New CNAs- Have any trouble finding a job??

[Chica17]

i moved to phoenix in november and i have put out so many job applications and nobody has hired me ( i have only 2 yrs exp. in a nursing home but never received my cna, just graduated highschool in 08) so i have been thinking about going to a cna training program with the hope that i will be able to find a job but i was wondering if any cnas are having trouble finding jobs or if anyone is really hiring since so many hospitals are having hiring freezes? any input would be great! as always, thanks in advance!

[caliotter3]

thanks everyone for the helpful replies! i called a place yesterday & they have a cna class starting in april that not only i won't have to pay for since i qualify for some program, but also the woman assured me she would find me a job. :yeah:so i've decided to register! i guess it won't hurt anything if i won't have to pay for it & i can probably in the end get a job offer :redbeathe

see! no downside!! hope you enjoy the class and get a good job.

[CNAinTampa]

Here in Tampa it is not impossible to find work as a newly licensed CNA. I applied for 5 days with no luck (lots of on the spot interviews with only 'must be able to work ALL shifts PRN' which I was not okay with.. I then started asking for 11p-7a which is less hectic then the day shifts so a good start for a newbie.

Then I got offered a job on the spot for $9/h for 90 days, $10 after 90 days. More $$ once the Parkinson's ward opens up! I am PRN 11-7a BUT I get at least 4 shifts a week with more available. I work one-two overtime shifts a month. It is heaven out here in Clearwater. I've only been here for about 2 months so FT is available to me in another month!

Just apply everywhere. I had no XP but I still got hired. Good luck!

[rambozluv]

Graduated cna classes and passed state boards test and skills on first try. That was in March 09, I still do not have a job, frustrated and angry, yes. cna job's are all over the internet in my town, but yet when you go there to apply they say they're not hiring! I wish I hadn't spent the $750 and took my time to take the cna classes. It's gotten me nowhere real fast. Sorry, I'm so discouraged. Well, yeah, I did get 1 interview on the spot, but told me ahead of time that they didn't have anything right then, but they would call me as soon as something opened up, and that's for a casual pt position at ltc.

[Busia]

It's taken me a little over 2 months since passing my boards to get even an interview, and it's for a PCA postion. The same facility is hiring CNA's, but I applied for both and only got called for the PCA. I'm excited to finally have an interview, but bummed that it's PCA instead of CNA. The job duties are basically the same, but I can't get reimbursed for my class and boards for a PCA job like I could for the CNA job. I was really looking forward to that reimbursement!!! But hey, in this economy I'll take what I can get!!

[Miwila]

I think it's best when a newbie can be flexible, especially in this new economy. I know a newbie CNA who relocated from South Carolina to Virginia to work his first job. He applied for jobs in his region for about a month and after sitting out that frustration began to look further afield and in days he finally found something that meant he would have to relocate. When there is no opportunity where you are, you have to go to where the opportunity is. And be realistic in your expectations. I can't tell you how many newbie CNA's I've heard moan that they can't find a job in a hospital because they don't "want" to work in LTC. Most CNA's in LTC don't "want" to be there, so get in line. Sometimes to get what you want you have to pay a few dues first.