CAAMSE

Weezy24 and lalopop86 - just curious, how many hospital jobs did you apply for before you finally got yours, and what units/shifts did you get? Also, what is the starting wage at a hospital, compared to a LTC facility (at least where you are)? rose2012 - I agree...it sounds like we have to work our way up! Thanks for all the great info!

Thanks, Merlyn!

Congratulations!! That's fantastic. Did you have any other prior patient care experience at all, aside from your CNA clinicals?

It seems pretty difficult, if not impossible, to get hired as a new CNA/PCA at a hospital unless you have at least a year of prior direct patient care experience. So is it safe to say that you have to work in long term care (i.e. nursing home or assisted living) first -- where it's easier to get hired as a new CNA grad -- before ever getting hired at a hospital?

For those experienced with working the overnight shift -- what do you do on your days (actually nights) off and you're trying to keep the same sleep schedule to stay consistent? I'm assuming you would continue to be awake during what would be your work hours, so what do you typically do at home from 10:30 or 11:00 p.m. till 7:00 a.m. (for example) when everyone else is asleep?