My very first job ever is being a CNA... help please!!!

[TheAwkwardOne]

I just got certified a couple months ago, and I'm through my first year of college, and I've never had a real job before. Being a CNA is going to be my very first job ever, and I'm really, REALLY nervous. I have yet to send in an app/be interviewed, but when I called them to see if they accept students that can only work for like two months before going back to school, they said yes. They also said they were thinking about hiring me as on-call.

What does it mean exactly to be an on-call CNA and how does an on-call CNA get paid? Is it worth being an on-call CNA? What if I don't have my driver's license yet, and I accept the job as on-call?

[mvm2]

On call usually means they will call you if they need a shift to be filled. Sometimes they might call you within only a few hours of needing you because someone called in sick or something. Or if they simply have an opening somewhere on the schedule.

There is usually a minimum amount of hours you need to work per month, but the nice thing about it is you are not as obligated to them to work if you have other things going on in your life. Hope that helps

[Lulu Belle, RN, EMT-B]

I would highly suggest you to take an on call or per diem position. Being a CNA is hard, especially as a first-ever job. If your financial situation doesn't require you to work full time, you'll be happy you're not required to work 32 or 40 hours a week.

The biggest thing I would look for in a job is adequate training--if you have enough training, you're golden (I had 11 shifts of orientation, I don't see how people do it with 2).