realitycheck2013

That was my plan. I can't even get my foot in the door. I wanted to be a CNA so I could gain some experience before I went to RN school. Low pay isn't an issue if it's going to count towards something. I completely agree with you.

I don't have the gas money to volunteer at places. I've applied at places that pay minimum wage, and I got denied due to my lack of experience. I'm going another route, and I will build up some spare cash so I can get into an RN program late next year. I can't apply until January. I'll take my prerequisites while I am working, so by the time they get down to my name on the waiting list, I'll be ready to start. I'm glad the jobs I am going to do are temp jobs in IT maintenance, so when I quit, it would look bad on job application when I do become an RN. I also found out that nursing facilities and hospitals will hire a nursing student to do CNA work rather than someone who isn't in nursing school. Thanks for the advice, but I don't have money to put gas in my vehicle to volunteer. That money goes towards bills, rent, food, and etc. It's also not guaranteed that a facility would hire me if I volunteered. It also wouldn't count towards renewing my CNA. I already stated several times that it is my area, and it's not economically viable for me to relocate to an area that hiring new CNAs for minimum wage, when I can get a job that isn't in that field that pays at least $18 dollars an hour. I would be more than happy to take a pay cut if it that pay cut was going to count towards something.

In California, I need one years experience as a CNA in order to do home care.

The community colleges in California don't count CNA as anything. I would have to start from scratch. My rant is about how screwed up California is.

There aren't any patient observer jobs close to my area.Thanks for the help. I gave up on becoming a CNA , and I am considering the $1000 I spent as a total loss.

I followed up with a care giver agency that I applied for a few days ago, and the hiring manager told me he could not hire me due to my lack of experience. The CNA and BLS cards are going in the trash. The job only paid 8.25 an hour. How in the heck can someone be denied a job for minimum wage that doesn't even require CNA ??? If I knew of a LVN school that would count my CNA towards an LVN program, I wouldn't have consiered it a waste. The CNA cert isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

At least with an ADN or BSN it would be worth relocating. I got a job offer for an unrelated field, so I am going to stick with that.

How long ago was this, and what part of California do you live in?

@ sixela21 Go to an LVN/LPN or RN program. If you can, go directly to a RN program. I did the research too before I started the CNA program, and when I found out I passed the state exam, I applied for jobs that didn't require any experience. I got one interview out of a 100 positions I applied for, and then I got a call saying that I didn't have enough experience. I don't know if my problem is pride, being spoiled, or etc. However, I am not going to beg for a minimum wage job or a job that pays a dollar above it after I have worked years in an industry full-time, making a decent wage, and had benefits. I applied for a job that didn't require experience in the field, and all they cared about is if I had a clean driving record, no convictions, and some years of employment. I got an offer, and I am taking it from there. The only down side is that I have to go to training away from home for a few months. It matches my salary from my previous job and has the same benefits. The reason why I posted this thread is so people won't think a CNA card will land them a job (even one making a dollar or two minimum wage). If you're young, then it's a great start. However, if you're use to making decent money, get laid off from your job, and have bills to pay, then don't fall for the hype. I was ready to work one full-time job as a CNA and go to school to get my LVN license. However, that won't be the case. I recently saw one ad for a CNA position that offered $9.00 an hour, but wanted someone with year of experience. I laughed so hard, coffee came out of my nose. Okay, these employers expect someone to pay hundreds of dollars for schooling in order to get a CNA job that pays minimum wage, and want one year of experience in order to move up to $9.00 an hour.

Is your position called officially called a patient observer? I'm just asking so I can do a job search in the Los Angeles, and Orange county area.

Watch a season of Grey's Anatomy or do some google searches on youtube and you will be alright. You can also go the library and check out an anatomy book. You will need to know about medical terms, abbreviations, the metric system, 24 hour clock, measurements, and dietary terms. Memorize the principles of care too. Knowing anatomy is the least of your concerns unless you're going for an LVN or RN program. You don't need to know anything else until you start jobs and knowing what is needed to be said on the Interview.

I agree with what most of these posters said. Take into consideration the legal aspects. You'll be on your own. I was offered a job like by a friend for her older friend, but I turned it down. BTW, I am unemployed, looking for a CNA job, and I wouldn't even touch it. Once you're a CNA, the whole game changes. It's better for you to stick with that 8 dollars an hour than to risk losing your certification and any chances of becoming an LVN or an RN. If you want some more money, then invest into an LVN program.

It comes with the job. Don't let it get to you. I'm pretty sure that LAPD officers get called worse names for doing their job. Even presidents get called dirty names because people don't feel they are doing their jobs. Don't react back in a negative way, so you can keep your job. You should only be concerned about what your supervisors say about you in writing.

Where at in California?

It depends on where you live. Experience varies. My experience might be different from yours. My thread and post are for people who live in major metropolitan areas in California.