frustrated

Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 5, 2009

I have been trying at the hospital here but can't seem to get a freakin' call back! I've been in for 2 interviews on the same floor. Not sure what's going on.

Yesterday I went to an agency that had advertised in the paper for $13/hour. CNAs at the hospital start at 9.25. I figured I will do agency work (if they take me with no experience-they acted like it was no problem) until I can land a permanent position. Better money plus I won't be forgetting my skills.

I'm talking to myself now, but with an agency I guess I could take off when I need to when I start my LPN classes without the hassle of scheduling conflicts.

Well, you made me think a little more about what I'm doing and hopefully I gave you an idea! LOL! Good luck with it!

Dondie

Girl Scout · Jun 5, 2009

Just keep trying, and expand your search parameters. Remember we're in the middle of a gigantic recession and although healthcare is one of the few fields that's actually growing (despite its layoffs), you still might have to really not be very picky to get started.

I've been psyching myself up to find work... I will graduate soon and I'm making a list of where all to apply. It includes medical temp agencies, the federal government, the military (Army civilian employee), facilities near me and facilities with an hour's drive. And more. But being flexible right now is very important - it would suck to have to drive 2 hrs. a day to work, but it would be a job, which I'll need soon. And plus, it wouldn't be forever. The immediate objective is just to get your foot in the door somewhere.

I wish you lots of luck... just hang in there, and look high and low. Somebody out there has a job for you, and me!

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Jun 5, 2009

So get a job in a nursing home. You don't have to work there forever. Most places want you to have nursing home experience before they'll consider you. They get a lot of applicants and they'll pick someone who's worked in a nursing home before they pick someone who has zero experience. Are you unemployed right now, or just working another job outside of the field? Not having a job for 4 months doesn't look good.

Misslady113 · Jun 5, 2009

Sometimes you have to start at the bottom to work your way to the top. Right now you are a new CNA. In my area hospitals require 6 months to 1 year of experience to be able to consider getting hired. I dont particularly want to work in a nursing home, but I'm willing to take what I can get, as long as the nursing home is not a place where I will be jepardizing my certification. The more you have on your resume, the more marketable you will become. If you get an awesome CNA job, then that will be wonderful. But if you can't, don't just sit around and wait for it to fall into your hands. Do what you can and just see it as temporary and know that your dream position is coming. Work hard and it will pay off. Sit around and life will pass you by. Good luck to you.:redpinkhe

CNAMichelle · Jun 7, 2009

thanks for all of the replies,I do not think I am physically capabale of working in an NH full time,so I do have limited choices,the hospital and nursing home here are "partners" so if I take a ft position at the nh and then cant handle it,that will ruin my chances of ever getting on at the hospital.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Jun 7, 2009

What do you mean by not physically capable? Do you think you're not strong enough? There are some really small CNAs that do just fine. I was concerned because before i took the class the description said we'd have to be able to lift at least 75 lbs, and I'm sure if you told me to pick up a 75 lb barbell off the floor I wouldn't have been able to do it (and probably still couldn't). But in practice I can roll someone who weighs 300 lbs over in bed to change them by myself.

GCTMT · Jun 7, 2009

I'm in the same boat. I've been registered since March and still no employment. I've applied to four different hospitals. So, last week I decided that I just have to bite the bullet and apply at LTC's. I applied to four of them and fuzzywuzzy is right, it's not forever, but atleast it will help out financially and get a little experience under my belt. I figure, that if I get a job at an LTC, I will continue to look for a hospital job while attending Nursing school, and hope something comes along.

Good luck to all CNA's looking for employment.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2009

I was in the same boat as you a month ago so I know how it feels. Like the others have mentioned, look at agencies, or also you could see if your area has any group homes for the mentally handicapped. One of the ladies at my job told me that she works as a private duty aide for the county's Department of Aging, so that's also something to consider. Craigslist has a lot of medical jobs listed on there as well so check there too! Don't be too down..I got my 90 day temporary CNA license in March and applied at 10 places(maybe more, I lost count!) before I finally got a job at an ALF for dementia & alzheimers disease residents in May(which was also the time I finally got my permanent license from the BON). Good luck & don't give up, there's a job out there for you :)

GCTMT · Jun 8, 2009

Do you folks think it's better to call and reiterate interest in a position, or to show up in person to reiterate interest?

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2009

Do you folks think it's better to call and reiterate interest in a position, or to show up in person to reiterate interest?

When I was looking, I'd call & see if they were still accepting positions. Then I'd go in & apply ( I really don't like online apps, I don't think a lot of employers really look @ their computers to check them, but that's jmho). A couple of times when I'd go in & fill out an application, I got on the spot interviews.So I say, its best to go in & apply b/c I think it makes a better impression :)

Girl Scout · Jun 9, 2009

If you've already applied in person, then yes, it's better to call and reiterate interest and remind them that you put your app in. This has always worked for me in the past with other careers.

In this day and age, though, if you just apply online, still, call them after about 2 days and tell them you applied online and would like to know the status of your application. Also something I've done in other careers, and most all the time they are happy to tell you whether they received your app and if they'll be conducting interviews at certain dates.