NEW CNA!

If you've only sent out applications to hospitals there's a slim chance you'll get anything. Hospitals usually want CNAs with at least a year of experience. Even a lot of LTC facilities I've seen want a year of experience. You'll have to start from the bottom if all you've got is CNA certification and volunteer experience.

Congratulations! Fasten your seat belt, your wild ride is about to begin. I wish everyone in health care started out as a CNA, if only because I don't think you can truly appreciate how difficult, demanding and invaluable the work is.

I can tell you will succeed! Don't get discouraged. I applied to every job, every day, with a personalized cover letter and resume for FIVE MONTHS before I got an interview. I have the splint from the resulting de Guervain's tenosynovitis as a memento.

Your barista experience is perfect for CNA work. Let your interviewers know you are an expert at fast-paced, multitasking, efficient, prioritizing work, and exceeding tough customer demands. Barista is a tough job.

Odds are against you for starting at a hospital; you may need to pay some dues. Working float, evening and/or nights gets you some extra dough... but you'll earn it. Maybe you can work your volunteer experience. Ask everyone you know at your hospital for advice. I got my first CNA job at a facility that does not hire new CNAs because I was an experienced volunteer and my volunteer coordinator emailed my interviewer after the interview to recommend me.

Bottom line: CONGRATULATIONS! You are on your way.

If you've only sent out applications to hospitals there's a slim chance you'll get anything. Hospitals usually want CNAs with at least a year of experience. Even a lot of LTC facilities I've seen want a year of experience. You'll have to start from the bottom if all you've got is CNA certification and volunteer experience.

If you're in Las Vegas try Valley Health, I've seen some posts in the last few days for CNA float pool

awww ! thanks so much !!!!!! i never thought my skills as a barista would help me out that much lol but for sure will make sure to add that in my resume thanks for that!but I'm just having trouble actually finding a LTC that pays more than $10 i feel like that is wayyy to low for all the stuff CNA's have to do!

Congratulations! Fasten your seat belt, your wild ride is about to begin. I wish everyone in health care started out as a CNA, if only because I don't think you can truly appreciate how difficult, demanding and invaluable the work is.

I can tell you will succeed! Don't get discouraged. I applied to every job, every day, with a personalized cover letter and resume for FIVE MONTHS before I got an interview. I have the splint from the resulting de Guervain's tenosynovitis as a memento.

Your barista experience is perfect for CNA work. Let your interviewers know you are an expert at fast-paced, multitasking, efficient, prioritizing work, and exceeding tough customer demands. Barista is a tough job.

Odds are against you for starting at a hospital; you may need to pay some dues. Working float, evening and/or nights gets you some extra dough... but you'll earn it. Maybe you can work your volunteer experience. Ask everyone you know at your hospital for advice. I got my first CNA job at a facility that does not hire new CNAs because I was an experienced volunteer and my volunteer coordinator emailed my interviewer after the interview to recommend me.

Bottom line: CONGRATULATIONS! You are on your way.

awww ! thanks so much !!!!!! i never thought my skills as a barista would help me out that much lol but for sure will make sure to add that in my resume thanks for that!but I'm just having trouble actually finding a LTC that pays more than $10 i feel like that is wayyy to low for all the stuff CNA's have to do!

If you're in Las Vegas try Valley Health, I've seen some posts in the last few days for CNA float pool

Thanks I've applied to them as well!

awww ! thanks so much !!!!!! i never thought my skills as a barista would help me out that much lol but for sure will make sure to add that in my resume thanks for that!but I'm just having trouble actually finding a LTC that pays more than $10 i feel like that is wayyy to low for all the stuff CNA's have to do!

Have you looked into home health care? You need to be careful because as a new CNA... and even as one with experience.. you can get into some dicey situations. HHA can pay more, though. In Washington, at least. It could be very different in your state. I'd suggest you check out ResCare. I signed up with them for a brief stint; they were high quality.

Number one as a CNA it is a hard fact THAT MANY JOBS start you out less then 10.00. I think you are right and i don't think we should be payed less then 10.00, but that is not the reality of the CNA world. I work in Home Health Care and I did not start at 10.00. Though if you want to work 3rd shift places then might be a lot closer to your wanting of 10.00

Don't get to hung up on hospitals and think of the many other places you could work and get great experiance and your resume will look a lot better to the hospitals after you get that experianced year under your belt. There are many places as well that you could be looking at. What about VET Homes and Hospitals, Hospice, Home Care, Homes for the Disabled, Rehab, LTC, Retirment Homes, Just to list a few other places you might want to look at

Number one as a CNA it is a hard fact THAT MANY JOBS start you out less then 10.00. I think you are right and i don't think we should be payed less then 10.00, but that is not the reality of the CNA world. I work in Home Health Care and I did not start at 10.00. Though if you want to work 3rd shift places then might be a lot closer to your wanting of 10.00

Don't get to hung up on hospitals and think of the many other places you could work and get great experiance and your resume will look a lot better to the hospitals after you get that experianced year under your belt. There are many places as well that you could be looking at. What about VET Homes and Hospitals, Hospice, Home Care, Homes for the Disabled, Rehab, LTC, Retirment Homes, Just to list a few other places you might want to look at

Wise words from mvm2!

There are many ways to build your resume to get you where you want to go and I can't think of anything to add to what she's said.

Keep your eye on the prize and your focus on the big picture.

If you are just a recent graduate of a CNA program, you will not get hired at hospital right away.

They want someone with experience. I think LTC/nursing homes will at least give you $10-11/hr as starting or even more. I'm not sure how much a barista makes per hour though.

Also, is your resume up to date? Does it have the substantial parts?

CNA's are not paid what they are worth or what most think they should be paid!

Depending on where you live of course, $10. an hour (on the East coast) is pretty typical, if not higher than average!

SeattleJess How did you like working for ResCare? Did they pay you minimum wage or close to? I was looking into them for HHA so I'm just curious.