overqualified/cna job?

st4rl4dy · Jan 18, 2011

if you are getting Nos because of it, then don't mention it. You also have to consider who you are speaking to, sometimes if someone thinks you could possibly take their job or will not stay in a job they tell you these things. Something else to think about is people's personal ego and how you are presenting this information. Why CNA work now is something you might have to explain in your interview.

nursnovice · Jan 29, 2011

Did you have a resume turned in before applying for the job? If so, did you add ur professional resume to a cna resume? I also have a degree in IT but am looking to change my career to nursing. CNA giving me a little bit of experience b/4 getting into my nursing prgm. Look forward to hearing from you.

chorkle · Jan 29, 2011

Except for Thirdwatch's experience, OF COURSE you're overqualified.

However, "overqualified" has generally been invoked as a reason not to hire someone in much the same field. (How can we be sure you'll be here for the long haul? You might get a job offer in your field & at your education level, and be gone. Never mind that we can terminate you any time, for any reason or for no reason. We absolutely expect 100% commitment from you, but offer you only 0% commitment from us.)

As long as LTC has high turnover of CNAs--and it seems likely, for lotsa reasons--if you have a CNA license, and it looks like you can do the work, and have some interest, you'll probably be hired.

sonomala · Jan 30, 2011

It depends on the company. Some places see the degree as an advantage because a degree tends to prove that some one is committed to seeing things all the way through. The higher the degree, the greater the determination and strength because of what it must have taken to get there.

But, I know from exp, a degree can hurt as well. If some one is smart enough to get a degree, they are smart enough not to go with company on every little detail and smart enough to raise their voice if they see a problem.

While I was job hunting, I filled out dozens of applications including fast food. I always put down my AS degree under education. A good friend told me I was ruling out any chance of getting hired. And she was right, I never got one interview for those jobs.

As for putting it down or not, it all depends on how badly you need a job. If you can wait awhile, a good company will come along that will see the degree as an asset. But in the short term, some companies might pass you over because of it.

corinth13 · Jan 30, 2011

Right now at my CNA job, I am getting paid over $2-3 more an hour than if I was to do a job in my feild even if I am almost done with my degree! I want to get my Early Intervention/ Special Education license and I could teach preschool right now and just for the heck of it looked up how much I would be making an hour; only $10! Even though I have an education and sometimes feel overqualified I love what I do as a CNA! My educational experience adds to my confidence and my committment to getting things done.

On a side note, I would be prepared if you do get a job as a CNA that a lot of your coworkers might not appriciate your degree; I get so ****** off when people don't respect an education, I don't know if that is one of your petpeeves but it is one of mine. I work my ass off at both my education and my job and yet my coworkers laugh that I can't work 40 hours a week, go to school full time to maintain that B+ average, and get ****** off when I say no to add on extra shifts.

sonomala · Feb 2, 2011

Corinth13, I've been there. I think a lot of the nasty comments and feeling about education come from jealousy. One day you won't have to do that for a living. You have a future. Additionally, students and those with higher education get a lot more respect in the real world. Almost every time I meet a new adult the conversation turns to what do you do and where did you go to school. No one is going to flat out out disrespect someone for not going on but they won't give a lot of respect to it either. Higher education is hard work and anyone who has finished it deserves more respect.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2011

Yea in some places, people will seem jealous of you in a way if you mention that you are a full-time student. I just ignore it..education is something to be proud of!