Career advancement advice for new CNAs

[Lexi256]

I am a new CNA looking for advice on career advancement.

Has anyone ever tried to obtain a hospital position as a CNA?

I think that working in the hospital would be good experience for me and will help me to get an idea of where I want my career to go. Is it possible to do this? How much experience on average does one need to have before a hospital will hire them?

What did you do to get your first hospital job?

Thank you all for your advice!

[llg, PhD, RN]

My hospital (a children's hospital) hires new CNA's all the time. We have very high turnover in that position because we hire so many students who look at the position as a stepping stone to health care careers -- lots of nursing students in particular.

I would recommend volunteering at the hospital of your choice and using that as a networking opportunity. Let them see what a good worker you are and how interested you are in their patients. Then apply and see what happens.

[Lexi256]

Hello, thank you for the reply! I am thinking about volunteering at a hospital as soon as possible. I also thought it might be a good idea to find an opportunity where I can shadow a nurse.

I guess a children's hospital would be hard for people who are new to the hospital setting. Perhaps they have a hard time when children don't survive operations? I guess that's also part of the experience.