If I am getting CNA training through an LTC I am working for, would it look bad to leave?

If I am getting CNA training through an LTC I am working for, would it look bad to leave and go to a hospital for a job after I get my CNA?

I am a nurse assistant at a long-term care facility and I am getting my CNA training through them. Once I get certified would it look bad on my resume to get a job at a hospital instead of staying with the nursing home for a while? I really like my job, but a hospital setting is closer to my interests. I am even thinking of a mental health tech in a psych ward. (Couldn't find correct forum and title isn't complete obviously. By the time I am certified, I will have been employed at the nursing home for about three months. The training is given by the incorporation the facility is under. This means that all people working for a nursing home under this specific incorporation gets the training together.

Edited Aug 8, 2015 by natswe23

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The LTC facility is spending the time, money and effort to train you to become a CNA. In exchange, I think you should give them at least a six month commitment.

I think it will look negative if you bail on them for the exalted hospital setting right at this moment. The nursing home might even stop offering CNA training, which would hurt future people who desperately need free job training.

However, you must do whatever you feel is best for you.

Your resume will not tell anyone that you've bailed on the LTC facility after they've paid for your education (unless you decide to put it on your resume).

It would be courtesy to stay there since they've funded you to get the certification, but nothing is stopping you from moving on.

As long as you did not sign any paperwork that requires you to work X amount of time after getting the certification you are under no obligation legally to have to work for them. Though I do agree that it looks alittle shady to jump to another job as soon as you are certified. If you can... hold out just a few months to 6 months and then go for that hospital job. After all in your heart you might feel you owe them a little of your time being they just gave you free CNA classes that many of us pay 100s of dollars toget.

In my city, CNA training costs at least $1500, depending upon the provider. You state that you are working for this facility, so it would be best to keep that in mind, when leaving. These are the people that you will be expecting to provide you with a positive job reference when you seek that hospital job. Would recommend you stay a minimum of six months. If it takes you nine months to get hired in a hospital, that is even better. Then no one can say that you took advantage of the situation. Best wishes.

You don't owe the nursing home anything. They're not training you for your sake, they're training you to help themselves. That being said, three month job stints are not attractive to prospective employers. You should stick around for a while for your own benefit.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Yes, it would look bad. I cannot believe there's even a question.

Three months at a job on a resume looks bad to prospective employers in any industry. Talent acquisition/recruitment and on-boarding is expensive, not to mention training. If you bail on the LTC, how does the hospital know you won't bail again.

As others have said it would not look good on your resume if you jumped ship right after receiving your CNA certification in their dime. If you can stick it out there for a while it will look better on your resume. Also many of the hospitals around my area look for CNAs that have experience in LTC usually at least a year.