New CNA- wanting to work in a hospital

[opalbee]

Hello, everyone ~

I just got certified as a Nursing Assistant and am excited to start looking for jobs soon. My main interest is working at a hospital, although I've been told that hospitals are wanting experienced CNAs. How true is this, and what can I do to improve my chances of getting hired at a hospital?

[Nurseeverywhere, CNA, LVN]

I was able to get into acute care after working per diem at a skilled nursing facility and volunteering at my local hospital. I did both for seven months and was then hired at the hospital.

[NurseYoshi]

So I was hired as a tech (PCA, CNA, whatever) on my unit after I finished my medsurg clinicals on that unit. That's probably not the way you'd be able to go about that, but I'd suggest what SoCaliCNA said and volunteer while working elsewhere. My hospital uses volunteers to sit with high fall risk patients, as well as using techs or other staff to sit with them. If you can manage to sit with a patient and show them you're comfortable with patients, then that may be a great way to squeeze in. My unit specifically hires a mix of nursing students and experienced "nursing home" CNAs. Our best techs, time management wise, are the ones with the experience, but we did get a new girl with no prior experience who just did a CNA class and got hired. If you've got friends in the hospital, now may be a good time to call in a favor for them to talk to their managers.

[opalbee]

So I was hired as a tech (PCA, CNA, whatever) on my unit after I finished my medsurg clinicals on that unit. That's probably not the way you'd be able to go about that, but I'd suggest what SoCaliCNA said and volunteer while working elsewhere. My hospital uses volunteers to sit with high fall risk patients, as well as using techs or other staff to sit with them. If you can manage to sit with a patient and show them you're comfortable with patients, then that may be a great way to squeeze in. My unit specifically hires a mix of nursing students and experienced "nursing home" CNAs. Our best techs, time management wise, are the ones with the experience, but we did get a new girl with no prior experience who just did a CNA class and got hired. If you've got friends in the hospital, now may be a good time to call in a favor for them to talk to their managers.

I think what I have going for me is that I'm trying to apply for a really small hospital near where I live. Their only requirements are that you're on the registry, and that you have a BLS certification (which I do). The position is part-time, and although you are NOT obligated to work weekends, that's exactly what I want to do, so hopefully that looks favorable to them.

Unfortunately, I no longer live in the state that I took my class in so I don't have people who can help me get my foot in the door, but I'll definitely consider volunteering at a hospital, as well as working wherever I can find a job. Thanks for your advice!

[amberrenae, RN]

I got hired at a hospital for my first CNA job, and I've been there for a year and a half now and just got hired as an RN on the same floor after graduation in December. I do think being in a nursing program was helpful in getting hired there, but I also know people who aren't in a program that were hired for their first CNA job as well. Having no prior experience definitely made orientation a little tougher but I have never regretted it and I love my job.