How flexible are they with a CNA's work availability?

Thank you for your reply! I do not feel like I can tell any employer what hours need to be accommodated. Whatever they need needs to be filled but I wanted to know if it's possible with this CNA position to have a Mon-Fri job because if it's not, I won't start the program. That's what I'm trying to figure out.

I am sure you are right but everybody's situation is different. My son is already 8 years old so he is at school. I have availability from 7 am to 5.30 pm just like most people so it's not like I'm picky. I have done min. wage jobs from retail to food service. We have moved 7 times in 10 years and it takes time to form new friendships because you can't trust a stranger with kids. We moved here just a few months ago and we live almost an hour away from the base so I have no contact with his command. The base we got assigned to this time is not in a good area and we thought it would be better for everyone to live in a different setting. I have had tons of job interviews and 98% of the places would have hired me if I could work on weekends, Sundays especially. I had to turn down 2 jobs today because the hours were till 7 pm. I don't know how others do it but I am not aware of any child care facility providing services on Sundays or after 6 pm and when your husband is away for 9 months, no "friend" will care to watch your kids almost every single weekend. Getting a sitter for a job that pays $8-9/hr is not really worth it either.

Some other branches like the Air Force or the Navy keep people at the same place for multiple years and/or around bigger cities with better job opportunities. I personally don't see that a lot of spouses would have full-time jobs. We volunteer a lot and many spouses with good jobs either have no kids or they have relatives living in the area helping them. It feels like a catch 22 to me.

Thank you for your reply! I do not feel like I can tell any employer what hours need to be accommodated. Whatever they need needs to be filled but I wanted to know if it's possible with this CNA position to have a Mon-Fri job because if it's not, I won't start the program. That's what I'm trying to figure out.

I am sure you are right but everybody's situation is different. My son is already 8 years old so he is at school. I have availability from 7 am to 5.30 pm just like most people so it's not like I'm picky. I have done min. wage jobs from retail to food service. We have moved 7 times in 10 years and it takes time to form new friendships because you can't trust a stranger with kids. We moved here just a few months ago and we live almost an hour away from the base so I have no contact with his command. The base we got assigned to this time is not in a good area and we thought it would be better for everyone to live in a different setting. I have had tons of job interviews and 98% of the places would have hired me if I could work on weekends, Sundays especially. I had to turn down 2 jobs today because the hours were till 7 pm. I don't know how others do it but I am not aware of any child care facility providing services on Sundays or after 6 pm and when your husband is away for 9 months, no "friend" will care to watch your kids almost every single weekend. Getting a sitter for a job that pays $8-9/hr is not really worth it either.

Some other branches like the Air Force or the Navy keep people at the same place for multiple years and/or around bigger cities with better job opportunities. I personally don't see that a lot of spouses would have full-time jobs. We volunteer a lot and many spouses with good jobs either have no kids or they have relatives living in the area helping them. It feels like a catch 22 to me.

Since you mentioned only having availability from 7-5:30 through the week, there are places that have shift start times of 7am-3pm or a 6am-2pm. A lot of LTCs I know of are staffed on 8hr increments. You can do PT, FT, or PRN depending on what the requested need is. As far as experience is concerned, some places will hire regardless of experience or not, although it is preferred, but not a must. Lastly, as one other PP mentioned, there are very few places, if any, that will let you pick and choose your hours at free will. Best of luck to you!

Have you explored the possibility of becoming a Home Care Aide? The actual work is the same as a CNA, but since home care is a completely different environment, the work is arranged differently. You're more likely to be able to arrange a work schedule that fits your needs. The down side? The work is done in the client's home rather than a more highly controlled inpatient setting.