becalee26

I work 30 minutes north of Boston in a pretty wealthy town and I get paid 11 hr base. With the 2nd shift differential is a little more. The city I live in pays a little less.

I am currently a 34 year old CNA on a rehab floor of a LTC facility. I was a stay at home mom for 6 years and eager to start my pre req's for nursing school. Everyone I work with including the nurses are so negative about this career choice. I have never told anyone my plans because I am constantly overhearing conversations about how everyone is going for nursing these days and that there are no jobs ect ect. It's so frustrating and try not to let it get to me but sometimes it's hard. Lately I have been 2nd guessing my career choice. Any one else have to deal with this?

I work on a rehab floor and too many of the nurses are the same you describe and it is really frusterating. All the CNA's are doing dinner with 5 call lights on and the nurses just sit there and gossip. I am so sick of listening to the gossip and what not going on at the nurses desk. Last night we were short staffed a CNA and it was so much worse. I almost wanted to quit.

I think as a new CNA, it is easier to get a job in a LTC Facility first. I did get three job offeres right way but all three in LTC, the hospitals wanted experience. I am very happy that I did get a job at a LTC, but on their sub acute Rehab floor. There are a few long term residents there, but mostly short term rehab patients. My plan is to get a job in a hospital but I am going to stay at my currently job for at least 6 months before I start applying again.

I am in the boston area making 11.00 hr new cna and then I get 1.25 shift differential during the week for 2nd shift and 3.25 on the weekends. Good luck to you! I've been a stay at home mom for 6 years and becoming a CNA was definately the right choice for me and hopefully I'll get into an lpn program in the next year or two.

One month after I had recieved my liscense I ended up with 3 job offers with no experience..I live in the northeast. I work on a sub acute rehab floor..we do have two LTC floors as well. I do plan on trying to get into a hospital but for those jobs around here, I need experience first. Don't give up and good luck...you will find something.

I am doing the LPN first. Everyone keeps telling me to do RN first but i don't really understand why. RN program takes two years, lpn program takes a year and then it's another year for the RN bridge so that's still 2 years regardless. This way I can go to school for a year and then get paid an LPN salary while I finish for my RN. I might work as an LPN for a year before going back for the bridge. I don't feel the need to rush. Do works best for your schedule. Where I am located, you don't know need your CNA first to be an LPN. I guess it depends on the school. Good Luck!

It took me two months after I got my certifcation to get a job. It came up after several interviews and no call backs for a month from other places. Each interview was good experience, definately don't stress out about it and don't assume you get a job. I kept assuming and never got the call back and I was really disappointed for a month. I'm in the boston area. You most likely won't find a Home Care job without a job but doesn't hurt to try.

I just got my first job as a CNA in a Nursing home/Rehabilition center. I plan on working for for 6 months to a year and then try to get into a Hospital. It took me 3 months of job interviews to get the job that I have now. Don't give up hope, keep applying. I know many people don't want the job in a nursing home but if you can do it just to gain some experience will be worth it.

That did also happen to me. I went as far as a 2nd interview for them not to hire me because of lack of experience. I was sooo disappointed because I really thought I had the job which I probably would have if I had the experience. Don't know why they wasted my time for a 2nd interview. Could you just work in a nursing home just for 6 months and then try again for a hospital. That is my plan anyway, to get some experience.

I reallly want to apply to a LPN program but I am worried that it's not going to be possible with having younger children. I am 32 years old and I have a 4 year old and 6 year, the younger one will be in school full time next fall. I have a supportive husband but he leaves the house at 6am and is home at 5pm. He can rearrange his schedule a couple of days whole week. I have no family so would have to be put my kids in before school care. I've been a stay at home for 6 years so the thought to have to put them in before school care at 6:30am every morning is a little overwhelming for me. I know every program is different but can some of you post what your weekly schedule is? If anyone have a situation that is similar to mine and you are making it work, please please share with me your story. Nursing has been a dream of mine but I am so scared to pull the trigger. I am about to start a CNA job so I guess that's a step in the right direction but not somewhere that I want to stay. (Evening program is not an option for me)

I would think that going into a CNA program most people would be aware that they would be coming in contact with BM, urine, and blood . It's a big part of the job description. Being a CNA is not for everyone and if training CNA's have an issue with coming in contact with the BM, urine, and blood then going into the medical field might not be the best carreer choice? Could you take the program again at a different facility? Maybe it was just the teacher and that in another program you'd be fine? I know it's costly and takes up time but if it's something you really want to do then don't give up. Give you mom some time to process. Maybe if you sit down with her and discuss your situation the two of you could come up with your next plan.

Are you only applying online? I have found that is better to walk in and fill out an application. Sorry you are having so much trouble! Hopefully you'll get some good news soon, don't give up.