Finding an entry level cna opening

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hi everyone.

I am entering into the medical field as a CNA. I am starting out with no experience as I am leaving another career field. I am finding that it is difficult to get a job with no experience. I am planning to attend school in Aprl but I would like to get my feet wet first. Any ideas?

Thanks and smiles,

Cindy Noble

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Hi everyone.

I am entering into the medical field as a CNA. I am starting out with no experience as I am leaving another career field. I am finding that it is difficult to get a job with no experience. I am planning to attend school in Aprl but I would like to get my feet wet first. Any ideas?

Thanks and smiles,

Cindy Noble

Hi Cindy!

Wat state are you in? I am also planning to study cna but am afraid of not finding a job later :( I am located in Texas!

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Specializes in OB.

Go for it! I did my CNA training back in 2009 and had no experience in the medical field whatsoever. I worked PT then as an Sr. administrative Assistant from 9-1 and did the CNA program from 6-10 Monday thru Friday for 6 weeks. 1 month later I got a job on mother/baby. Working full time I did the surgical technology for 1 year and then when I was done I transferred to L/D as an OB scrub tech and have been doing it for a year and a half almost. Now I'm about to start my science classes in the spring for a BSN and start the nursing classes in the fall next year! So definitely being a CNA opens many doors and the experience you will gain will be invaluable! Good luck to both!

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I would try a nursing home or home health care agency (if you don't mind driving and a varied schedule). Hospitals usually require previous experience as a CNA or medsurg clinical experience as a nursing student. Otherwise, if you don't mind not getting a different job at a hospital, there are transport tech jobs available!

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Specializes in inerested in school nursing, peds, OR.

I live in Texas and didn't have a problem at all. I had 2 job offers a couple of weeks after I took my test at hospitals and I have no experience. Just apply everywhere. I applied to hundreds of jobs, and when you get an interview, kick butt at it!

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Specializes in inerested in school nursing, peds, OR.

Also, ask your CNA class instructor if they know of any openings. My teacher gave my whole class a list of openings she knew of and even some contacts of people who do the interviewing. She also let us use her as a reference on applications!

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Also, ask your CNA class instructor if they know of any openings. My teacher gave my whole class a list of openings she knew of and even some contacts of people who do the interviewing. She also let us use her as a reference on applications!

Where did you take your classes? I'm thinking about going for pct instead

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I just got my first job as a CNA in a Nursing home/Rehabilition center. I plan on working for for 6 months to a year and then try to get into a Hospital. It took me 3 months of job interviews to get the job that I have now. Don't give up hope, keep applying. I know many people don't want the job in a nursing home but if you can do it just to gain some experience will be worth it.

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Specializes in inerested in school nursing, peds, OR.

Where did you take your classes? I'm thinking about going for pct instead

I took classes at San jac college. PCT is really the same thing. That's what I am and all I have is my CNA. There's not a certification that says PCT or anything that's just what hospitals call it. Or PCA.

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Specializes in inerested in school nursing, peds, OR.

Oh and San jacinto college is in Pasadena, tx

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Specializes in Surgical.
I took classes at San jac college. PCT is really the same thing. That's what I am and all I have is my CNA. There's not a certification that says PCT or anything that's just what hospitals call it. Or PCA.

She pretty much summed that up. I landed a PCA job after completing the CNA course. The difference between PCA and PCT at my hospital is a phlebotomy cert and an EKG cert for PCT's.

@cnoble, where are you located? From my experience, NJ is pretty easy for CNA positions. I applied to the hospital before I even finished my course and they gave me an offer contingent on passing my skills and written boards. It seems that experience in clinicals is enough around here. Good luck!

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One month after I had recieved my liscense I ended up with 3 job offers with no experience..I live in the northeast. I work on a sub acute rehab floor..we do have two LTC floors as well. I do plan on trying to get into a hospital but for those jobs around here, I need experience first. Don't give up and good luck...you will find something.

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