Can you get a CNA job without attending a formal CNA program?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hi! So I'm a pre-nursing student at Broward College in South Florida, finishing up my pre reqs and I'm looking to get my feet wet in the hospital setting. I just completed my Medical CORE at Sheridan Technical center (which includes curriculum in workplace safety/OSHA, law and ethics, infection control, fundamental skills [how to use PPE, blood pressure, proper gloving, wheelchair transition, basic patient communication skills etc] , hepatitis and blood borne illnesses, introduction to the human body, basic first aid, CPR certification as well as Modules for AIDS/HIV, Prevention of Medical Errors, and Domestic Abuse.). So I will have my certificates in those modules come Monday.

With that being said I'm now looking into Ruby's School of Health Occupations to take their Nursing Assistant 65 hour review course. This is NOT a formal 75 hour CNA training program, just a review that allows you to challenge the state exam, which I'm planning on passing by October. .

From there I plan on completing their certificate programs in EKG and Phlebotomy. What I'm wondering is, if I intend to apply to hospital CNA positions that require EKG and Phlebotomy certificates, (which I'll have) will they ask for proof that I attended an accredited program or will my CNA certification, the 90 hour CORE class, phlebotomy and EKG certificates be enough??

I don't think there is any rule or law saying that a hospital has to employ a CNA. If you have the certification noboby is going to know the difference unless you point it out. I don't think there is the option to challenge it here though. In Oklahoma, which is where I live, most hospitals want you to have the certificate to prove you know something about the job. The CNA Licensing was instituted by the federal government because of abuse in the nursing homes. A person could jump from job to job and they couldn't track if they were an abuser. It was also designed to give a basic understanding of the elderly and common problems they face. When I read my CNA training book it is very close to the same material as my nursing textbook. It is extremely simplified though.

In my state, they hire people who are not certified. However, a lot of people will not touch you until you are certified or finish at least 1 semester if not two semesters of clinicals. I would see if you can find other nursing students to get a better picture of what your state requires.

Specializes in Neurocritical Care.

In NC they will hire you if you don't take the class, but some places like those people to have some experience first since they don't have the clinical hours in. The only reason I went through the class is because its a requirement here to be able to apply to the nursing program. I went on to get the CNA2 certification so that I could get the advanced nursing experience for school. Worked in critical care for 2 years and its far more rewarding than having the CNA 1 certification. Good luck!

In Missouri you can work 4 months unlicensed then you are out. Most places won't touch you though unless your already licensed.

Most hospitals where I live require you to have some type of certificate. If you are a CNA, ok, bc they will train you to do the blood draws, IV starts, and EKGs they require of PCT.

Some places around here all hire you at a very low rate as a student. I think by law in Ohio (I could be wrong) you have to get certified by 4 months.

One of my local hospitals doesn't require you to be certified (however, that's about to change soon like really soon). If the hospital is a part of a big network like IU Health here in Indiana, you can almost bet they would want to see the class completion. I would suggest contacting the HR department of the local hospitals and asking them. They will gladly tell you what they prefer in an employee for that type of position. I'm in the same position of just completing my pre-reqs for nursing school. I'm taking my CNA class and treating it as a pre-req.

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

All you need is the certificate, doesn't matter how you get it.

Some states will even allow you to work in hospitals without being certified, for less pay.

I'm working at one of the local hospitals as a "Nursing Student Extern", but I'm basically a CNA (although, I get about 4 more dollars per hour than the starting CNA rates). All I had to do to apply for the position was have proof that I completed a semester of Fundamentals along with the lab/clinical, and prove that I was still a student in a nursing program.

If I were you, I'd look around for a similar job. I wasn't required to have a CNA license and I'll most likely land a job as an RN after I graduate.

If you're not a nursing student, then I'm sorry for making you waste your time to read this :p I was just assuming that you might be.

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