How do you get a job as a CNA when you have no experience?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Aloha all, I just recently became certified and am having trouble finding a job because I have no experience. Does anyone have any advice or stories to tell about how they got their first CNA job?

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Nursing homes tend to have high turnover rates, so they often hire new CNAs. Hospitals are a lot harder to get into.

I'd advise you to apply at every nursing home in your area, then after a couple of days, call each one and ask to speak to the Director of Nursing. Tell her you are calling to check on the status of your application - it shows initiative and that you are really interested in getting the job. Even if they have no positions available at that moment, it'll make them more likely to think of you when they do have an opening.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.

i was going to ask the same question...i was hoping to get into a hospital but i guess nursing homes it is! lol

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Thats a really good question!

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Also, don't just send in your resume or apply online - go in and fill out an actual application. Usually, they'll interview you on the spot if they're hiring. That's how I got my job at a nursing home and I don't have any experience. Good luck!

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I just passed my state exam as well. I've been told that if I start working in a nursing home that I will get blocked in and won't be able to get into a hosptial. I was told a story where a guy that worked for 20-something years and wasn't accepted into hosptial work, due to his "lack of expirence".

Does anyone know about this?

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Specializes in nurses assistant way back when....

I'd definitely apply at each and every nursing home in your city, go in and fill out applications. It's very time consuming but something might come up and try to meet with the DON or ADON there.

I don't know about being locked in LTC but you definitely should take a job where you can get it, but ALWAYS keep your EYES OPEN!!

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CNAs are being let go at my local hospital. The per diem ones were axed off.

On the other hand, I know some nursing homes near orange county that are looking for fresh CNAs, meaning fresh legs and backs to help the slacking nurses who watch the cnas do all the work.

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Specializes in CNA.
Aloha all, I just recently became certified and am having trouble finding a job because I have no experience. Does anyone have any advice or stories to tell about how they got their first CNA job?

Agree with other commenters: Nursing home. Many hire anything with a pulse and I'm not sure about that with some of them.

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I'm in the same position as you.

I just volunteered at my local hospital as a nurse assistant. You just make unoccupied beds, feed some residents, hand mail out, sort papers etc. I'll be working in the oncology unit which excites me. They know I'm enrolled in an CNA program so I'm hoping to get my foot in the door there.

Maybe you could work at a nursing home and then volunteer at the hospital you want to work at. This way you could get a feel for the hospital environment as well. You may witness some things there that you may not like (poor management, bad patient/nurse ratio, lazy workers ect) and this way you didn't waste all that time fighting to get in only to want to run back out.

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I just passed my state exam as well. I've been told that if I start working in a nursing home that I will get blocked in and won't be able to get into a hosptial. I was told a story where a guy that worked for 20-something years and wasn't accepted into hosptial work, due to his "lack of expirence".

Does anyone know about this?

I've never heard of LTC work being an impediment to gaining hospital employment. If a CNA in LTC finds he or she can't get hired at a hospital, then they ought to go to their community college and take classes in EKG and Phlebotomy. Upgrade your skills and you'll be more marketable.

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Specializes in LTC.
I just passed my state exam as well. I've been told that if I start working in a nursing home that I will get blocked in and won't be able to get into a hosptial. I was told a story where a guy that worked for 20-something years and wasn't accepted into hosptial work, due to his "lack of expirence".

Does anyone know about this?

That's BS.

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