How does one get experience as a new cna when everybody requires experience?

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I have a little bit of experience, from volunteering to working as a PCA. However, as a cna I have none besides clinicals from nursing school and CNA clinical. I can not seem to find a job anywhere and it is fairly exhausting. Maybe its just Rhode Island jobs are slim? I would try out of state but it would involve getting a dual license and that costs money, what if I don't use it?

So, tips, and help. please and thank you.

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Have you spoken to people you went to class with? What are they doing?

In some cases, it may have to do with the fact that you're a nursing student and very likely to move on soon. Some places will hire nursing students as CNAs if they also need nurses and are hoping they'll stay on. In other cases, employers may wish to have less of a "revolving door" and hire someone who'll still be a CNA a few semesters from now.

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Maybe I should omit saying I'm a nursing student and say I'm a psych major or something? Or even omit saying college student...

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

Where are you looking for jobs? Hospital only or also in LTC? When I first started as a CNA all of the hospitals wanted experience. I started in an ALF and after working there for a while was able to move to a higher paying hospital position.

If you are a current nursing student it may also make sense to look for Student Nurse Tech positions, in many ways similar to a CNA position, but you are allowed to use some of your nursing skills you've learned in school with supervision of an RN.

I would not omit being in school, or even claim a different major. It's easy enough for an employer to find out and you don't want them to think you a dishonest person.

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I think I'll expand my search a bit more. Maybe I'm missing something & true... thanks!!

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Have you tried nursing homes desperate for staff?

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I ended up working as a home health aide to get experience. I know that here, we are DESPERATE for CNAs. Experienced or not. High turnover because many are in nursing school so we get 2 years tops for most.

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That's better than nothing though.

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