overqualified/cna job?

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2011

No..most of the time, they just want someone with a pulse & CNA certification.

FWIW, I've worked with quite a few CNA's who had degrees in other fields.

Sart45 · Jan 13, 2011

I'm a CNA in a hospital. I'm a retired teacher with a BA and an MA. I've also applied for an accelerated BSN program-- when I was hired the hospital was looking for CNA's who wanted to further their education. Personally, I think I was hired because of my "extra" education.

corinth13 · Jan 13, 2011

I'm working towards my BS and will be graduating in 2012. When my DON saw that I had education experience she asked me about it but thought that I had completed my degree already and she asked me "I was going to say if you had a degree why would you want to be a CNA?". None of the CNA's I work with have a degree but some of us are working towards degrees. I think I get paid more because I have more educational experience and I think it helped me land a job as well.

canigraduate · Jan 13, 2011

Nope. Many CNAs have degrees. Especially those who are changing careers and are in nursing school.

Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN · Jan 14, 2011

If you had a BS then maybe, a BA no. Your BA qualifications are largely unrelated to a CNA position. I have a BA in religion and have been pararabbi but that has little to nothing to do with my CNA and nursing ambitions.

backatit2 · Jan 14, 2011

i have a BS and a teaching license. i'm the only one in my CNA class who graduated from college - several students are IN school, but none have finished. i don't think it will hurt my chances to get a job as a CNA, i think it will help because (at least around here) the turnover rate for CNA's is HIGH. completing college shows you have some sort of dedication, willingness to work, and you're not doing it just for cash. i'm doing it to get some experience while i work on my BSN and i plan to be honest about that.

Thirdwatch · Jan 14, 2011

I have a BA in psychology. When I told the interviewer about it, they didn't hire me. Later on, I removed it from my resume and got hired.

backatit2 · Jan 15, 2011

I have a BA in psychology. When I told the interviewer about it, they didn't hire me. Later on, I removed it from my resume and got hired.

i've considered doing this too. i've applied for several jobs that pay minimum wage (not CNA) and never got call backs. i NEVER had trouble getting a job before. in fact, this is the first time i haven't had a job. an old professor said she tried to get a job at a daycare after she got her BS in education and the director told her she couldn't hire her bc it would make the other workers feel bad about themselves. i think it's the same concept.

Thirdwatch · Jan 15, 2011

i've considered doing this too. i've applied for several jobs that pay minimum wage (not CNA) and never got call backs. i NEVER had trouble getting a job before. in fact, this is the first time i haven't had a job. an old professor said she tried to get a job at a daycare after she got her BS in education and the director told her she couldn't hire her bc it would make the other workers feel bad about themselves. i think it's the same concept.

I never mention my BA. I've gotten so many job offers without it...and big pay. My first CNA job was &16/hour with loads of overtime. My paychecks would be over 3,000/month. I had to let this one go because I got a job at a hospital within walking distance

tokidoki7, ASN, RN · Jan 16, 2011

I've worked with nursing assistants who have bachelor and graduate degrees.

lilbearzmom · Jan 16, 2011

I have a BA in History and am working as a STNA/CNA. It's a means to an end for me. I get to work in a related field while persuing an AAS in Respiratory Care. I agree with one PP- sometimes they just want someone with a pulse and a CNA license. I really doubt that an advanced education would hurt you.