Advice for new CNA

[Marissa2619]

Hi,

My name is Marissa, 17, almost out of highschool! lol I took my state board test for my skills test for the second time this past Friday and passed! I am very excited. I understand that everyone has to pay their dues but I was hoping to get a job at the local hospital (small town, only one where i live). How do I go about this? I know places would like for a CNA to have prior experience, especially a hospital. Any advice? Thanks for reading! I'm excited to read up on your opinions!

-Marissa:)

[KirbyEMT]

Just start putting out apps. Most places are hiring CNA's and HCT's

[rn-jane]

:up:Marissa Give yourself a pat on the back! Congrats to you. I think if you want to work in a hospital call to talk with a nurse recruiter at the local hospitals around you. Tell them you will work on any floor, they probally will put on a basic medical floor or a long term such as a skilled floor. Don't be upset if they tell you to get experience going to a long term facility or nursing home. You can get good experience in homes and can move on to do whatever you want to do. Good luck to you!

[Marissa2619]

THANK YOU GUYS! (:

[BellaInBlueScrubsRN]

Sometimes if you look at a job posting, it might say experience but put in your app anyway. They still might give you a shot! Good luck

[juliaann]

Congrats on passing your exam!! I agree with the above advice, just apply at the hospital! You never know what their needs are going to be, and what their expectations are of experience. As a CNA who got her first job in a hospital, I know you can do it without prior experience, you just have to find a place willing to give you chance.

Maybe if they don't have any openings you can ask about volunteering at the hospital? That can really open doors for you now and down the road.

Best of luck!

[kool-aide, RN]

I'm a hospital CNA and it was my first job. If you're planning on being a nurse, make sure they know that. All the nurses I work with kinda "took me under their wing" because they know I will be in nursing school soon.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

Exactly,

if you tell nurses right off that you are planning to go to nursing school, they will try to involve you in the care that you don't see every day....NG tubes, Suctioning, Foleys, etc.

Put those apps in, be honest and direct in interviews, and just let your personality come through. I know that an.com has MANY threads about what to do on the job, so search though and try to find some of those.

And congrats! welcome to this crazy world of nursing! CNAs are the backbone of what we do!