Can CNAs work in hospitals with no experience?

[Chopchop11]

Hi everyone! I'm brand new to the site, but I've been checking it out for the past couple of months and it seems like a really valuable resource. I've actually got a couple of questions- I just passed my state exam to become an NA/R, and would really like to work in a hospital vs. LTC. I've also been accepted into a nursing program and will begin in the fall. Do you think this would help my chances of getting on in a hopital, and if so, does anyone have any suggestions of which area would be the most new-CNA friendly??

Also, I've seen people posting about A&P coloring study guides....which ones are the best?

Thanks SO much for any input!!! :)

[Nesher, BSN, RN]

Yes CNA's can work in the hospital with no experience. Do you have an idea of what type of nursing you want to do? If so apply for CNA positions on those type units.

I'm in stem cell transplant and we love CNA/nursing students! In particular the gung-ho types that are helpful and want to learn! And we always hire them when they graduate!

[TCASII, ADN]

Depends where you live. The city I live is huge and we're saturated with CNAs. They generally won't hire without plenty of experience.

[Candidnt]

I went into the hospital setting as a nursing assistant (this was back before certification was a requirement) several months after I finished the program, with no practical work experience as a nursing assistant up to that point. In fact, I worked in a 16-bed medical ICU (the same unit in which I would later do my nursing internship in my final semester in nursing school, years later). So yes, you can work just about anywhere as a new CNA. They'll teach you the things you need to know that are specific to your unit. Otherwise, just ask them what you need to know, and if you haven't learned the skill, then they need to teach you. Actually the hospital is a good setting for a CNA, especially if they're going to go to nursing school later on; it better prepares them for the realities of nursing school and health care (as it did me). Good luck.