Out of ideas.... Help???

[BePatient]

Hi everyone!! Thank you so much for reading (this is kinda lengthy)!

I'm finishing up my pre-req's and will be taking the NET exam this summer. I would really like to get my foot in the door of the medical world. I have applied to become a NA at multiple hospitals a number of times and have been rejected everytime. I think this is because I have no prior medical backgroud (that I can understand). So I have been looking very hard at becoming an STNA and found a couple programs that seem great. I found a NH that offers a two week course and then a possible position afterwards... problem is I need to give my current job no less than two weeks notice, and the NH is only giving me a weeks notice as to when the next course is offered. I then found that Meridia (yay!) is offering a three week course to become an STNA. You fill out an application for an actual position and then they train you... problem with this one... they wont hire me!

I understand that a hospital can not just hire anyone off the streets and give them a job taking care of people's lives. But I dont know how else to get involved! I will be on a waiting list for 2 years before I get into the Nursing program at school, and I'm afraid that when I get into the actual program I'm going to realize that I dont like nursing!! I could pay for classes to become a MA, but I'm on my own and am really trying to keep the cost down.

I was hoping someone would be able to give me an better idea or maybe a dose of reality! Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!!!

God Bless,

Patience

[Megsd, BSN, RN]

I went through the same thing. I moved to Dayton last summer and applied for office, tech and PCT positions at every single hospital in the area and got rejection letter after rejection letter. I wound up applying to a NH who trained me for a week (paid!) and hired me as a STNA immediately afterwards, so I really lucked out. Since then I've moved into working for home health agencies, which I really enjoy.

If you do want to try out being a STNA, look at your local community college and see if they offer classes. I'd always be wary of facilities who hire and train you because they usually expect you to stay for a year or more after they've paid to train you, and if it's a crummy facility you're kind of stuck. If you happen to live in the Dayton area, PM me and I'll let you know what I know about local resources here for employers, STNA classes, etc.