recent grad CNA student...

TazziRN, RN · Oct 20, 2007

Um.......CNAs don't take state Boards. You take cert exams.

jaytek13 · Oct 20, 2007

Most people find it much easier to get into a long term care facility right off the bat rather than a hospital. Most hospitals require at least 6mo. - 1yr of experience before they'll hire you. Also, many long term care facilities pay a higher hourly wage, although you give up the benefits unless you're full time. And at a hospital they will often reimburse part of your tuition (and sometimes all of it) if you going for nursing.

Personally, my opinion, since you will be continuing your education, would be to try and get into a hospital first. Otherwise you can always just build up experience in LTC and apply to a hospital later.

aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Oct 23, 2007

Check out different places in your area.

I got hired into a hospital and was working 2 weeks after my CNA graduation.

Also in my area, the hospitals pay about $3.00 per hour more than LTC facilities.

It all depends on where you live.

jazz404 · Oct 25, 2007

I'm 37 and changing careers into nursing also. I'm starting my ADN program in January and can't wait! I went the CNA (STNA in Ohio) route to get some experience and earn some $ while attending school.

I worked three months in an Nursing home while applying for positions in the local hospitals. I really didn't care for the Nursing Home work and since my ultimate goal is to work as Nurse in Surgical areas, I was hoping to get into a hospital. Well, that finally happened and I'm so happy that it did. I work on a med/surge floor and do everything I did in the nursing home plus 100x more! I'd suggest you try to get into a hospital - from my point of view, the experience is just a lot better.

You might even want to ask around at the local hospitals or nursing homes to see if you can shadow a nurse assistant for a day to see what each is like.

Good luck!

Billsgirl, CNA · Oct 28, 2007

very similar situations here...including the age! i'm 37, completed my cna class in july, and passed the illinois state exam in september. aero, i'm jealous that you got a job so soon after your class!!!:)

i have been filling out applications since the day before my last cna class, literally have over 15 apps. at one place, and i finally got an interview, with my second interview last week! now i'm waiting ( and suffering kinda!) to see if i got the job! it's pca on a med./peds. floor, and i really want it!

my opinion is that i will learn a lot more in a hospital, and i know the experience will help me in school as well. i start my bsn program fall 08. i think it depends on what you are looking for, i have been told nursing homes hire cna's without experience before hospitals do, but i haven't given up!!

either way, best of luck, and i am soooo glad that there are women "my age" in the same stage as me in this pursuit of nursing!!:)

chesara · Oct 28, 2007

Add me to the list of older people starting a nursing career! I just turned 40, in school for LPN, and will be taking a CNA course in January so that I can get some experience and income while in school. Good luck everyone!