Filling Out Applications

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I am a new CNA looking for work as well...I just have a quick question...When applying to places (SNF's, LTC's, etc..) what should I put for "previous job experience" on the application? I do have some caregiver experience that took place before & during my certification, but since it was under the table I kind of considered it "volunteer" work. Should I put that on my applications anyway?? Or just put the steady work that I did prior - admin, office work (which is unrelated, I know) Just seeking a clear answer because I will be filling out apps this week.

Thanks so much in advance! :cool:

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i'd just put paid, i doubt they ask for under the table employment, b/c it can run into tax law violations. they may ask for unpaid/volunteer work, if u've got some of that list it.

unlike lpn/rn employment for newbies (they're having hard times finding jobs), being a cna is a tough job with high turnover and low pay, u should be able to find a job as a cna, with no experience necessary.

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Thanks...So I should put my previous caregiving experience and just list it as volunteer then.(?) I agree it's better not to mention it being under the table for obvious reasons. Naturally, I doubt they would ask for under table stuff. But that's where I got my experience, (outside of CNA training) so I figured it's what I should put if I want to be considered, right?

Thanks so much for your input! :up:

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in the area of nc where i am, if you're a cna (even with no exp) u will find a job if u really want one, it is a tough job with low pay and mega turnover.

basically, they're looking for warm bodies that look the part. be sure to apply in person also.

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Specializes in LTC.

I worked under the table as a caregiver for a year, full time (actually more than full time). I still put it on my application. I wasn't gonna pretend I sat around unemployed all that time. I put the family members as references too. No one seemed to have a problem with it. I didn't flat out say "THAT WAS UNDER THE TABLE LOL!!11!1" and they didn't really ask. I just referred to it as private duty.

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Specializes in LTC.

I mean the places I worked before were a convenience store and a tiny office. Those jobs didn't really scream "team player" "efficient" "excellent time management" "hard worker" "has common sense" or anything else that a nursing home wants. And actually taking care of one person is waaaay different than taking care of 10. But at least it had some relevance.

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@ fuzzywuzzy - Right, private duty/client. That's what I actually have on my CNA resume too. And they only will call to verify you & your services anyway right? Not like they want to know if/what you were paid. At least I would hope not. - Thanks for your reply!

@ ItsTheDude - Yes, it's low pay w/ high turnover - gotcha ;) But in order to thrive, your heart must be in it too. The pay's actually not so bad in CA. Depending on the area and especially if you have private clients. Not gonna be a CNA forever though, so I'm not too worried about it.- Thanks a lot!

:D

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They will be more interested in your caregiving experience than the other and won't be asking you if it was under the table. You certainly do not have to mention that. Good luck.

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I worked under the table as a caregiver for a year, full time (actually more than full time). I still put it on my application. I wasn't gonna pretend I sat around unemployed all that time. I put the family members as references too. No one seemed to have a problem with it. I didn't flat out say "THAT WAS UNDER THE TABLE LOL!!11!1" and they didn't really ask. I just referred to it as private duty.

FuzzyWuzzy ~ So did you end up putting what you really made in the "start pay/final pay" portion of the application? I'd like to put what I was acually paid so that maybe they will start me out closer to that range. Or will that even matter? Isn't that why they ask for that info? Will it make a differnce in what they decide to start paying me?

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Specializes in LTC.

I guess it depends on what you were paid and how much you want to get paid now.

My private duty job gave me $10/hour, and my current job started me at $13. I actually made more money at the first job because I wasn't paying any taxes and I worked 50-60 hours a week (there is NO WAY I would work that many hours now).

I'm not sure but I think they pretty much pay you as much as the next person they hire in the same time frame. But then again no one flat out says how much they make where I work, and I've caught some pieces of info that make me think it's not that way.

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