I can't get a job.

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Specializes in SDU, Tele.

Hi,

I got my CNA licence sometime last month. I know it doesn't seem like a long time for me to be complaining of having no job yet, but bills are piling up and I am getting really stressed. :(

I've applied to all kinds of hospitals & nursing homes. Dozens upon dozens of positions, and I keep getting those stupid automated rejection emails, lol.

I don't know what I am doing wrong. All the places to apply to require you make an online app. Despite this, should I just show up and take a paper resume/cover letter? Do they even want a cover letter? What do I say when I go? Who should I speak to?

How did YOU get your first CNA job??? And where??? Why did YOU stand out? Am I not getting hired because I challenged the CNA exam and didn't actually go to school for it? I've had my BLS for a while and am willing of going to get my EKG cert. I really don't know what else to do.... I even have nice references, not from nursing instructors obviously, but from medical technologists I know and other CNAs.

I took care of my uncle after having open heart surgery. I included that in my resume. I'd measure his urinary outputs and changed his linens in the hospital because the nurses and CNAs were running everywhere and I decided to pitch in his care. I know I could be a great CNA if someone only gave me the chance.

I'm so tired of feeling useless! I make really good grades & am entering nursing school this fall. Whaaaaat on earth do they want from me?! Experience!!!??? GIVE IT TO ME!!!!

*cries* thanks for hearing my rant =/

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Ok, calm down, I was in your shoes too. i challenged the test as well. I have been certified for about 5 or 6 months now, and I Just had my first interview last week, I repeat, last week. I did the fingerprints 3 days after that. The place where I applied at is an LTC, a long term care center. Try nursing homes and hospitals. Dont just apply once then never go there again. U gotta constantly go up and talk to the DON (director of nursing) if possible, try to get the direct extension of the DON and leave your name and number, or even have the receptionist take your name and number, not everyone is out here to stop the next person from getting a job. The Receptionist at the facility actually helped me get the interview. (Thank god for her!) Don't give up when they say they're not hiring or looking. They tell everybody that. Make them know who you are when you walk in there. I too applied everywhere within a 10 mile radius of my residence. Please dont give up, CNAs are hired and fired left and right. Some are getting hired at nursing homes, and leaving after about 6 months to a year because they have experience to work anywhere now. You'll find something. I was about to say f**k it too, but then i got a call the next day for an interview, I had a heart attack!!! There's something out there, you just have to be patient and remember that the economy is still kinda bad and that some companies are like 'I dont know if we're gonna spend x amount of dollars to hire someone new to this facility' Check craigslist constantly, as weird as it sounds, but there are actually some legit jobs out there. Not sure if theres a Granny Nannies where you're from, but they do hire CNAs with no experience. Good Luck!!!

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I was in your shoes just a month ago. I got my certification and it took me about 3 weeks to find a job, so I am a new CNA. Anyhow, I just mapped all the nursing homes in my area, because hospitals usually only accept online apps, and went in person to the nursing homes, filled out applications and pretty much harassed them until they would hire me. In the days we live in now, jobs just dont land in your lap anymore, you- must be a go getter and be determined to get hired. Thats how I was. I felt like it was taking me forever to get employement but ended up hired one month after my certification. If I can do it, you can too. I was hired at a popular nursing home that required experience and I had none. Most nursing homes don't care if you have experience or not. My goal is to work in a hospital as well but in order to get experience I am happy that I have my job at a nursing home, despite it being hell sometimes...anyways good luck.

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It took me a week after I was certified to find a job in a nursing home.At my first job I saw a ad in the paper that they were hiring and went in and filled out an application.That nursing home was desperate for aids and I got hired on the spot I did not even have a job interview.My second job 2 weeks later was a prn job I filled out an application and I went and talked to the person in charge of hiring and she told me she would pull my application and she did!I got a call later that evening for an interview.I got hired as prn.I got hired at my third nursing home job because my teacher was good friends with the don.I didnt take that job because I got hired full time at my prn job and I quit my first job because the working conditions were horrible!My advice to you is to go in person and talk to the person in charge of hiring and let her know how much you would like to work for their company and check on your application by calling or going in person.GOOD LUCK!!!!

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Specializes in SDU, Tele.

Guys thanks a lot. Your stories are really encouraging. :) I'm going to keep looking for homes near me and start preparing myself mentally for this! I'm kind of shy so the idea of walking in and talking to someone freaks me out.... but I am willing to do it. =) keep your stories coming!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

Well, no one can really tell you why you are not getting hired for sure, but....the economy is horrible right now!!! Yes, healthcare is always going to need people, but consider the fact that as warehouse workers and sales staff are laid off, they too know that healthcare needs people. And so, they become cna's. Hospitals, in order to save money, lay off and stops hiring cna's. Now you have all of the hospital cna's, ex-warehouse workers, and ex-sales staff trying to get the same jobs.

The only answer is to make yourself stand out!! Use the fact that you are going into nursing. Many places like cna's that are becoming nurses. Dress professionally. I know that seems like an obvious one, but you would be surprised at how many people do not think it is important. I know all about shyness, but you have to "go get the job." They are not coming to you. Call, write, and go by. Let them know that you really want the opportunity that working for them as a cna will provide. If you talk to someone, send them a thank you note. The person that takes your application at the desk wants to feel appreciated, too. Plus, he or she may be the one that tells the boss "that person should get an interview, they were so pleasant and well dressed, she even sent me a thank you note for taking the time to pass on her application to the manager!" And yes, administrative assistants can be the reason you do or do not get a job!!!

Good luck to you!!!

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Specializes in SDU, Tele.

Thank you for writing! I am feeling a lot less scared now lol. If you guys could get a job so could I! I'm so going by this week... going to buy some little thank you notes and all in case someone talks to me. what a nice idea. =)

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

I agree with everyone! When I first got certified 2 years ago, it was so difficult to find a job. It took me 2 months. I would suggest looking at assisted living facilities..that's the first place that gave me a job. Good luck & don't give up! Things will get better soon :)

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I think you shouldn't count on only applying facelessly online and expecting/wating for a call back. Be more proactive. Either call to speak to the hiring manager or better yet walk in and ask to speak to them in person. I did that (went in and filled out an application), then FOLLOWED UP- I had a job w/in 3 weeks of graduating from my training program. And this having no experience. FOLLOW UP FOLLOW UP FOLLOW UP. Be reasonably agressive. It will pay off.

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I began my CNA classes in December 2010. During my school, I was busy at home rewriting a good CNA resume. By the time my Boards rolled around in January, I was sending my application out and applying at various facilities. As it turned out, the first callback I received was the first facility I applied to, which was across the street from where I lived. It was a group interview, and I ended up being offered a position in LTC. I was the only person in my class to pass the boards on the first try, and the first to begin work

I would suggest to anyone trying to find a job ASAP: make a GREAT resume. I looked at various sample CNA resumes online, asked for guidance from existing CNA's, and also seeked help from a VOC REHAB employee who specialized in resume-writing. A cover letter is also important; it shows you have interest in that particular job you applied at, and will most likely set you apart from the rest.

A good, tailored resume and cover letter are the keys to setting yourself apart from the pack. Depending on the facility, I tweaked my resume to fit the job (i.e. hospice, home health, hospital, ltc, psychiatric hospital) and also wrote an original cover letter for each application. Good references are important too; especially for new CNAS.

Make sure you are utilizing your time well. If finding employment is important to you, make it your new full-time job.

Good luck!

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Hi! I know this is over a year later, but I was wondering what happened with "on eagles wings" who started this thread. Did you get a job? Where are you working?

I am a new graduate and just got my CNA. :) Very proud of myself, but now the task of finding a job is becoming harder than I thought it would. I got my certification at the end of Feb 2012, so it's been a little over 2 months now. I've been on 2 interviews since, and have a group interview at a local hospital this coming Friday, in the Telemetry unit.

I graduated at the top of my class and never thought it would be so hard to find a job, but trying to be patient. I worked in assisted living for 2 years and left to further my education and get my certification, plus open up more options in places I could work.

Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread. I enjoyed reading and knowing it is a process, and does take time. Hoping to find something soon. :)

Amy

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It took me almost 3 months after I was certified to get a job.

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