Anyone else don't have their GED or HS diploma?

cna23 · Feb 18, 2011

I know where you're coming from. I have a best friend that's a Cna, but doesn't have her ged. She says the same thing, and I feel for her. Personally, I don't think a piece of paper should determine if you're a good worker or not. But this is the world we live in now, I know it sucks, and I'm pretty sure there's people out there that agree with me. The only "advice" I can give you, is to buckle down and try to get your ged.

BabyGirlx3 · Feb 18, 2011

Yeah. That's true, it is the world we live in. In a way I get discouraged but then again more determine. I am trying to buckle down for my GED. Your only allowed so many chances to pass, not saying I"ll fail them all, but I want to make sure. I think I just had a break down this morning. The position that was open has been one that I was waiting for. lol So when I saw that I just cried.

jb2u, ASN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

First, congratulations on going for your GED!! No, you are not less of a person for not having a GED or HS diploma, but the market is saturated. I can only assume at some point before you dropped out of school, someone, sometime, said, "you should finish school and get your diploma or you will have a hard time finding a job." Right? If not, I am sorry to hear that. As an employer, they can be more selective. If there were a saturation of nurses, I am sure many nurses with an associates degree would find themselves out of work, not because they are less as people, but because someone with a BSN has more formal education. This is not to say they are smarter or harder working....you have to hire someone first to find that out; however, you do know that they have more formal education before you even call them for an interview.

Of course, there are many reasons that you may have trouble getting a job. It may have little to do with not having a GED. The best thing you can do is make yourself as marketable as possible. The first step in that is to get the GED. Second, get someone to review your resume. Do you go by to pick up an application? If so, how do you dress. I worked at a place where, if someone came in to pick up/drop off an application and had flip flops, etc. on, the secretary would note that on the application. Again, you want to be one up on your competition. If the other applicants have applications with typos, did not bring a resume, and dressed like they were going to a soccer game, but they do have a GED or HS diploma. And then, you come in dressed professionally, with resume in hand, smile on your face, typo free application, and no GED. I'd say you would be the better applicant. At least you'd increase your chance to get the interview. That is where you can let the employer know that you regret not getting your GED, but you have grown and realize the importance of having your GED. Let them know that you are getting your GED at this time.

I hope that helps. I wish you all the best. Keep your head up!!

TBMB · Feb 19, 2011

Congratulations on going for your GED. Good for you. :) It will be a huge accomplishment and will pay off in the end. To be honest, I'm sure a lot of people are without a GED for many reasons. It does take a lot of courage and determination to obtaining a GED and "going back to school." It helps to know you aren't alone. We really aren't and it's nice to know others are in the same boat as we are. I too am working towards getting my GED. There are several CNA prorgrams in the area that don't require a GED to enter the program, but for employment it does, so I'm going to work towards my GED first, no matter how long or how hard it will take.

You are no less a person or less of a hard worker in that you are working towards something that does require hard work. It will definitely pay off in the end.

I wish you luck in getting your GED. You can do it. You're going in the right direction. Being discouraged so much leads to more better encouragement. Don't give up!