"New fish" -- Getting started?

[blackriver753]

A little background... I went through CNA training in Feb and got certified in early March. I'm certified in two states (the one I live in and the one I actually was trained in.)

I'm not entirely sure why I have yet to actually work in the nursing field. Before (and since) becoming a CNA, I've been working food service and retail.

For several months I've been feeling like I'm spending my life doing completely menial tasks that truly help no one.

People have asked me why I have this certification that I paid money and spent time to get that I'm not using.

I also get the occasional "You could make more money if you'd use it" comment but that's not why I got it in the first place.

My sister had long-term kidney failure and died. I took care of her while she was sick, going through dialysis treatments, hospitalizations, and surgeries, and found that I get true fulfillment from doing that kind of thing. Blood, vomit, nor anything else nauseates me. I can handle it.

Anyway, moving on...

Now I'm six months certified and have no health care experience. I've decided to actually work as a CNA now and I'm having absolutely no luck. If there are certain tips and tricks that one needs to be using to land a job, I guess I don't know them. I've heard trying to land other positions in a hospital (such as patient transport) would be a good way to get my foot in the door (even though I don't have much preference as far as the type of facility goes) and I know for a fact that I can do patient transport but have never gotten a call back on that either. Is there a way to get through to Human Resources despite the "We'll call you" automated message you always get after submitting online applications? I don't want to appear as if I can't follow directions but I'm getting nowhere here.

Also, one thing I've heard over and over is about BLS for Healthcare Providers. How can you take that if you're not already a Healthcare Provider?

If anybody here has any advice for me I'd greatly appreciate it. I feel like my spinning wheels are digging me into the mud and I'm ready to pull my hair out.

[yousoldtheworld]

Have you only applied at hospitals? Some hospitals will not hire new aides, and require experience first. If you haven't already, try applying at nursing homes - they generally hire a lot more new aides than hospitals do.

Most nursing homes are also smaller than hospitals, and so it's easier to do things like talk to HR directly. I'd recommend applying in person, or checking on your applications in person at these places, it will make you stand out from other applications.

[SkylerW]

BCLS for health care providers can be took by anyone. Its just more in depth, but its still super easy. I took it when I was a volunteer in a hospital.

[tomc5555]

You do have relatable experience, taking care of your sister. List the skills you used in taking care of her.

Good luck.

[blackriver753]

tomc5555: I can list that? I think if I did I'd almost feel wrong for doing it. I figured I could *possibly* bring that up in the event of a sit down...

yousoldtheworld: My focus has actually been nursing homes. In reflection I probably haven't hit the ball as hard as I could be though. Eventually I'd love to work with kids in some capacity.

SkylerW: What avenues should I check to go about taking it? I live in a relatively big city so I don't imagine it'll be hard. When I tried to register for one online, it required that I name the facility I'm affiliated with so that's what threw me off.

Edit: Something else I forgot... if a potential employer inquires about why I've waited 6 months to look for work in the field, what would be a good response? I've thought up responses to other potential questions (such as "If you have two call lights going off at once, which resident would you go to first?") but I'm having a hard time thinking of a decent way to explain that one.

[blackriver753]

So I took my BLS for Healthcare Providers this morning and got my card. It wasn't hard. There were only four of us in the class.

I think I got a call from a nursing home I applied at but, unbeknownst to me, my voicemail box was full :smackingf so I called and let a message.

The only thing I worry about is the things I may have forgotten since my training class. I spew things off all the time so I know I haven't forgotten much if anything... but one thing I could never do is miter a bed sheet corner. I was thankful that wasn't part of my skills exam and I told myself that I could always get better at it on my own time, and six months later, I've never attempted it again.

Lawd...

Another thing I need to do is write an updated resume. I know most nursing homes don't really call for one, but I think it'd be good to have handy just in case. I'm not sure how to lay it out or how best to target it for an industry change. Resume writing is about the only form of writing I can think of that I'm not too awfully good at. Things to do, things to do...