Is my inexperience going to make it hard to find a job?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I got my CNA license on 10/17/08 and have been applying for jobs ever since. I've applied for 10 jobs so far, but have not been called for one interview. I've gotten quite a few "thanks for your interest, but we hired someone more qualified" letters. (I'm planning on really stepping up the job hunt after the first of the year.)

I already knew that there would be a bit of a struggle getting a job as a new CNA with no experience. However, I think that my lack of work experience in general is what is really hurting me.

I have been a stay-at-home mom for the past 17 years. I have barely worked. When I fill out the job experience portion of the job applications it is pretty pathetic. For my most recent "employment" I list the parent association that I'm the president of at my daughter's high school. I am responsible for a lot of things and oversee/delegate duties to a lot people. Even though it is a volunteer position that I am not paid for, I think that it is still valuable "work" experience. My daughter is graduating in May, so that "job" will be over soon. I don't have a supervisor to list because, well, with that job I am the supervisor. The teacher that I work with I list as a professional reference, so I can't list her as a supervisor to contact.

The next job I list is when I was a part-time grocery store cashier for three months...August 2006 to November 2006. The third job that I list is when I was a part-time para-professional at an elementary school for one semester...July 1998 to December 1998. With the cashier job I put the first name of my supervisor (because I don't know her last name) and the phone number. However, if a potential employer was to call them, they probably wouldn't remember me. With the para-professional job, the principal that was my boss is no longer employed there. So, if the potential employer called them they wouldn't have any idea of who I am.

The other two small part-time jobs that I've had as an adult were before 1994, so I don't bother to list them...they are too old. They wouldn't even know me.

I'm ready to enter the workforce now. My kids are getting older, so I can. I really want to work as a CNA to use the education that I got and to gain experience that will help me in the RN program. I'm hoping to work somewhere (a hospital preferably) that will pay for my tuition to get my RN. The hospital where I've been applying will pay 100% of nursing school tuition after working there for 12 months and signing a contract to work for the hospital for at least 3 years after graduation.

Anyone have any experience or advice for my situation? What can I do to show employers that I'm a hard worker who is ready to permanently enter the workforce?:confused:

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I'm not a CNA, but I have a pretty pathetic-looking work history myself. My last job was at a restaurant (Red Robin, actually... ) and that was back in '06. I haven't worked since then and I admit I haven't really been looking for a job for a variety of reasons (mainly school, and then last summer was hard bc a lot of places weren't hiring...) but once I go back to school after break, I'm looking into a nurse tech job and I'm worried that they aren't going to hire me d/t "lack of work experience." So I'm wondering this, myself... :confused:

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Specializes in Psych, Emergency, Med/Surg.

Hi. I firmly believe that this is the WORST time of the year for employers to be hiring. I think alot of them are worrying about the holidays, trying to manage their current staff and stuff without adding the pressures of training new people to the mix.

I've been out of work since Halloween and I'm a pre-nursing student who put those courses on hold to go to a Patient Care Assistant program in Jan 09. I was a Bartender for 12 years at the SAME bar, so I truly can feel for you when you say "lack" of experience. Being at the same place for so long seems like a good thing, but really employers look at it like an old dog new tricks kinda situation.

I think, though, BEFORE, you even took your cert., you had "experience" in caring for people........your Family :D. SO don't get too discouraged about being out of the rat race to raise your children. In this field, you have what they're looking for and that's the desire to help others before yourself.:heartbeat

I volunteer at my local hospital. It's a "way in" and I love every minute of it! The Volunteer Manager knows that I'm going to Nursing school soon so she puts me ALL over the hospital doing ALL kinds of stuff! So, hopefully after I finish my PCA training maybe, just maybe, I can get a paying spot there too.

Good luck in your searches, and I wish the best for you.

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Where are you applying? Many times, LTC's and ALF's will hire new CNA's with no previous experience. Hospitals usually want you to have some sort of work history in the field. Have you made any cold calls? I have gotten the majority of my jobs in this manner. Call the local nursing homes and ask them if there are hiring. Be aggressive! Nowadays, everyone is looking for a job. Show sincere interest and I think you will find the job you're looking for. Good luck!

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Specializes in CNA.

I can't address every job market across the country and tell you how good/bad things are. Having said that, I became a CNA at age 53 after having nothing but white collar jobs since college. Yes, I had a good job history, but a lot of people thought I couldn't possibly succeed in this field, or even get a job in the first place having been an IT person (as some others on this forum were).

Of course, I did get a job. As others have pointed out, this is a bad time of year to be hired --- good time to get your resumes out there, but even if there are job openings, employers just don't do a lot of hiring around the holidays. Too many days off, people unavailable to interview or even look at resumes in the first place. Too many parties and not enough time to do HR stuff. Keep in mind that a small nursing home will have a single HR person - if he/she is off, nothing much happens. Not like a major corporation where someone else can cover.

There is some anecdotal evidence that going to a place, in person, and filling out an application along with leaving your resume yields better results --- shows some initiative rather than just sitting at home on the PC. I would try targeting 2-3 places in a day --- walk in and ask if they'll take an application (or call first) and if so, complete it (do it neatly, with excellent spelling and punctuation unlike most of my postings:no:).

As we're always discussing on this forum, be patient (we all know, harder to do than say). Apply to everyplace --- accept a position even if it means a bit longer commute, or less money, or whatever, to get your foot in the door. A year of experience will change your employment world. Again, as stated, nursing homes provide more employment opportunities but apply everywhere. I assume you're using job boards, ads in the local newspaper, phone book (online or 'real one') to find every possible place. Often, many people just don't know all the resources for finding potential employers.

Be aware that I know, first hand, that it often takes weeks to hire even with an immediate opening. HR/hiring person will often gather resumes for several weeks. They want to get the best qualified people (or may very well want a newbie) and they'll simply sit on a pile of resumes until some cutoff date. Then, they start contacting people. No news is not necessarily bad news.

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I haven't worked since 2005 and I found a job within a week of taking my CNA exam. Try home health agencies or group homes. I work for a home health agency and I love it and I didn't have any experience. It's not back breaking like being in an assisted living or nursing home and I actually get paid more. I've been trying to get on at the hospital and I apply every week and they haven't called me. You'll find something; it can be frustrating but just keep applying or call and ask them about the status of your application.

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Thanks everyone for the advice! At the first of the year I am going to really step up my efforts and apply for jobs in person. I know that I can make a better face-to-face impression than how I look on paper (from my lack of work experience).

One of the advantages to my situation is that I don't have to work. I want to work to use the education I've gotten so far and to gain experience to help me with my future education. Of course, the extra money will be a huge perk!

I've got my eye on some assisted living and ltc facilities to try first. There is also a new sub-acute facility near my home that doesn't require CNAs to have prior experience. They aren't hiring right now, but hopefully they will have openings soon. I'm going to see if they'll take an application from me anyway.

I really want to work at a hospital. A lot of the job ads I see for the hospitals ask for 3 - 6 months of experience. So, I'm hoping to get something to give me experience so that one day I'll work at a hospital.

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I agree. Get a job in assisted living or a nursing home and work for a solid year. Then, hospitals will snap you up!

You can do it!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

To the original poster: I understand your situation because I am facing a similar situation at the moment. But I will offer this suggestions...

1. Because of the economy, hiring is going to be slow for the time being so just keep that in mind.

2. Play up your life experience versus your work experience when trying to sell yourself.

3. Look at home care agencies, LTC setting and hospitals during your search.

4. Human Resource Departments are notorious for taking a long time to respond to new applicants so you have to take the initiative to call them and remind them who you are and why they need to hire you. After about a week from when you put an application you should call the HR department of the facility you have applied to and wait for a call back. If you don't receive a call back within a few days then call again. When you do receive a call back from someone be sure to remind them who you are and what position you applied for (because they never seem to remember.) If the person says to call back in a week then wait a week before you call back (you want to keep on them but not to harass them.)

Its my personal opinion but I would rather be a CNA for a hospital because you get to see more and you tend to get paid more then LTC or home health.

!Chris :specs:

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Hi,I just wanted to wish you luck and tell ya not to give up,I guess I'm about to be in the same boat,I have basically been a stay at home mom for 24 yrs(6 kids) I did work at a podiatry office as an MA for 8 mths from 06-07 but thats about it. although I was "an in home daycare provider " most of those yrs. anyway GOODLUCK,keep us posted.:D ps. at my school the instructor gave us evaluations,written and verbal and she told some of us that she would give us a ref. for a job,ask your school if they will do that.

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i was a pca with no training

and i got lucky i guess

it helped knowing my sister worked in the same place shes a rn

but when i got in it really made a difference

they will help you get all the training you need

find good references preferable rns or other people you work for

if you cant go that route

start out as a home health aide in a agency

and put in about 6 months

there will be a start and you will more than likely get hired

they look for the experience to hire you in a hospital

due to the critical care needed

dont give up !

and good luck !

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