If you have a certification in Nursing Assistant and Phlebotomy

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Will you still have to start off working in a nursing home? Also can you work even if you haven't actually completed the state exams?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

You cannot represent yourself as certified if you're not. If the employer is aware that you have not taken the exams, then that's up to the employer.

I'm not sure what you mean by "have to start off working in a nursing home." Of course there is no rule or law that states that. Individual markets have their own supply & demand and your situation will depend solely upon the situation in your area.

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Specializes in school nurse.

Not sure if I understand the question, but sure, it's possible that an acute care hospital will direct hire you as a CNA or phlebotomist. You may be thinking of all the posts from new RNs that talk about nursing homes being the only place that offers them their first jobs. If that's the case, it's a completely different situation.

You can only work as a CNA if the "C" (certification) part is done, so yes, you need to take the state exam first.

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I've been told that I would have up to two years to take the state exam but that I would still be able to work. But that some facilitates would make you certify within 90 days of being hired. Yes most people say that CNA's have to start off working in a nursing home to gain experience.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
I've been told that I would have up to two years to take the state exam but that I would still be able to work. But that some facilitates would make you certify within 90 days of being hired. Yes most people say that CNA's have to start off working in a nursing home to gain experience.

You may have up to 2 yrs to become certified -- you just can't say you ARE certified until you pass the exam

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Well I'm saying would me not being certified keep me from being hired?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Well I'm saying would me not being certified keep me from being hired?

Entirely up to the individual employer. We have no way of knowing that.

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Well I'm saying would me not being certified keep me from being hired?

Depends on the rules in your state. For example, in CA, an NA can work for four months before they have to have a CNA certificate. If an employer needs workers badly enough, they might hire non-certified nursing assistants. Some long term care facilities provide free training, then will continue to pay the student until they pass the exam. Then they will start to earn the CNA rate.

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Where I live you have to become certified within a certain amount of days if you work in a nursing home. Some nursing homes will pay for your education to get your cna/ stna. For hospitals it depends although the majority that I've seen (and where I work) don't require any certificate for a nursing assistant. It is just preferred. It is required for phlebotomy everywhere here. I live in Ohio

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Not unless the job posting actually requires the certification to apply. Many CNA jobs don't require a state certification.

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