Help: Can't find a CNA job!!

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I am currently a Pre-Nursing student. Last summer I decided to take a CNA course so that I could learn more about nursing and better prepare myself for when I become a RN. So I passed my CNA test with flying colors. I got 100% on my skills test. BUT I have not been able to find a job. I have applied everywhere and haven't gotten a job yet, mostly because I don't have experience except for volunteering at a hospital.

Can anyone give me any advice or tips on how to get a job as a CNA at a Hospital or clinic? It has been almost impossible to find a job. I wish I knew someone that worked at a hospital that could recommend me for a position. I don't have working experience but I need to start somewhere. PLEASE HELP! :)

I live in the bay area (northern CA), CALIFORNIA.

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It can be hard to get hired at a hospital or clinic with no experience. It's probably not what you want to hear, but most aides have to start out at a nursing home. Check into nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies in your area.

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It took me a full year to find a CNA job in a Rehab hospital and I was in my 3rd clinical semester in Nursing school and no experience. Try a rehab hospital in the area, they're a little easier to get into.

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Okay thanks for the suggestions! I will try that.

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Specializes in CNA.
Can anyone give me any advice or tips on how to get a job as a CNA at a Hospital or clinic?

Yep. Get a job in a crappy nursing home to get some experience so a hospital or clinic will look at you.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.

Some nursing homes are good lol

I'm in the same situation as the OP but I'm in so cal

What I would do is look up every nursing home in a x radius and call and ask if they are hiring.

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Specializes in Trauma, Emergency.

oh i feel you girl! i'm in the same boat- finished my CNA class and got certified last summer...been applying for positions of like a 60mi radius since mid-january. ready to scream! i know two people from my CNA class (also had no prior CNA work experience, but KNEW someone in the hospital) that have been hired as CNAs in the last 2 months (within 2 weeks of applying for both of them). and worst of all, they didn't seem to take class or clinicals very seriously at all. i am so frustrated, and i think it's really super dumb that you have to know someone to get your foot in the door at a hospital as a CNA with no experience. my 40 hours of clinical experience taught me enough to make me a real asset to any unit, but i can't even get a chance to prove myself. all i want to do is help broken people heal, gosh!! good luck, girl, i really hope you get some good news soon :redpinkhe

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.

well I guess its nursing homes...

I think the real reason we are wanting a hospital (besides its sounds funner) is because we might get hired at a shady nursing home. at least thats partially my fear.

When I did my clinicals, it was a rehab/ltc place.

It was ok, but some of the CNA cut major corners, I saw some stuff that I was like whoa. Plus no one spoke decent english. How did they even pass the test.

That is my fear, finding a job at a shady nursing home turning and seeing worse CNA's then I saw at clinicals. Plus I really don't like the whole language barrier (IMHO, while on the clock, you should be speaking ONLY english if you are in america).

I don't know, as I said, I guess I will have to call all those around me to see if they are hiring.

Well all I can take is a summer job. I hope its enough to show healthcare experience & to gain some actual experience.

Good luck everyone

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Yet again, not all nursing homes are "crappy", and not all hospitals are dreamlands full of sunshine and rainbows. There's no shame in taking care of the disabled or elderly. Honestly.

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Yet again, not all nursing homes are "crappy", and not all hospitals are dreamlands full of sunshine and rainbows. There's no shame in taking care of the disabled or elderly. Honestly.

Exactly. The main reason you probably can't find a job is because you're ONLY applying at hospitals and clinics. The majority of CNA jobs are in LTC sorry to tell you. Many hospitals want experience and are very competitive. There is no shame in "wiping butts" (which you will do a lot of in a hospital too. whoever thinks you don't have to wipe butts in a hospital is in for a not so pleasant surprise)

Not all nursing homes are horrible, and the elderly/disabled need people to take care of them too. I work in a hospital and while I like it, it's not all rainbows and sunshine. There is still dirty, back breaking work and it's still stressful.

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Well it depends on your location. I live in Phoenix where there are hundreds of nursing homes and the like. It took me a month to find a job after I got my CNA number. For your first CNA job, you shold just take what you can and not be picky trying to get into hospitals and clinics. As others have said, hospital work is not always better than nursing homes. There is a lot of work to be done in a hospital and tons of showers to be done! Anyway try applying to some nursing homes and then after 6 months of so apply at hospitals...clinics....

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Exactly. The main reason you probably can't find a job is because you're ONLY applying at hospitals and clinics. The majority of CNA jobs are in LTC sorry to tell you. Many hospitals want experience and are very competitive. There is no shame in "wiping butts" (which you will do a lot of in a hospital too. whoever thinks you don't have to wipe butts in a hospital is in for a not so pleasant surprise)

Not all nursing homes are horrible, and the elderly/disabled need people to take care of them too. I work in a hospital and while I like it, it's not all rainbows and sunshine. There is still dirty, back breaking work and it's still stressful.

Well said.

Especially in California since the nursing jobs are scarce.

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