This thread is for those of us who are enrolled in a CNA course right now, and/OR will be certified between March and April. Here is where we rant, network, and/or brag about the way our course (s) are going, our experiences finding a job after our course/internship is completed, and what our plans are for the future (Nursing school, etc.).
We started this topic in another thread, lets keep this going! :heartbeat
Here is a little YouTube humor for all of us potential CNA's. A typical day in the life of a Certified Nursing Assistant:
Are you planning on taking the phlebotomy course for a PCT position??
Yea, most want EKG and Phlebotomy experience. My school only offers a 2 quarter sequence for phlebotomy (to be certified as a tech) so it'll take a while. The EKG class is 6 credit hours.
I was going to do the PCT upgrade, but some facilities give you the PCT training for free.
All the ones in my area do, but they won't hire you without previous experience. I have applied to over 50 jobs at three different hospitals for a PCA and none will hire me even though I have completed a nurse aid course (only requirement) and I have a lot of shadowing and volunteer experience. I even have employe referrals at two of the hospitals! So, I am going for the PCT in hopes it will help me get a job.
If every single job requires patient care experience, how do we get a job to get that experience?!
All the ones in my area do, but they won't hire you without previous experience. I have applied to over 50 jobs at three different hospitals for a PCA and none will hire me even though I have completed a nurse aid course (only requirement) and I have a lot of shadowing and volunteer experience. I even have employe referrals at two of the hospitals! So, I am going for the PCT in hopes it will help me get a job.
If every single job requires patient care experience, how do we get a job to get that experience?!
I guess by starting out in a nursing home. I called some but they won't even let me fill out an application until I get my GNA license. And I'm not scheduled to do that until April 4th But until then I'll keep studying for the test. My school is offering a prep class for 3 days so I'm going to take that.
Is there a thread for CNA's graduating in May-June?
Thanks guys/gals.
No, but I figured we'd start another one in May. I won't be finished my course until late June early July but I still post here. If you aren't graduating until a later time, it's ok, you can post here too. :wink2:
I was going to do the PCT upgrade, but some facilities give you the PCT training for free.
My sister in law is a PCT in a city hospital in the Bronx.. She advised me to take the PCT course (which is why Im doing the required CNA first)because most hospitals don't train unless you already have some sort of hospital experience
I just got my certificate of successful completion from my nurse aid class! I got an A in the class, so I'm really excited.
The STNA exam costs almost $100 here, so I won't be taking it. It isn't required the start the Accelerated BSN program in August and I don't have an extra $100 laying around - I can barely pay rent!
Oh and most facilities will get you PCA/PCT training free. However, they won't hire you without some experience. Another idea is to get any job in a hospital and do an internal transfer. A coworker of mine completed a nurse aide course and couldn't get hired as a PCA (lack of experience) so she worked for a month as a secretary in the ED. She applied for an internal transfer as a PCA and got hired instantly.
I'm planning on doing the same thing. I have job offers to be a unit coordinator at one hospital and a patient companion at another hospital without having taken the STNA exam and without any experience. They said it will be really easy for me to transfer into a PCA position, so that is what I plan to do. Much cheaper and quicker than the $100 exam plus another course!
I finished my coursework Friday and will be starting clinical rotation this Thursday. I have a preliminary interview today with a long term care facility for 11pm-7am position. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I keep telling myself to breathe. :)
I finished my coursework Friday and will be starting clinical rotation this Thursday. I have a preliminary interview today with a long term care facility for 11pm-7am position. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I keep telling myself to breathe. :)
Congrats!!!! I just received an email from a home health agency asking to call to schedule an interview. Idk if I'm 100% sure about doing home health:(
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But until then I'll keep studying for the test. My school is offering a prep class for 3 days so I'm going to take that.
foreverLaur
1,319 Posts
Yea, most want EKG and Phlebotomy experience. My school only offers a 2 quarter sequence for phlebotomy (to be certified as a tech) so it'll take a while. The EKG class is 6 credit hours.