How long did it take you to find a CNA job?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I'm going to be starting a CNA program next month and I was just curious how long It took you to find a CNA job after you completed the program and passed the state exam. Any tips for finding a job? I'm really determined to get a job in the medical field as soon as I complete the program. Thanks for all posts!

Hi there,

It will depend some on your area, but I was able to find work right away and was hired at the first place I applied.

My best advice is: If your CNA instructor talks positively about any people/facilities - PAY ATTENTION. Write their names down and start there. Networking is good :)

Specializes in Peds training.

I got hired before i even finished my cna classes by a nursing home and a home health agency. In North Carolina you can begin work as long as you are within 90 days of completeing your state boards.

My nursing program let me challenge the CNA exam, it wasn't through a CNA program or agency though; it took me 3 months. I just kept trying.

Good luck

I'm going to be starting a CNA program next month and I was just curious how long It took you to find a CNA job after you completed the program and passed the state exam. Any tips for finding a job? I'm really determined to get a job in the medical field as soon as I complete the program. Thanks for all posts!

I got mine in August. Started looking a couple weeks ago. Will know by Tuesday if one place is going to offer me a job and getting ready to see about a second LTC a second interview and then they decide.

Specializes in hospice.

It took me three months after I finished my course to get hired. Most places didn't want to touch me until my certification came through, and it took me two more months after that. I applied EVERYWHERE except LTCs with the worst ratings, and my first job was in a hospital telemetry unit. I worked there for 7 months before moving on to a hospice job. Have been with the hospice company for two months and like it a whole lot better.

I'm still looking and I graduated in May and got my license (FL) in June. Still haven't got work yet but I have a interview as a PCT in the OR on Monday.

As a follow up, i had my interview today and it went really well. Had to put on a jump suit and hair cover for a tour of the OR. This position is for a PCT in the OR. The interviewer was very excited and seemed glad that I was there to interview. Met with the OR director and she seemed pleased with my qualifications and the fact that i want to learn (mentioned something about getting me into scrub tech classes) I have an Admin interview on Wed and then I think I'm going to be offered the position. It takes a lot of applying and in person follow-up to get in sometimes. I figured out early during my clinicals that I wasn't cut out for LTC or ALC and focused on the hospitals in my area. Apply for everything and re-apply when you see the position posted again. You have to go after it. I reverted to my old school ways of looking for work and it seemed to work for me.

Finished my class in August but it took till about the middle of September to get my official license then I got a few calls back and got hired on the spot at Life Care Center last week and I have my orientation tomorrow actually.

I finished in August but I wish I would have applied sooner but I think it depends on your area and how many positions are open. I have actively started looking a few weeks ago and I think I'm getting closer to a position I want. I did get offered a position already in home health but I felt that it wasnt enough work for me because I want to eventually be an RN and would like a lot more experience as a cna than what I thought I would have gotten.

I didn't even need to apply or interview. I was already working at a nursing home when I took my CNA class, and I just talked to the ADON and filled out a paper to send to HR and that was that.

Good luck!

I got my CNA license in August (in Wisconsin, you have to have your license before you can start working) and applied in October since my schedule got lighter and I wanted to work during winter break of college. I applied to online ads on the local job website and I got a job at a home health care agency! It's basically driving to a client's home and taking care of them. I'm PRN right now as they try to find clients that fit my schedule (weekends) that aren't covered.

Good luck! :D

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