Male CNA in NYC

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I am a new male CNA had the license now for one year, wow has it been rough finding work.I have read prior threads by other male CNA of the same problem.My experience has been needing experience, hows does one get this experience if NOT GIVEN A CHANCE? Many HHA agencies will hire but hear home care experience doesn't count for CNA LTC or hospital experience.I am trying to figure out what to do.I feel a CNA will give me a great introuduction to nursing, I wish to begin here.Some agencies which hire CNA don't hire male, I am guessing as they have few male clinets or patients.

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Many people are afraid to have strange men come into their homes, although most agencies I've worked out were happy to have some male CNAs.

Keep trying, and best wishes.

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Specializes in ER OR LTC Code Blue Trauma Dog.

This issue may not be about experience at all. Proving that is another story.

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It's not a great economy so take what you can get for now. You can learn in the home health environment and any patient care you do is a plus for later on in your career. Ask for feedback in interviews even when you don't get the job. That can offer some helpful info. And follow up even when you don't get the job. Eventually positions will open up.

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Thanks for your feedback will continue to try.One CNA agency wanted to hire but was paying $7.15 I feel for that amount of work and to be paid $7.15 is an outrageous amount.I am sure there is something out there better if I don't jump at the first GO..Not being picky...just standards.

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I'm a male CNA, and I've been certified for over 2 years, I am also a Nursing student. I have had so much trouble finding jobs, or even being granted an interview. I am more than qualified to do the job, but I haven't been given a chance. I do work for a Health care staffing agency, which pays really well; however, my shifts get canceled most of the time. I feel that many of the companies/facilities are being sexist towards males, because their mentalities are that Nursing is for females, and has no place for males. Any thoughts???

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
Thanks for your feedback will continue to try.One CNA agency wanted to hire but was paying $7.15 I feel for that amount of work and to be paid $7.15 is an outrageous amount.I am sure there is something out there better if I don't jump at the first GO..Not being picky...just standards.

You may want to take the job just to gain some experience as hospitals generally want at least a year of experince. When I became a CNA to gain experince and to help get into nursing school I had to take a $4 an hour cut in pay to $9, but I did it for the experience. 11 months later I got hired into a hospital working the the ER and after being there for 3 years I am at $17.15 and 2 weeks away from graduating.

So just look at the lousy paying job as a stepping stool to that better paying job.

I understand wanting to hold out untill you get a better offer, but experince is experince and unless you signed a contract you are not bound to the agency so you can move on when something better does come along

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Specializes in Sec/Tech.

Another suggestion would be to widen/broaden your job search. Had there been any places you did not apply to such as smaller hospitals, a more out of the way LTC or ALF? Did you try any of the places you have done clinicals at? If not, I might do like ivana said and take it for experience if you want that more than the money.

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RE: Any thoughts...

I am being discriminated against because I'm a dude. Right, sorry I just don't buy it. Or wait, it must be so hard to a man in a "woman's profession." Of course everything should be handed to you! You're a man in a field dominated by women. That must be so SCARY!

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Specializes in Med-Surgery, ICU, ER.
RE: Any thoughts...

I am being discriminated against because I'm a dude. Right, sorry I just don't buy it. Or wait, it must be so hard to a man in a "woman's profession." Of course everything should be handed to you! You're a man in a field dominated by women. That must be so SCARY!

Say what you will, I have seen discrimination against male nurses and male CNA's. It does exist. I don't recall the OP suggesting anything be handed to him nor do I comprehend your snarky attitude. Take a chill pill.

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By both NYS and NYC laws you cannot be refused employment based upon gender, that includes being put on an agency's books for HHC. However as another poster stated, proving one was not taken on for that reason may be a hard nut to crack. Will agree however that many clients might request "female" only nurses and CNAs for HHC if the patient is female, an infant or small child. Sadly one guesses cultural bias or fear about leaving such persons alone with a "strange man" trump laws.

Next, you have to consider the same upheaval effecting nurses in the NYC area applies to other healthcare workers as well, even CNAs. Two major hospitals closed in Queens last year, and St. Vincent's last month, throwing hundreds of seasoned RNs, LPNs, and CNAs out of work. There simply isn't enough demand at the moment to absorb all those recently unemployed, added to which are the scores of new graduate nurses and nursing assistants coming out of programs every six and twelve months.

Then there is the tough economic climate in the area which has hurt hospitals and other clinical settings hard. The budget stalemate in Albany, and pending changes to federal programs via "ObamaCare" are just adding more fun to the mix. In short aside from perhaps one or two hospitals or healthcare networks, the balance are in financial situations that range from poor to dire, none of this bodes well for hiring of new staff other than what is required.

Nursing homes in the NYC area, once a huge employers of CNAs are beginning to switch in whole or part into LTC, which is also affecting hiring.

Regarding wages, well as one who used to be a NA back in the day, pay was never lavish, and as another poster stated, tended to get better if one stayed employed at a hospital long enough, mainly due to raises won via senority.

The nursing home right up the street from me employs mostly CNAs or NAs who seem to be mostly immigriants (they hang out during lunch times and breaks on the block, so one often sees them milling about). To this have to say they probably aren't paid that much because some are often seen going through rubbish looking for empty bottles and cans to return for cash.

On the flip side of this, did see a priviate duty CNA with his charge walking along Park Avenue the other day. The guy had on starched "Dr.Kildare" whites so blinding had to put on my sun glasses.

Home health care in NYC and probably elsewhere is complicated by the numbers of unlicensed persons hired to do the work, rather than pay agency or even on the book legal rates. From infant to elder care, one sees them all the time in the area, and often they will hand out cards or ask if you know of anyone looking for their services.

You might wish to try hitting the pavement one day covering all the hospitals and clinical settings in one area, say the Upper Eastside for instance. Dress to impress and stop off at HR departments (if you can get past security that is), leaving a copy of your resume and inquire about open positions, if any. Also network, network, network. Try to find nurses or CNAs already working at a hospital or nursing home/LTC and ask if they know of any in house positions and so forth.

Best of luck...

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Thanks for your feed back in regards to taking something on for the experience instead of the $ even though wer need the $ to live, but I get your point.All the feed back has given alot to think about.

For the male CNA who stated "sexiest" I never thought of it that way.I just felt if the agency or facility has more female patients or clients then they would need more female CNA. I guess on the other had I know how you feel of not being accepted or, I am sure women have felt that way for years too...

thirdborn333Re: Male CNA in NYC

I'm a male CNA, and I've been certified for over 2 years, I am also a Nursing student. I have had so much trouble finding jobs, or even being granted an interview. I am more than qualified to do the job, but I haven't been given a chance. I do work for a Health care staffing agency, which pays really well; however, my shifts get canceled most of the time. I feel that many of the companies/facilities are being sexist towards males, because their mentalities are that Nursing is for females, and has no place for males. Any thoughts??? thirdborn333Re: Male CNA in NYC

I'm a male CNA, and I've been certified for over 2 years, I am also a Nursing student. I have had so much trouble finding jobs, or even being granted an interview. I am more than qualified to do the job, but I haven't been given a chance. I do work for a Health care staffing agency, which pays really well; however, my shifts get canceled most of the time. I feel that many of the companies/facilities are being sexist towards males, because their mentalities are that Nursing is for females, and has no place for males. Any thoughts???

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