New to Nursing: Info about C.N.A job and expectation

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Float Pool, MICU, CTICU.

Hello, I'm new to the allnurses community and this is my first post :)

Anyway, I've recently changed my major to Nursing and I'm glad I did. I've enjoy my classes thus far and I'm wanting to take the next step and get training to become a C.N.A. My goal for this summer entails, meeting with my nursing adviser, working two jobs before my C.N.A. class starts, getting First Aid/CPR Certified, working at a hospital as a C.N.A. (which means I will leave the two previous jobs mention), volunteer and get a head start and study for Micro before classes resume for the fall. I know I can be optimistic at times, as you can see with my summer goals, but I do have some questions of the reality of attaining them.

1.) I've done research online acquiring as much information as possibly trying to gain insight of the duties of C.N.A. in various setting and cost of course. I know that ideally, I would rather work at a hospital than in any other place of employment, although I am open for anything. Is it possible for new C.N.A. to work at hospitals with no previous health care experience? How fastpast is that enviroment?

I've worked in retail for 4yrs and fully understand the role and importance of customer care and satisfaction. In working in retail, I am always on my feet for hours at a time, so I'm hoping that will show I can withstand being on my feet for so long. I am getting a letter of recommondation from my A&P instructor as well my A&P lab instructor (and hopefully my nursing advisor) to aid with my application and resume. They have noticed my progress in class and are happy to write a personalized recommondation for me. My grade in the lecture is well over 100% and I have a 91% in lab. I'm finishing my medical terminology and developmental psychology course as we speak and want to add those details to my resume for that special kick lol.

2.) It seems like there is always a demand for C.N.A.s in my area. I've read online that many nursing homes and other facilities will either training a potential employee for free or paid for their C.N.A. course in exchange for working for them for a minimum of one year. Has anybody been successful in this approach of getting their course paid for?

3.) Or is it better that I wait a year before applying to a hosptial so I have that experience under my belt?

In summary...

I really want to get a jump on gaining experience for nursing. I feel like taking the CPR and C.N.A course are good foundations for nursing. My ideal enviroment is in a hopsital, therefore, I want to make a good impression to show them I want to be there with what I've mentioned above. Any opinions on what you think of this goal and tips would be greatly appericiated! Thank you :yeah:

It is possible, though highly unlikely, for a CNA with no experience to be hired to a hospital. There may be some hospitals that would hire you, so apply anyway; you never know if you will get lucky or not. :D They usually require 6 months to 1 year of prior experience, which is often gained by working in long-term care.

Since you want to be a nurse, you will get the best experience for your future career by working in a hospital. You will be able to see a wider variety of cases as well as perform a few more "advanced" skills than CNAs in long-term care.

Unless your CPR class specifically says "BLS" or "...for the Health Care Provider" I wouldn't take it just yet (except if required for entry into the CNA program). Classes without the above terms in their titles are often geared for the lay person and may not be accepted at places of employment, requiring you to retake the class again.

Specializes in LTC.

Don't put all your eggs in the hospital basket. Like Coffeemate said, you'll probably have to work long term care first. You don't need first aid or CPR classes for LTC and as far as I know, you don't need them for the hospital either- they'll train you on the job. Putting your classes on your resume won't hurt, but it probably won't help either. Pretty much everybody takes those as pre-reqs to the nursing program so they won't make you stand out or anything. As a CNA they don't care if you took developmental psychology as much as they care that you have common sense and people skills. Retail experience is also good, but not because it shows you can stand on your feet- that's expected- it's because it shows you have experience in kissing butt.

It seems like you have a very detailed plan on how you want things to go, and you're excited about it, which is good, but don't get too upset if things don't work out exactly like you wanted.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Float Pool, MICU, CTICU.

Thanks for the information you guys! Sorry about the late reply...finals this week blah!

The more I think about it, the more I agree with you guys. The whole goal is to gain experience, no matter what environment I am in ( LTC, hospital, etc) as long as I am gaining the skills to better help future patients. I'm surprise that many do not require potential workers to be CPR train first, but maybe that is something that is covered in the CNA class or on-the-job like you mention.

LOL at the kissing butt comment :)

I do get a couple of customers like that, but in the department I work in, Lingerie, they don't come by too often. The ladies that I help with bras fittings are appreciative of the help.

I will keep an open mind and welcome any and all opportunities that may come my way.

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