CNA questions

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So I am enrolled in the Red Cross CNA program they offer, I start on February 9th. I was curious if after you become a CNA are the only main job opportunities for Elderly Folks Homes, or are hospital jobs easily available too? Which one is better, do they pay about the same? I would actually much rather work in a hospital than an elderly folk home. Is it hard to get your employer to help with the costs of moving up to becoming an LPN? I heard some hospitals will pay for the LPN training and such, and it only takes one year instead of the usual two years. The catch being that after you become an LPN you contract to work for them for a certain period of time.

Thanks!

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Hospital jobs are really hard to get as a cna. They all want acute experience. My friend works in a hospital s a cna in sub acute BUT shes been there for 15 years.. Nursing homes are a lot easier to get into as a new grad and pay less than hospitals. Not all employers help pay. My job doesn't. And yes some hospitals will pay, but you sign a contract with them to work for like 2-3 years, but you also get paid less too.

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Thanks for the information! I wish it were easier to get into a hospital job, but maybe if I worked at a nursing home for a year or so then a hospital might be more inclined to hire me.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I was hired into a hospital with no prior CNA experience other than clinincal, if you want to work at a hospital apply like crazy to every hospital around you. It can be done!

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Oh that would be a dream come true! I live in kentucky due to the fact that my husband is stationed here at Fort Knox so it would be amazing if I could get hired at the hospital on post. Even better they help with the LPN pursuing education, and committing to the contract agreement for the LPN help from them would be cake since I will always be around a military post. I am so very excited about becoming a CNA and pursuing my plans on becoming a LPN and maybe one day being an RN. Anyone have the pros and cons of being a first time CNA working in a hospital?

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Whoops! Forgot to mention that I live in southern California! Very hard down here in Ventura and LA county to find jobs as a cna in hospitals. The eligibility is really high here!

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I like right out side of Fort Knox Kentucky, so who knows maybe, with any luck, it will be easier to get a CNA job in a hospital. =]

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You should definitely apply! That would be so cool to work in a hospital:)

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I know where I live, in upstate New York, some hospitals have LTC attached to the hospital so you work for the hospital itself. But there are also openings for medical assistants and they prefer you to have your CNA, but it is not a necessity. I plan on trying to apply for the Medical Assistant jobs which are float positions in the hospital, or CNA jobs themselves if they are available and then try to get my LPN.

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Woops, in my last comment, I meant to say the title they have the job for is Patient Care Associate. They have had 18 openings for that title from September 22-January 18. The job description is this

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[TD=class: form]Full time

[/TD]

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[TR]

[TD=class: formOffsetColor]Shift:[/TD]

[TD=class: form]Evenings[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: formOffsetColor]Hours:[/TD]

[TD=class: form]40 hrs/week, 8 hrs shifts, evenings[/TD]

[/TR]

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[TD=class: formOffsetColor]Grade:[/TD]

[TD=class: form]18[/TD]

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[TD=class: formOffsetColor]Job Details:[/TD]

[TD=class: form] The Patient Care Associate I (PCA) is a key member of the nursing care team and assists with direct and indirect patient care, provide basic nursing care, and support to patients and health care team members. Under the direction of the Registered Professional Nurse (RN), the PCA helps in providing interventions that are prescribed by the treatment plan. Shares accountability for quality patient outcomes.

Minimum Requirements:

Education/Qualifications:

- High school diploma or equivalent

Experience:

- Previous experience in a health-related position or as a Nursing Assistant preferred

Licensure/Certificates:

- Certified Nursing Assistant Certification preferred

Skills:

- Reading, writing, typing (at least 20 words per minute), and basic math skills required.

- Ability to communicate effectively with patients and staff.

- Ability to function as an active team member.

- Demonstrates competency in required skills relevant to area of practice.

Physical Requirements:

- Walking, standing, bending, and kneeling throughout the shift.

- Ability to lift and position patient is required.

- Moving of heavy, awkward equipment.

- Category I risk exposure as defined by OSHA.

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Well that sounds like something I would love to do. Hopefully when I finish my CNA schooling and get a job (hoping on a hospital job). Then from there if whomever hires me would let me do the LPN program in a year I would be so happy!!! Are nursing home and hospitals basically the only places CNA's are hired?

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Thankyou so much for the imformation! I Will start looking into that once I complete my CNA classes. Thankyou again.

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