Job search

[stewartfamily2010]

Hi all. I recently got my CNA certifiation and now I'm on the hunt for a job. I live in a smal community so the pickins are slim. I've applied to a long term care home, which they informed me the position is already filled. I've also applied to several positions at my local hospital. The only one in town. In the county for that matter. I'm afraid that in looking at my resume I may be passed up because 1.) I'm newly certified with zero experience and 2.) all of my previous and current work experience is in an office type setting. I'm an excellent worker and I know that if I was given a chance I could prove myself to them but so far I haven't even been offered an interview. So I have a couple of questions. Do you think I should stop applying to the CNA positions and go for secretarial / admin type positions to get my foot in the door? OR should I go hard for the CNA and ED Tech (requires that you have your CNA or EMT) positions? I.E. Calls to follow-up on position status, letters to human resources, etc.? I really want to start getting my feet wet so to speak. I just applied to the nursing program and, fingers crossed, when I get in I'll need a new work schedule. Hopefully one that can afford me experience as well as a paycheck.

[Career2_BSN, BSN]

I will soon be in your shoes. I currently have a deskjob - have for years - and am in a CNA class so I can work as a CNA while in NS. I know my current employer won't work around my school schedule and they only want full-time employees. I have to be able to attend class during the week and work evenings or weekends if necessary.

In southern CA, home health jobs are PLENTIFUL!!! Much more so than CNA hospital jobs. The LTCs and SNFs seem to abound as well but I haven't seen nearly as many job postings for those.

One friend works in HR at one of the local hospitals and said they prefer to hire people with home health experience over those with LTC because they feel like you're more likely to have acute patients in home health.

Another friend works for a home health agency and she said they are extremely flexible with hours. She can work any day/shift she wants to work so they will totally work around her family and school schedules. After reading posts by nurses and CNAs, many feel like the work environment in home health is preferable over LTC. The demands are more reasonable since it's one or two patients. There are more domestic chores (dishes, laundry, cooking, etc) and some houses are really not kept well but you can communicate your concerns with your manager and get another assignment if one is just way too gross for you.

I started looking on Craigslist for CNA positions after my mom, who works for a Dr, said they only advertise their positions there. There's a lot more available than I ever imagined, but most are in home health.

Best of luck to you!!

[stewartfamily2010]

Thanks for your input. Great advice. If I can't get on at my local hospital I'll start looking into home health care.