Please help!!! Passed CNA written & skills test! What should I do next?

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I am a freshly minted CNA in the Bay Area, CA. I am not sure what is the best strategy for finding work as a CNA. I am hoping that some of you kind souls would have some advice to share with me!!!

- Should I just call random hospitals and ask if they have any CNA positions available?

- Should I have a resume and cover letter ready?

- Some CNA positions in indeed.com want someone with one year of experience. Since I have just become a CNA, I don't have this. Because of this, should I just take any position I find just for the experience?

- Is there a directory for available CNA positions in the Bay Area somewhere? Or a website?

- I am currently taking an EMT class (until May), so I would only be available Thursdays-Sundays. Do you know if this will hinder me (not being able to work full time yet)?

Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciate! Thank you so much!!!!!

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First of all, congrats! Passing the exam is a great first step and will help you get that first job!

As for searching for a job, talk to your instructors to see if they have any job leads. All hospitals will have jobs listed on their websites. Sign up for their email alerts so that when new jobs are listed, they come directly into your inbox. Look on craigslist for CNA positions. In the Seattle area, it has tons listed!

Cracking into the hospital can be difficult with no experience (I haven't had any luck yet). You may be able to get on at a skilled nursing facility or a nursing home. Just be particular with where you go as there are good places and not so great. I got a job at a nursing home/rehab center and love it so far. I think it is giving me great experience!

I don't think you should take just any old job for experience. You are setting up yourself for failure and frustration if you get into something questionable. Remember - protect your license (and back) at all costs as once they are gone, you can't get them back easily (or at all). I took a home health job since that is what would hire me. I hated it. I quit after three months since it was a questionable agency and it wasn't giving me the right experience. Some people love it so you have to figure out what you want to do!

Also look in your local paper (usually find this online) for jobs. There are lots of online postings for CNA positions. I have looked at indeed and find their jobs to be old, outdated.

A lot of CNA positions want candidates for the weekend. I don't think it will hinder you but you will need to find a position that works for both you and the company. They are worth waiting for! In my position, they are going to work with me once I start nursing school in March. And I haven't been there that long. So happy to continue working!

Good luck!

Brook

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Apply, apply, apply, but only after research. It can be easy to get a job at a nursing home that will make you miserable... but that's not what anyone wants. Use google/yelp/;..etc to find reviews from employees and family. Scope out a place that seems legit. Apply! I applied for my first choice, they preferred 1 yr exp., but I had none. Was hired a week later. BUT after my first day on my own at my new job I will admit I'm terrified. It was scary to have my own list of residents etc.. an be responsible for their health. Just keep posting threads about being nervous. The responses will roll in. It can be scary and I am still scared shi%less (cried after first day) but from this forum I know it gets better.

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Wow--thank you so much, Brook! Your advice is really helpful because I had been worrying about questionable agencies being an issue.

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Beeptime - Oh wow! I know I will be scared shi%less too! I like your advice about using the internet to find out reviews from employees and fam. I imagine that there are a lot of shady nursing homes out there, and that's my worst nightmare! I want to go somewhere that treats its residents (and healthcare workers!) with some dignity and respect. I hope that's not too much to hope for... Thank you so much for responding!

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Hi congrats on passing ! where did you take ur exam at? What testing site? My exam is coming up soon, do you have any tips for me? I'm more worried on the skills exam if you can give any tips for me it would be great!

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Hi bradycardic! I took my exam in Berkeley adult school. I passed the written by going over a CNA test prep book, which had practice tests. Go over that stuff over and over.

As for the skills exam, I memorized the indirect care steps (wash hands, check patient's ID and greet patient by name, introduce self, provide for privacy, lock the bed, make sure patient is properly aligned, etc.).

I made a list of every possible skill they might want us to demonstrate, and I watched demos of the skills on youtube. You never know which skill they'll test you on, so review as many of the youtube CNA skill examples as you can. They're a quick way to remind yourself how to do skills you've forgotten about. I watched demos on every single skill I listed, and that made me feel so prepared and gave me a lot of confidence when I did the skills test. So I HIGHLY recommend watching a demo of each skill. GOOD LUCK! You'll do great!!!!

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