How to get in?

My first job as a CNA was in a hospital on a telemetry unit. I probably could have found a job sooner if I would have applied at LTC facilities, but I really wanted hospital experience. I applied at the beginning of my CNA course and called human resources at least once per week while I was completing the CNA course. I finally got a shoe in when I got names of managers on specific units that needed CNA's for the shifts I wanted to work. I then called those managers and explained that I was very interested in a position in their unit and that my application was on file in human resources. That got me an interview within the week! I've heard from aides I worked with there and aides from other hospitals in the area that it took several months to get a call back.

I also started out as a tech in the hospital. I started out on a telemetry/med-surg floor, but after 16 months I transferred to peds. I had no trouble getting hired right into a hospital, I honestly prefer it over the prospect of working in a nursing home. I would apply for any NA jobs you see that interest you, even if they say they want experience, the worst thing that going to happen is they'll say no. If your in nursing school, sometimes I see clinical experience counted for "experience" in getting a NA job, so that could help you get into an area like OB or PEDS. Good luck!

I never worked as a CNA, but at my hospital the nurses on Peds don't have CNAs to utilize. I dont know about L&D, but we've had mother-baby CNAs get floated to my unit.

Ill be starting as an NA (an uncertified CNA) on a mother-infant unit in a month.. so perhaps it depends on where you are from but, I dont believe CNAs always get "stuck" in geri