Agency work for CNA

rpbear · Sep 17, 2003

I am not sure how it works in you part of the country, but here you don't have to be a CNA to work in a hospiital setting. I worked in a hospital on the orthopedic/vascular med/surg floor for a year before I went into nursing school. It was great experience! Before that I was a CNA at a nursing home, but it did't like it much. I know my experience as a CNA help, but I was hired along with those who had NO experience in healthcare.

Maybe you should look into if the hospitals require CNA certification before you spend the money on the class.

In the hospitals the job title is different, maybe Aide, PCA, nursing assistant or something like that.

Good luck!

aac96 · Sep 17, 2003

Hi, usually the "aides" that work in the Psych units are called Mental Health Workers, at least in California. They usually have some type of Psych background or degree.

FutureRNMichael · Sep 17, 2003

Thanks for the kind words.

I've looking into tech positions and genereally all those jobs require previous experience today. With the job market as it is here in Oregon, there are plenty of avalible experienced tech's without work for hospitals to demand experienced workers.

ER Tech,Psych Tech, MH Tech all require experience and RARELY do I ever see openings listed for those positons.

It might cost more money to become a CNA but the work is easier to find, from my searching and probing.

FutureRNMichael · Sep 17, 2003

bump....

RN~in~CT · Sep 17, 2003

Once I finished my sophomore year in college (BSN), we were considered eligible to sit for the CNA test....in other words, never had to pay for the class.

I worked as staff for a nursing home, then transferred to an agency, and the $ was much better.

Good luck to you

Nusss · Sep 17, 2003

Hi Michael! I just wanted to let you know i live in Missouri, and work for the Dept of Mental health. I have work there almost five years. Iam a psychiatric aide/medication aide. I have had all my training on the job, as everyone else has where i work. I did have psychology and sociology classes before i started there, but it was not a requirement. I love it. Iam working partime now to go through school . I hope to be in the ADN program to become a RN by next fall. My boss thinks i cant get done fast enough.lol!!

Well just wanted to give you some info! Good luck with your CNA.

____________________

JoAnn,prenursing student

FutureRNMichael · Sep 22, 2003

Buuump.

SnowieRN · Sep 22, 2003

500 dollars to become a CNA? Thats steep :/ The only experience I have with "on job certification" is Pharm. Tech. If your just wanting to start off the job for the $$, they make really nice. Walgreens will start you off at around 9 or 10 an hour, and pay for any pharmacy related classes you take while in school.

FutureRNMichael · Sep 22, 2003

Snowie -- From my understanding, I thought Pharm. Tech's needed a degree to work as a Tech ... I did not know anything about Pharmacy Tech's being enty-level work. If I knew that, heck I would be working Pharmacy now.

sjoe · Sep 22, 2003

The best source of answers to your questions would be the agencies in your area. Stop in and talk with them. Pin them down on specifics as well as you can regarding hours/wages/local market/etc. for CNAs.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Nov 25, 2003

Hi, Michael!

You may wanna do a search on this site on this topic. Think there's a lot more info here.

I too think it's a good idea to go forward with your basic plan.

Good luck!