Shannon82

I had no previous experience in any medical field so I didn't start out at very much. Our hospital does a stepping plan, I started out at 10.00, after 90 days the amount increases by .50, after 6 months another .50 cents, and after a year, another .50 cents. So after a year I will be making 11.50. I also get shift differential which is an extra 1.00/hr since I'm working the 7pm-7am shift. When I work weekends I get an extra .75/hr.

I passed my CNA exam at the end of May and applied directly for hospital positions. I was hired in July for a CNA position at our local hospital. I just kept applying for different CNA positions until someone finally called me.

The online instructions specifically say, do not call to check on the status of your application. The information online, is the most update to information available. I hate online applications, it's so impersonal.

Yeah I did, my clinicals were at Carolinas Medical Center and I've put in a lot of applications there. It's all online, so it's pretty much just a waiting game. My most recent application status says, "Application Forwarded to Manager" but it's said that for a week or so now.

I've been applying like a madwoman for several months now for a CNA position. I was a stay at home mom for 10 years so I know that hurts my chances of acquiring employment. I do have volunteer experience at a nursing home but that doesn't seem to be helping me at all. I'm trying to find a third shift postion preferably at a hospital, but I'm not picky. The hospitals I've applied at all have online applications and they don't want you to call in and check the status of your applications. Was it this hard for everyone to get their first CNA job? Any tips?

Thanks for all the responses everyone. I do know about NC Good Samaritan law which states that if you do stop to render aid, then you cannot be held responsible for the outcome since you were an uncompensated "volunteer" basically. I've yet to find anything that states you have a duty to respond. Obviously, morally stopping would be the right thing to do but I wasn't questioning the morals of it, simply the law.

Someone in one of my classes today said that in our state (NC) it was a law that if any medical personnel arrive at the scene of an accident they are required by law to stop and render assistance. Is this true? If so, that is the first I've heard of it. Just curious.

Quick question, what's the correct protocol for self diagnosis. I'm a nursing student so I know I'm not expert but I'm fairly certain I have a UTI. I did an at home test, and my leukocyte level is above 500 PPM. I'm having severe lower back pain, burning urination, and frequency. I'm going to call the doctor, but is it wrong for me to tell him that I'm pretty sure I have a UTI, and the steps that I've done already?

I hadn't really thought about this before until tonight. I had a dream that I went to apply for a job at the hospital I want to work and they turned me down because I had an outstanding bill with them. We owe money to a hospital and I'm just wondering if anyone knows if this will impact my ability to obtain employment with said hospital.

I'm getting ready to start my CNA training class. One question I have is, how hard is it going to be to get my first CNA job, having no prior experience? I know everyone has to start somwhere but most of the job listings I've seen require at least one year experience as a CNA. It seems like a Catch 22, everyone wants experience but you can't get experience without having a job to give it to you.