new CNA at a hospital?

[smellyacres, BSN, RN]

Is it hard to get a job in a hospital as a new CNA? I know most start out at LTC facilities but since I'm pre-nursing I would rather get the experience of being in a hopital. I'm located in northern cali, anyone know of hospitals that will hire a CNA without prior experience?

ThankyouThankyou

[Miwila]

Hospitals seem to prefer CNA's with experience although I am sure there are new CNA's who get in through personal connections or good luck. I don't know of anyone personally who went right from CNA training to a hospital position but maybe it's different in a smaller town.

[casi, ASN, RN]

I think that it really depends on where you live. On this board I've heard of a lot of CNAs getting hired to hospitals right out of school. I live in MN and this is rare. It takes a lot of experience, sucking up, and the two magic words--"nursing student" to get in.

[Katie89]

I recently got my first CNA job, at a hospital. It all depends on the circumstances. They prefer experience, but sometimes the hospital is urgent to fill a position, or the job market is in your favor (they don't have a lot of other applicants). Some hospitals strictly require a certain amount of experience (usually 6 months-1 year), and some don't.

It may help you out to take a "less desired" position (e.g. third shift), where you'll have less people competing for it.

Also, be patient; it took me almost a year to get a job after being certified because I didn't want to work in LTC (I'm also a nursing student, and I had the same reasoning as you). Being a nursing student seems to help some. I think it sends the message that you'll be working at that hospital long-term, i.e. they are making a good investment by hiring you. Basically, it's a bit tricker to get into a hospital without experience, but not impossible. Keep at it, good luck!

[rancelumsden]

Like most answers, it's an 'it depends'.... There are far more jobs in LTC than hospitals, so it's largely a matter of numbers. I worked, part-time, in an ambulatory clinic for 6 months than got a full-time job in hospital (I did LTC later). We had a 2-week, paid training program for CNA's (and RN's were in on part of it) before I ever saw the floor. Then I worked with a preceptor for 4 weeks, then had further training in areas such as EKG's.

Point is, we CNA's were taken without experience and trained. The hospital was very attuned to customer service and the lack of experience wasn't the issue for hiring --- it was how you did in interviewing and testing. Now, I have to explain that I was a computer programmer for 35+ years and became a CNA at age 53. So, I knew how to deal with the public, and management, am literate, interview well. But, I had to struggle with CNA training issues as much, if not more, along with the rest of my peers.

So, if you're interested in hospital, go and apply. Just keep in mind that good interviewing technique is as important, often more so, than experience. Look good, show confidence, have a well-written resume to show you know the Kings English, and all the other interviewing techniques that apply. I've stressed interviewing to many people through the years. A great many people, you may be one of them, and others reading this forum, have gone through an experience of 'why didn't I get this job' (or someone else) when I was so qualified! Well, I've seen some really poor job applicants. They may very well be excellent CNA's, but their language, posture, dress, gave a poor impression.

I'm rambling --- go for it.

[NurseExorcist, BSN, RN]

I volunteered at one hospital for 5 months before taking my CNA class, thinking that would help me get in. Nope! Not even WITH an inside referral to go with it! Thankfully, a friend at another hospital had the pull to get me in. From what I've heard, hospitals (in my area) are overwhelmed with applications, so they can really be selective. By the way, I love working at the hospital, and it keeps me motivated to do my best at school.

[CNA_Timmy]

California recently passed minimum staffing ratios for hospitals. Basically they are required to have less patients per RN, which means more RNs needed, and CNAs have gone to the wayside. My cousin is in the bay area and she tells me that where she works they are keeping the aides already hired but not hiring anymore, and other hospitals have let go all the ones already there.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

Yep...often, unless a hospital is short-staffed...they don't hire new CNAs....they want them to have basic knowledge..be quick to train and get on their own so they can take full patient loads....

That is the economy of hospitals...also being a nursing student helps because they think you'll stay once you graduate...