Advice for landing a med/surg job as a brand new CNA?

[NorthmanRig]

Hello.

I begin my CNA courses at my community college on the 6th of Jan. I am very excited to learn and start working in healthcare. I am sure I will probably have to work at a LTHC facility first because most hospitals from what I've read/heard don't hire CNAs who are brand new. Anyway, I am still going to look and try and I would appreciate any advice from those who have worked med/surg or who know what employers want.

Is there anything I can do to up the odds of landing this job? Shadowing on a med/surg floor, free-time studying, certifications?

I want to work med/surg because I want to be exposed to as much knowledge and experience as possible. I want to work in ICU when I become a nurse and go on eventually to get my DNP.

[AnthoScott]

It sounds like you have the right idea. Most managers want to see some direct patient care experience under your belt before they will hire you to an acute care setting. That being said, however, my former manager (Med/Tele) always hired brand new CNAs to our unit because she felt that new CNAs developed bad habits and attitudes working in skilled nursing facilities. In other words, she wanted them to be trained her way. I only worked in a SNF for 3 or 4 months before being hired to my former floor.

[NorthmanRig]

I wished I still lived by SLC, I'd be looking for work at that hospital. Thanks for the positive reply. That is a good idea about hiring brand new CNAs and training them how you would like. Perhaps I can use that mentality in a pitch when I am looking for work a few months from now.

[RunnerD1987]

Hi, I actually just applied to work as a Patient Care Associate in a Surgical unit. You probably have a better shot of getting it then me. They were definitely looking for an individual who can think on their feet and patient care experience. So work towards patient care experience.

Something that doesn't pop up a lot is this OR job called an Anesthesia Technician...normally you don't need to be certified and learn on the job. That is what I did for awhile you prepped IV bag's, stocked pharmaceutical item's, a lot of stocking, and you assisted in prepping equipment for the anesthesiologist. I can't remember the exact names but echocardiograph scope, bronchoscope, lumens, LMA, triple A lines, Blood gasses, and so forth.

Good luck with everything and with nursing.

[jjmm RN,BSN]

I think it depends on the hospital system. I work as a nurse assistant float in a hospital. It is good nursing experience because I float to the ER, ICU, tele, and med/surg, wherever they need me. I'm expecting to graduate in May and I'm hoping they will hire me as a graduate nurse/RN. I had 9 months of LTC experience as a CNA, but they tend to hire students in RN programs, even those with no patient care experience, except for clinicals. If your area hospitals don't hire aides with no experience, get a job in LTC so you will have direct patient care experience and keep trying. Good luck!