On 11/29/2012 I failed out of clinical ending my hopes of becoming a CNA in a timely manner by 2013.
I think this may have been my final chance at getting out of my mom's house with a job that actually leads to a living wage. I suppose that this pales in comparison to the pain I'm feeling inside right now as my own mother has excommunicated me.
Let me say that the experience that I gained while in class, though fascinating, will prove to be useless and I'm out almost a grand for failed training, equipment, and books.
I was always under the impression that the capacity of a student was to learn a trade under the direct supervision of an instructor or a full-fledged CNA, but I was wrong. I know now that by being alive in the same room as an elderly person that I should consider the resident in imminent jeopardy. No matter what I did (or tried to undo), my instructor would write me up and say that I put the person at risk of serious injury.
Rather than try to fight it, I'm just going to have to try to man up and get another dead end job. Maybe I'll be able to fallback on my bachelor's in mass communications or the certification in pharmacy tech.
For those of you who are thinking of nursing in any capacity especially CNA there's some things to be aware of:
1. You will be in contact with bodily fluids including urine and feces
2. Incompetence in any form will not be tolerated
3. During clinical experiences you may or may not be directly supervised
4. The end of your painful experience will yield you an even more stressful job
5. Anyone can fail out
Sorry to be such a downer. It's kinda hard to stay optimistic after a major failure. My advice is not meant to discourage anyone who wishes to be a CNA. I urge those who are interested in being a CNA to do research before you begin taking classes.
http://www.bls.gov (this is the website for the government's bureau of labor statistics website. If you search under cna it will give you a brief description of what to expect from a career path, avg salary, etc)
CNA upgrades to LPN upgrades to RN
Good luck to all the successful CNAs out there and those who decide to become CNAs.
I also feel like a failure because even though I made it through training and even passed the state certification test, I never got a job. I job hunted every single day and went on interviews at different hospitals but nobody would hire me due to lack of experience. (?)
I don't even want to continue finding a CNA job because the only openings around the small town that I live in are in nursing homes and with home health agencies.
So you are confused because no hospitals would hire you due to lack of experience, but then refuse to gain experience by working in LTC, choosing instead to work at a gas station?
Im not trying to be a life coach, but that makes no sense to me.
Welp.....I'll tell you what makes no sense to me...why would a hospital or any place for that matter look at my resume and see that it clearly states I have no experience and that I am fresh out of the program and then go to all the trouble of setting up an interview with me like they are going to hire me and then saying "Well we are looking for someone with more experience." I did cave in and apply to LTCs and ALFs and even Home Health Agencies and they all did the same thing. I'll tell you what else makes no sense to me, the lies they tell you in the CNA program like "This is a very rewarding job" and "You will be able to find a job anywhere, lots of places need CNAs and will hire you." I took the job at the gas station while I was still job hunting for a CNA position because I couldn't find one soon enough to pay my bills. Being a CNA was never my dream anyway I was on the waiting list to get into the RN program at my school and figured the CNA program would be a great way to raise my GPA and get some hands on experience. Honestly, after going though clinicals at the nursing home we went to, I would rather work at a gas station for the same amount of pay then work at one of those places. I don't know if they are all like that but every CNA in that place hated their job and were quick to tell all of us to stay in school. Also, I personally just do not want to work in a nursing home because of reasons. I do have that freedom to choose where I work.
I got my job with no CNA training. I was an EMT and wanted to get into more clinical. I can't deal with the driving like a bat Outta you know where in inclement weather with a human in the back. What can be done t correct those mistakes? Would you need to start over entirely? Can you volunteer in a hospital or other facility to get your foot in the door? I'm sorry you are so upset. I would be too in your shoes.
Welp.....I'll tell you what makes no sense to me...why would a hospital or any place for that matter look at my resume and see that it clearly states I have no experience and that I am fresh out of the program and then go to all the trouble of setting up an interview with me like they are going to hire me and then saying "Well we are looking for someone with more experience." I did cave in and apply to LTCs and ALFs and even Home Health Agencies and they all did the same thing. I'll tell you what else makes no sense to me, the lies they tell you in the CNA program like "This is a very rewarding job" and "You will be able to find a job anywhere, lots of places need CNAs and will hire you." I took the job at the gas station while I was still job hunting for a CNA position because I couldn't find one soon enough to pay my bills. Being a CNA was never my dream anyway I was on the waiting list to get into the RN program at my school and figured the CNA program would be a great way to raise my GPA and get some hands on experience. Honestly, after going though clinicals at the nursing home we went to, I would rather work at a gas station for the same amount of pay then work at one of those places. I don't know if they are all like that but every CNA in that place hated their job and were quick to tell all of us to stay in school. Also, I personally just do not want to work in a nursing home because of reasons. I do have that freedom to choose where I work.
That did also happen to me. I went as far as a 2nd interview for them not to hire me because of lack of experience. I was sooo disappointed because I really thought I had the job which I probably would have if I had the experience. Don't know why they wasted my time for a 2nd interview.
Could you just work in a nursing home just for 6 months and then try again for a hospital. That is my plan anyway, to get some experience.
Welp.....I'll tell you what makes no sense to me...why would a hospital or any place for that matter look at my resume and see that it clearly states I have no experience and that I am fresh out of the program and then go to all the trouble of setting up an interview with me like they are going to hire me and then saying "Well we are looking for someone with more experience."...
Plently of places will hire people fresh out of the programme. It is far easier to train somebody new to their standards than to undo all the bad habits of another place, and new grads are generally eager to learn things and do them the "right" way.
funtimes
446 Posts
So you are confused because no hospitals would hire you due to lack of experience, but then refuse to gain experience by working in LTC, choosing instead to work at a gas station?
Im not trying to be a life coach, but that makes no sense to me.