Upper management treated me like a number, not a name or a real person.  
Many of my co-workers were quick to pitch in and work as a team but some were simply there for a paycheck, not providing the care that the residents deserved.  I am 48 years old, I treated my residents as if they were my own family.  I don't take short cuts and am always willing to help anyone, anytime.
The hardest part of the job was waking up 12-15 patients per day and getting them all ready for breakfast by 8:00am.  (Start time was 6:00am)  To assist each patient with ADL's, etc., I feel that I did not have adequate time for each resident.  It was a super fast paced environment.
The most enjoyable part of the job was getting to know my residents.  They trusted me and knew that when I was there, they would receive top-notch care.  I made many new friends and have learned a lot about the "old days."  One can learn so much by simply listening.
An unfortunate accident while saving the life of a resident rendered me incapable of doing the job.  I have had recent surgery (July 2015) and have now been given full clearance by my surgeon to return to work.

The premises was kept clean at all times, and the laundry service was excellent, except when items were needed after hours.

We were all waiting for a new wing to be completed so that Masonic Village could provide a special style of care called Eden Alternative. As many construction projects often are, this one was behind schedule, mostly due to an overabundance of rainy weather. Unfortunately, many of the co-workers seemed to behave as if "anything goes" during the wait.

Management fluctuated in its effectiveness, as there was a lot of turnover with the RN employees. In my opinion, the management in place toward the end of my employment was well chosen and effective.

The hardest part of the job was that much of the work was physically demanding and quarters were small. Maneuvering room hadn't been added to the original layout of the building. However, the new construction promised to have a lot more room for everyone. I decided to move back to Illinois to be with my family, and wanted to get settled before the holidays, so I didn't see the finished construction and experience the Eden Alternative. I've heard it's excellent for resident-based care.

The most enjoyable part of the job is, hands down, working with the residents. One actually has fulfilling relationships with people for whom they give care and assistance on a regular basis, and I miss many of the residents.

The last few years management gets worse and worse. It's frustrating they don't tell you anything that's going on in the work place they just change whatever they want. For a "5" star rated place I haven't seen anything to back that rating up. If asked many employees will give it a "2 star.  Also the upper management are all friends and that makes every situation terrible. The residents are wonderful and the "underdog "employees are kind for the most part. But also very stressed. Everyone will tell you that works there not to. On a positive note It's a beautiful place with great benefits. But the pay is not even close to what it should be. It is so short staffed all the time and a major part is everyone is leaving. People who have been there 20 30 years are leaving and people who have been there 20 days are leaving.  Majority has to do with upper management issues, not being appreciated and terrible pay as well as working short everyday  . All in all it's a shame because it affects the care of the residents. Staff is  overworked and underpaid. 

A typical day consist of checking e-mails, writing activities/programs on the white board for the residents to see, attending stand-up, setting up for the first program, facilitate and clean up the program. Complete an interview then eat lunch. Complete an interview or a 1:1 with a resident then set/facilitate/clean up the second program for the day. Document programs, interviews and 1:1's. Make sure interviews, progress notes, and visitations were completed before leaving for the day. I learned about teamwork, how to document, write progress notes, how to compelte the APIE process, work with an EDEN team, resdient advocacy, culture change, and how to plan events. Management was quality because the co-workers worked well together and everyone helped out where they could. The harderst part of my job was hearing that someone had past away and being able to hold my emotions so other residents would not see. The most enjoyable part of my job was seeing that I was making a different and observing the residents quality of life improving.

Pros: Fast pace work environment, good for the really hard worker. The residents living there are pretty great. Once in a while a resident will have a hard time adapting to the new environment. But, if you’re good with people, you can easily make them feel comfortable. Pay differential is decent for 3-11 and 11-7. 
Cons: Management has a hard time seeing anyone under them as a real person. This is unfortunate. Favoritism is well noticed by all employees. 
Just a small change in behavior of management could make this a much more enjoyable experience. 
Most of the time the harder working employees have to pick up the slack of the ones that simply push their work off onto others. Management definitely sees this occurring often and they do nothing about it. The workers whom are lacking drive and compassion to quality care are friends with management. Keep your head down. Once you voice your concerns, management can’t wait to get rid of the problem (you) and they will stop at nothing to make it happen.


Below is how my days were at Masonic Villages

Provided Quality care, assisted with ADL’s, indoor/ outdoor activities.
•Recorded vital signs, weight and measurements, assisted with daily nutrition.
•Recorded patents care and behavior daily. Documented patient interactions as needed.
•Provided the best personal care, assisted w/ personal care and restorative care.
•Performed various direct patient care activities under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
• Aids physicians and nursing staff members with procedures if needed.
•Recorded patents care and behavior daily. Documented patient interactions as needed.
•Assists patients in dressing or undressing, bathing, or eating. 
•Collected non-invasive body fluid specimens. Received daily report from RN/LPN

 It was a great place to work. I would definitely work there again. The facility is nice and pleasant.

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Nursing supervisor 24 salaries reported	$39.31 per hour
Cook 4 salaries reported	$21.66 per hour

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