Question for CNAs in the valley

JessLP · Sep 12, 2008

Just bumping to see if anyone has any insight.

TinkRN8 · Sep 12, 2008

So I've decided to become a CNA while I wait to get into nursing school. I'm ready to get out of my current field and merge into health care. This seems like a good way to get started.
I have a couple of questions:
Does anyone know if Scottsdale Health Care will hire new-grad CNAs? I want to go to school at Scottsdale Community College so Scottsdale Health Care would be a convenient place to work.
Assuming that Scottsdale Health Care does hire new-grad CNAs, does anyone know what the average salary is for CNAs at Scottsdale Health Care?
Does anyone know of any agencies that will hire new-grad CNAs for part-time work? I think I'll probably have to supplement my work at Scottsdale Health Care (assuming I can get hired there) with a couple of extra shifts somewhere else.
Thanks, y'all!

Yes, SHC does hire new grads. The only problem is there aren't a whole lot of CNA positions available right now. You can always call the HR department and see if there are any openings not posted on the job board. In regards to supplementing, I know that Banner is a bear to get into if you are a new grad, they want you to have previous experience first. I had a friend who applied to multiple openings at Banner and they wouldn't even call her back....until she got a job at a nursing home. She had only been working there 3 wks and Banner all of the sudden started calling her to offer her a job. I think they just want to see that you have worked as a CNA prior. You can also try other hospitals such Gilbert Mercy, etc. Otherwise, the nursing homes are always looking for CNA's.

Good luck!

JessLP · Sep 12, 2008

Thanks for your help!

I figure that if it gets too tough to get hired at SHC as a CNA I can look into the PCT course at Phoenix College. I know that there are a lot more postings for PCTs than for CNAs. I really have my eye on SHC, though, especially since they're so close to the college that I'm attending and I hear that they'll pay for nursing school if you work for them, too.

TinkRN8 · Sep 12, 2008

Thanks for your help!
I figure that if it gets too tough to get hired at SHC as a CNA I can look into the PCT course at Phoenix College. I know that there are a lot more postings for PCTs than for CNAs. I really have my eye on SHC, though, especially since they're so close to the college that I'm attending and I hear that they'll pay for nursing school if you work for them, too.

No prob! SHC is so awesome. I don't work for them, nor have I ever worked for them, however, I have a lot of personal experience with them...let's just say I was a guest for an extended period of time last summer...:). I also have a lot of friends that work there. Their HR department is so nice and helpful. I had been applying to jobs there that I was totally unqualified for....:chuckle, and rather than just ignoring me or sending me the form "sorry we don't need you" email, I actually had an HR rep email me giving me advice on how to best get a job there. He is the one that recommended RSAA to me to get my CNA. I also went to their job fair in April or May. Plus, if you can get on, yes they do hold slots open for employees at SCC. Unlike Banner, they don't require you to commit to working for them when you graduate either. I really wanted to work for SHC, however, they just don't "specialize" in what I want to go into...NICU.

You do know that you have to have your CNA cert before you can apply to the PCT program at PC? I have looked into that program as well. However, if you get on as a CNA at one of the SHC hospitals, they will train you to be a PCT for free.

JessLP · Sep 13, 2008

I've never been a patient at SHC, but my boyfriend was there for nearly a week and the vast majority of the staff were wonderful. I think that he got better care there than any hospital I've ever seen before.

You do have to be a CNA to enroll in PC's PCT program, so I assume that you need your CNA license to apply for it.

I'm going through RSAA for my CNA and really hope to get hired on as a CNA at SHC as soon as I'm done, but if I need to do the PCT to get more competitive I guess that's what I'll do.