CNA vs. Nurse: Too saturated or huge need?

[Beldar_the_Cenobite]

Hi all,

So I've been pondering around looking for jobs, and I have almost a year of experience as a CNA. About close to 10 months come June 25th. Does anyone know if hospitals require experience or if some require it for CNA? No exp? 6 mo? 1 year? 2 years? Also, can HR be cynical when it comes to new applicants sending in an application? Anybody who has ever worked in HR field have experience with that? I've applied for jobs before on websites (that's the only way) and within about an hour or two, I get the delightful "U N F O R T U N A T E L Y, W E ' V E M O V E D F O R W A R D W I T H O T H E R C A N D I D A T E S", yet the listing is still posted.

I've heard from talking to other nurses and CNAs that RNs have a harder time getting a job than CNAs, but I see more RN opportunities than CNA. And it makes sense too because RN is more specialized, than CNA which is more simple. I would like to work for a hospital rather than a SNF.

I'm also former military, lost some emails from people on here about what it's like working for the VA which I just applied to one position for nursing assistant, but while I'm on the website to apply for government work, I would also like to apply for jobs where I have a better chance of getting my foot in the door. Is there anything besides knowing somebody that I could utilize that could help me get into somewhere that is better than where I work. I'm grateful to have a job, but at the same time I'd like to look forward to other opportunities. Thanks.

[Tacocat, ADN, RN]

35 minutes ago, MotoMonkey said:

I would look for positions where you can mark "yes" to as many of the qualifying questions as possible. I would also look closely at the job descriptions, make sure that your resume and what your write highlights what they are looking for.

Exactly. Tailor your resume and cover letter to the job posting, even if it's tedious. Try and match your skills and experience with the requirements of the job; different positions might require you to highlight different aspects of your skills.

[Tacocat, ADN, RN]

Also @Beldar_the_Cenobite try networking? You had mentioned in a different post (thread?) that you were a nursing student. Sometimes facilities reach out to schools looking for students, and clinical instructors can be a good reference or referral source.

[Red Shirt 6, CNA]

Hospitals will give you however any training they do not have to pay for makes you more appealing. For example Phlebotomy.

Hospitals sometimes collect applications and resumes or keep a position posted to make things faster when they start hiring.

If a hospital job is really what you want then try volunteering until the next position opens.

[Beldar_the_Cenobite, CNA]

Update: so I quit where I work and got hired at another SNF that has direct deposit and apparently nice staff. I have a job interview tomorrow morning at the VA hospital because of my veteran preference, but I’m not sure if it will be for the memorial home or if it will be the actual hospital. I don’t even know if the main hospitals hire CNAs.

[Tacocat, ADN, RN]

@Beldar_the_Cenobite How have things been going for you?

[Beldar_the_Cenobite, CNA]

3 hours ago, WhaleTails said:

@Beldar_the_Cenobite How have things been going for you?

Pretty good. Just got accepted into nursing school this fall. ?

So, super excited. Hoping I can afford everything by the time school starts. Financial aid is no longer disbursed before school starts. It's a new thing schools are doing because people will get their money, not attend school and leave with that money and end up owing. So, basically what the school does now is they wait for teachers to show financial aid the student enrolled in their class has made activity or whatever, then Financial aid office disburses the student's money to them. It sucks because the SON doesn't care about how long it'll take you to get your money, program starts when it starts whether you're ready or not. I also just got hired at a new job and I need to call them from the date of this reply if I can work nothing but doubles so I can afford my stuff.

[morbidlycurious]

@Beldar_the_Cenobite

Hey Beldar, did you get your financial aid award letter already? I'm trying to figure out my financial aid stuff but can't seem to get any answers about anything.

Also, congratulations on getting into nursing school ?

[Beldar_the_Cenobite, CNA]

22 hours ago, morbidlycurious said:

@Beldar_the_Cenobite

Hey Beldar, did you get your financial aid award letter already? I'm trying to figure out my financial aid stuff but can't seem to get any answers about anything.

Also, congratulations on getting into nursing school ?

Hi, thank you.

For financial aid award letter, I think so, but not sure. If I were you I'd contact your financial aid office. When I want to find something like that that might be emailed, usually I check my email by looking in the search box and typing "financial aid award letter" or just use keywords like the name of your school. Works for me every time, unless your school doesn't believe in using computers.