Can I land CNA job with my experience and education?

[keithm1012]

Hello all!

I am a second year Pre-nursing student at Citrus College and plan on entering the RN program in the fall of 2014.

Anyways, I have 9 months of experience working at McDonald's, from there I now work at a large 500 bed Hospital. I work in nutritional services, so I deliver patient trays, make meals, and setup meals according to the patients diet.

I also volunteer at a Cancer Research Center which is also going good for 6 months since I have been there.

If I decide to become a CNA, would I have a good chance of getting a stable position??? Thanks!!!!

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

I believe you need to become certified to work as a nursing assistant. To do that, you need to take a separate course, ranging from a few weeks to a few months in length. Some employers offer them for free, but you must agree to work for them for some period of time afterward. Other places, such as community colleges and CNA training schools, offer programs to get you trained and certified, after which you can apply for jobs. Check with your state's board of nursing to find out about approved programs that you can attend.

[keithm1012]

I believe you need to become certified to work as a nursing assistant. To do that, you need to take a separate course, ranging from a few weeks to a few months in length. Some employers offer them for free, but you must agree to work for them for some period of time afterward. Other places, such as community colleges and CNA training schools, offer programs to get you trained and certified, after which you can apply for jobs. Check with your state's board of nursing to find out about approved programs that you can attend.

Yeah! I understand I have to train in order to get the job! I just wanted to know if I am a good candidate for a CNA job when I get certified?

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

Ahhh, understood! Yeah, I think the fact that you've been in the hospital environment and are clearly comfortable with being around patients, setting up their trays, etc., would make you a strong candidate for sure.

[Jennie.K]

Taking the CNA course could be a waste of time and $$ bc you can work as a nurse tech (does the same thing as a CNA) after a certain amount of time in the nursing program. For example, I'm getting ready to start a BSN and I can work as a nurse tech after my first semester in the nursing program. With an ADN program, I think it is after the first year.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

No certification is required for patient care techs working in a hospital setting. While nursing homes typically have a 'CNA only' rule, the same does not apply in other environments. You also don't need to have any nursing school experience whatsoever...frankly, in my experience, a steady pulse is all that is required--that, and the ability to fill out the application form somehow.

Depending on the hospital, you might find that they are willing to train you how to take a blood pressure, give a bed bath, and after that--bingo, you have a job.

Have seen many people go from McDonald's to PCT in one jump; honestly, what they're training you for isn't that complicated.

If you're responsible, reliable, and educable, you've got it made.

[keithm1012]

No certification is required for patient care techs working in a hospital setting. While nursing homes typically have a 'CNA only' rule, the same does not apply in other environments. You also don't need to have any nursing school experience whatsoever...frankly, in my experience, a steady pulse is all that is required--that, and the ability to fill out the application form somehow.

Depending on the hospital, you might find that they are willing to train you how to take a blood pressure, give a bed bath, and after that--bingo, you have a job.

Have seen many people go from McDonald's to PCT in one jump; honestly, what they're training you for isn't that complicated.

If you're responsible, reliable, and educable, you've got it made.

Thanks for the advice! Yeah, I hope to stick with my current job at the hospital for at least a year, and will consider a tech job since they don't require a CNA license, thanks for the info!

[Rosenhammer]

No certification is required for patient care techs working in a hospital setting. While nursing homes typically have a 'CNA only' rule, the same does not apply in other environments. You also don't need to have any nursing school experience whatsoever...frankly, in my experience, a steady pulse is all that is required--that, and the ability to fill out the application form somehow.

Depending on the hospital, you might find that they are willing to train you how to take a blood pressure, give a bed bath, and after that--bingo, you have a job.

Have seen many people go from McDonald's to PCT in one jump; honestly, what they're training you for isn't that complicated.

If you're responsible, reliable, and educable, you've got it made.

Good info, and thanks. I've seen the similar to some moving from just a job, to a entry level job in the medical field. It's actually part of the inspiration I've used to start a career in the medical field.