Do not bother with CNA programs unless you have experience in the field.

I had no problem finding a job. Got 3 offers actually, one before I finished my class. Maybe it's just your area, but I don't think it's a bad idea for people to take a CNA class. I'm sure you will find a job eventually.

I agree it depends where you live. My rn program required a cna license. I took my class n test for $400 total. I put out lots of apps but none bit back for about 8 months. Cali sounds like it sucks trying to break into the medical field. I seem to read that new grads in both cali and nyc are having tougher times finding jobs in all aspects of nursing from cna to bsn

I followed up with a care giver agency that I applied for a few days ago, and the hiring manager told me he could not hire me due to my lack of experience. The CNA and BLS cards are going in the trash. The job only paid 8.25 an hour. How in the heck can someone be denied a job for minimum wage that doesn't even require CNA ??? If I knew of a LVN school that would count my CNA towards an LVN program, I wouldn't have consiered it a waste. The CNA cert isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

Is your position called officially called a patient observer? I'm just asking so I can do a job search in the Los Angeles, and Orange county area.

Yes, it's called "Patient Observer" where I work, which is in FL. Another formal name I heard is "Patient Companion." The informal name for this position is called "sitter," which everyone in the hospital calls it lol. I pretty much sit with the patients, it could be for medical reasons, like if the patient keeps getting up and they're a fall risk. It's pretty easy. Sometimes I do some CNA work, like take vitals, feed the patient, or assist the patient if the nurse asks me to. I have learned so much by just sitting, like the different types of medications; Keppra for seizures. I love it!

There aren't any patient observer jobs close to my area.Thanks for the help. I gave up on becoming a CNA , and I am considering the $1000 I spent as a total loss.

My husband had to challenge the hiring manager - he pushed and pushed because he had zero experience as well. You may have zero experience as a 'CNA' but you do have experience in spending time with people, communicating with them etc...you have to sell yourself to the agency, as with any job. Also, the community college by us here in FL does count your CNA toward you LPN or RN program. Plus you get bumped to the top of the wait list if you are a CNA, LPN or EMT.

Try home care.

My husband had to challenge the hiring manager - he pushed and pushed because he had zero experience as well. You may have zero experience as a 'CNA' but you do have experience in spending time with people, communicating with them etc...you have to sell yourself to the agency, as with any job. Also, the community college by us here in FL does count your CNA toward you LPN or RN program. Plus you get bumped to the top of the wait list if you are a CNA, LPN or EMT.

The community colleges in California don't count CNA as anything. I would have to start from scratch.

My rant is about how screwed up California is.

In California, I need one years experience as a CNA in order to do home care.

I think it's your area. The bay area is extremely impacted when it comes to heath care in general, but some places are willing to hire new grads. Have you asked your CNA program if they offer job placement assistance? I would also try volunteering and applying everywhere, including places you wouldn't want to work at.

I took my CNA course last year at my nursing school and paid $500. I was hired at a LTC facility, worked there 3 months, and recently got hired at a children's hospital. Pay is very low, but I'm working for the experience right now so the low pay is a non-issue.

I think it's your area. The bay area is extremely impacted when it comes to heath care in general, but some places are willing to hire new grads. Have you asked your CNA program if they offer job placement assistance? I would also try volunteering and applying everywhere, including places you wouldn't want to work at.

I don't have the gas money to volunteer at places. I've applied at places that pay minimum wage, and I got denied due to my lack of experience. I'm going another route, and I will build up some spare cash so I can get into an RN program late next year. I can't apply until January. I'll take my prerequisites while I am working, so by the time they get down to my name on the waiting list, I'll be ready to start.

I'm glad the jobs I am going to do are temp jobs in IT maintenance, so when I quit, it would look bad on job application when I do become an RN. I also found out that nursing facilities and hospitals will hire a nursing student to do CNA work rather than someone who isn't in nursing school.

Thanks for the advice, but I don't have money to put gas in my vehicle to volunteer. That money goes towards bills, rent, food, and etc.

It's also not guaranteed that a facility would hire me if I volunteered. It also wouldn't count towards renewing my CNA.

I already stated several times that it is my area, and it's not economically viable for me to relocate to an area that hiring new CNAs for minimum wage, when I can get a job that isn't in that field that pays at least $18 dollars an hour. I would be more than happy to take a pay cut if it that pay cut was going to count towards something.