Experience to Work in a Hospital as a CNA

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Specializes in CNA.

Title says it all, I really want to end up working at a hospital but I think I’m lacking experience. How much experience would I need in order to get a position in a hospital setting? 

0 Votes
Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.

Many CNAs’ first jobs are in hospitals. Call up a few in your area and ask when they’re hiring, and I’ll bet you’ll find a position quickly. 

1 Votes

I’ve been a CNA for 18 years and a lot hospital do not hire CNA they rather hire PCA, nursing home will be easier to get into then a hospital. I do currently work in a hospital in NYC, but there are very few hospitals in NY that hire CNA and the one that do want you to have experience. You would need at least a year of experience in a nursing home.

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I earned my CNA certificate in 2019, but I got my first job as a CNA in a hospital last month. I made sure to have a solid cover letter and resume. I applied to about 10 different hospitals. Only one reached out but that's all it takes!

Practice interviewing confidently and have reasons for why your lack of experience can actually be a positive thing for the hospital. 

2 Votes

Yeah it takes a while if you don’t have experience but I’ve worked in a hospital for 10 years but prior to that it wasn’t easy to get into a hospital and now I have one year left for my BSN so being in a hospital does have its benefit if you want to grow and become a nurse.

1 Votes
11 hours ago, Channie512 said:

I’ve been a CNA for 18 years and a lot hospital do not hire CNA they rather hire PCA, nursing home will be easier to get into then a hospital. I do currently work in a hospital in NYC, but there are very few hospitals in NY that hire CNA and the one that do want you to have experience. You would need at least a year of experience in a nursing home.

I should clarify, it did not take me two years to get the job. I applied for about a month or two this year when I got the interview. I'm just trying to illustrate that it is possible to get a CNA job in a hospital with no previous experience, and I wasn't even technically considered a new grad anymore.

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Specializes in CNA.

Thank you everyone for the advice and help.

 I did get in at a nursing facility and I am looking forward to starting. The company that owns the ALF also owns two hospitals so my plan is to stay at the ALF for a year and then apply to both hospitals provided they are hiring. 

1 Votes
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