Secrets for new CNA

Kay51 · Feb 16, 2008

I live in Nc (winston salem area)...no problem finding a job here, some places will even go ahead and hire you before you even get out of school and get certified! I would just recommened going to different places and talking to them..seeing how you like it there things like that. In my class in clinicals we go to nursing homes and hospitals and they talk to us about working there then.

Sarah Bellum · Feb 18, 2008

I'm in Ohio and just got my first job. I took the state this past Friday actually. I have no secrets other than just keep applying. When the HR person called me she said something like "I see you have applied for *several* of our positions..." (emphasis hers).

I think it helps to be as open as possible with scheduling (first vs 2nd or 3rd shift) and some places won't call if you don't have your certificate in hand (one hospital here comes to mind).

Good luck! I'm sure something will come up! If you really don't want to work in a nursing home is it possible for you to hold out a little while for a hospital job?

nasaodds · Feb 19, 2008

I agree with the keep trying. I have applied to every postion within my qualifications at every hospital. My luck would be that I am located between three major universities with nursing programs and several cc and privates schools. The hospital jobs need plenty of experience or an in from your nursing advisor. Unfortunatly I have neither.....YET! :lol2: All in due time.

Hope your state cert. went well and thanks for the response.

Erin

Ky.

RNJess10 · Feb 19, 2008

my friends in Kentucky were able to get jobs in Louisville with no experience fresh out of their CNA certification training, but...I had no luck. I guess it just depends on how desperate they are?

I now live in SC and they only require high school diplomas to work as a "patient care assistant". but I used to work at a nursing home, and I now work in a hospital, and from my experience...they are two different playing fields. good luck!

love_being_an_aide · Apr 4, 2008

Hello! I live in the southern tier of New York State. I do know that in the hospital I work in, they don't call us CNA's, even if we're licensed. Many times hospitals have different titles for their aides. Try searching the job board at the hospitals website. Many of these jobs like you to have a certification, but may not require it. I know that Patient Care Technician, Unit Assistant or Nursing Assistant are three popular titles in New York. Hope this helps!

aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Apr 9, 2008

How proactive have you been in getting these jobs?

I've found that just applying over the internet is not enough. I didn't get any offers or get to talk to anyone until I actually took the time to drive down there. When I got there I found out there's a test I had to take and then I was interviewing that same week.

Driving to the place that you are applying to shows them that you are serious about getting a job there. It says a lot more to HR than if you apply over the internet. :twocents:

tocna2rn · Apr 10, 2008

I am a CNA working in Louisville. I was hired with state certification and no experience. I had been accepted into Nursing School at the time of hire...this seems to be what helped. I was not hired the first time I applied. I ended up getting an interview after being persistant. Good luck on your job search and on getting accepted into nursing school

nasaodds · Apr 13, 2008

I was hired on recently at Jewish downtown. I am trying to decided if if I am going to take the position. I live in Frankfort and am trying to figure out if gas and sitter will balance out of the pay. I also got accepted at St. Joes in Lexington but the position was 7p-7a and I could not take it. Good luck to you. Also were are you going to nursing school. I a applying to JCC and K State here in Franfort.

SNA1226 · Apr 26, 2008

Do some LTC for just a bit to get some experience. I now have 4 months experience and have been offered a job at Baptist

ILClaire · Apr 27, 2008

I live here in Rockford, Illinois....I had no problems becoming a CNA right out of the test! I applied online to the 3 big hospitals here in the area...waited 2 weeks with no response. I then did an resume and walked each of them in to the HR dept. in person. I was actually interviewed and hired on the spot.

So my advice would be to make sure that you are willing to be available all three shifts, which makes it easy to put you in a float pool/on call where I started, and walk your resume in...no internet!! After 2 months of float pool and for 9 years now I have been working on the Critical Care floor. I just love it!