I was in a similar situation. Having lost my retail job due to a huge sales push, i decided to try the C.N.A. course at my local Tech school. It was a four week course as well. If I recall correctly, many of the facilities you will do your clinical work will hire you on once you've completed the course. The skills test came for me about two months after finishing the class, but I'm pretty sure you can work in a facility as you wait for your test. Your instructor should be able to give you a list of places that will hire newbies and I would go ahead and ask for a referral from the instructor too. Always good to have contacts.