Yeah it takes a while if you don’t have experience but I’ve worked in a hospital for 10 years but prior to that it wasn’t easy to get into a hospital and now I have one year left for my BSN so being in a hospital does have its benefit if you want to grow and become a nurse.
This should not be happening at all, number 1 if you need help, you are required to get help, and 36 patients is unsafe for one CNA to be having, that shouldn’t even be allowed. If your patients can’t turn on their own or assist you, you definitely should be getting help.
I’ve been a CNA for 18 years and a lot hospital do not hire CNA they rather hire PCA, nursing home will be easier to get into then a hospital. I do currently work in a hospital in NYC, but there are very few hospitals in NY that hire CNA and the one that do want you to have experience. You would need at least a year of experience in a nursing home.