new grad cna/pct, how long did it take you to find your first job.

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Specializes in public health.

Also please share whether you had a connection with whoever hired you or if you had any previous experience. Thanks!

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Specializes in LTC.

Less than a week.

I had experience taking care of someone though.

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Many of the CNAs and nurses at the facility I did clinicals at urged me to apply, so I did. I was offered a position on evening shift and could start the day after I passed the state exam. Basically, I was doing clinicals one day, took the test the next day, and started as a CNA the day after that. The staffing ended up being horrible, but it made me a better CNA.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab, CCU, Alzheimers, Med-Surg.

I've had four CNA jobs, and only one of them I got due to connections. If you are persistent, and apply to many places you will get something!

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I got hired a couple of weeks after I passed my state exam. I applied at my current job because my friend got a job there and told me to apply. I had one interview with the DON and she hired me on the spot.

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Specializes in LTC, SNF.

I passed my state exam Nov 12, 2010 and got hired at the facility I did my clinical with Dec 1, 2010 as a CNA. I start orientation on Dec 6, 2010. The only connection I had was I did a very good job at clinical. I had no other experience in health care at all, but always wanted to do this kind of work. If you passed the state exam it wont be long before you find something as a CNA or PCT.

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I got Hired 3 days after my graduation in Home Health Care Agency, and 2 weeks after I passed my State Exam I got a job in LTC.

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It took me 6 months, no experience prior. I applied to a million places and gave up, then got 2 call backs months later. One from a place where I had no connections, another from the place where a relative works.

I would look at nursing homes, as they have super high turnover rates. Try getting hired PRN or part-time, because more then likely (at least where I work) a full-time opening will pop up sooner then you know it.

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Specializes in LTC.

Oh and make sure you apply to all shifts, full and part time.

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Specializes in Geriatric.

I spent a week running around trying to find 3rd shift but no facilities were hiring for third shift. Finally I gave up on trying to find 3rd shift, and opened my availability all the way. The first facility I went back to, to tell them my availability had changed and I could now work ANY shift - hired me on the spot for 2nd shift and had me in orientation the next day at 9 AM sharp. lol.

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Less than a week. In clinicals, our class apparently excelled in the particular facility, and we were encouraged to apply. But, perhaps my situation is unusual. Seeking only part time, specifically weekends & holidays (no family), not much concerned about which shift. Also, in this state, cannot apply for the state exam until after course is formally completed, *and* must apply more than 30 days before the exam date. So, cannot take state exam until 6 weeks after course is completed, and it'll be 2 or 3 weeks after that, before certification.

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Specializes in public health.

Thank you for sharing. I got a job at a local hospital after 1.5 months of persistent applying.

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