Florida CNA's

[combkk]

I am considering going to school to become a CNA in September. :yeah:I was wondering if you can tell me how quickly you found a job, your starting pay and where you became a CNA first. I wanted to work in a hospital, but most job ads say you have to have a yr in a clinical setting.

Basically any advice-the good, the bad and the ugly!

Thanks!

[FLg8r]

i had ray too. he's a fantastic teacher! kept things interesting.

i have my test next saturday (8/22)...

good luck to you on your exam .... plz let us know how you do on it :hrnsmlys:

[Em CNA2RN]

Hi everyone, I passed my CNA test on 8/15. I just wanted to know if anyone has any idea howlong it takes to get your certification in the mail from the florida BON? I had all my info (fingerprints, background check) done weeks before my test . TIA

[ebphillips]

Prometric told me that they don't run the background check until after you pass the test... normal background checks (FBI Levels) take roughly a week... so I'd guess around that long.

[jaytori220]

and working in a hospital they want you with at 6 mos. experience not so much a year again depending on what hospital it is your trying to get into...but good luck with everything

Not always true...I am going to take the CNA class soon and I actually called the hospital that I want to get into. I asked HR if they require a certain amount of experience time before they will hire and she told me that they do not and they like seeing students fresh out of the class and certified and they like hireing them. But they pay just under $10 an hour and nights get you a differencial pay but I didnt ask what the pay was. Probably $1 more apprx. And I talked to a girl that is just out of CNA school and she applied at the same hospital the day after she got her certificate, got a call the next day, interveiw the week later, and started the week after that. So I think it depends on the hospital itself and what they are looking for.

[Ninja Nurse, ASN]

I went to Orlando Tech for my CNA, but not before FIRST becoming a VOLUNTEER at my local hospital. That's how I got my job. Getting to know the right people and showing my best abilities as a volunteer was the best thing I could've done.

[ebphillips]

Just as an update- I passed! Now on to finding a job.

[Em CNA2RN]

Congrats!!!!!

[tpanative]

After looking for quite some time I did get a job at a hospital in Tampa. I just happened to meet the nurse recruiter and had a conversation with her and when I passed my test got back in touch with her. She arranged an interview with the nurse leader on my floor. I am VERY grateful to have gotten into a hospital setting. i am definitely learning a lot and deciding if I will go on to nursing school.

The pay is sad -- about 9/hr if a true employee with benefits; I am PRN and get 10.50. I just took the hospitals nurse tech course and will get about a dollar more an hour after finishing my competencies and phlebotomy.

WOW which hospital? I passed the test on July 23rd and still haven't found a job. It's getting scary now...my unemployment ran out a week and a half ago and i'm starting to get scared (house payments, etc...).

[lele2be]

hi all!! I too went to FL med prep. I didn't pass my state exam the 1st time although I did the second :) yay! I too am struggling to find a job in healthcare..I would love to be in a hospital but I don't see that happening with the economy and all!!

*fl med prep has a 100% reimbursment if you dont pass your test the first time you can retake the class at no charge and if you still don't pass they will refund your money. the second time through really helped me as I'm a full time student and work part time

[tpanative]

So I went to Woodbridge in Tampa today. Asked about an application. The receptionist dragon denied me an application because I don't have a year experience in a nursing home. Now i'm really getting discouraged, and foreclosure looks more and more like a possibility!!

[Em CNA2RN]

I've been handing in applications everywhere I know of in my area and haven't heard anything either. Luckily I'm still employed, even though I absolutely hate my job (retail) Now they are cutting hours, went from working 35 to 20 hours a week if I'm lucky. Getting really frustrated really fast. There are just soooo many people applying for these positions. Hopefully things will turn around doris very soon.Can anybody tell me anything about Oak Hill Hospital in Hernando county ?? Work environment, length of shift (8 or 12hrs)- thinking of handing in an application, at this point what do I have to loose...

[FLNA]

You can try private duty. That is what I am doing for now. They don't pay squat, but at least you can be working in the industry as a CNA while looking for work in a clinical setting.