Should I get 6 mo-1 yr experience before applying for hospital?

verene, MSN · May 20, 2014

Try getting the 6 months to year experience before applying if that is what all the local jobs want. While working another job if that is what you need to do try volunteering at one of the hospitals you are interested in, frequently they fill jobs for CNAs and other lower level support staff from internal sources, so you only even find out about the opening if you already are talking to people on the inside. That has worked for a couple of friends of mine... one was a regular volunteer and his unit knew he was getting a CNA certificate and asked him to come interview, the other worked food service for the hospital and used that to network while getting her CNA certificate and then was on good terms with a department manager who offered her a job in that unit. The volunteering route does NOT garuntee a job, but can give you good insight in how to nail the interview once you are able to apply to hospitals,.

Paws2people · May 20, 2014

Apply everywhere. Don't give up. You have nothing to lose applying to hospitals. So many people at mine got the position without having any experience first. Best of luck.

OwlieO.O · May 20, 2014

Just apply at six months. If they don't hire you, then you're not losing anything, and you can still apply at one year.

SeattleJess · May 20, 2014

Here in Seattle every single hospital CNA job requires at least 6 months experience. I can see why - a hospital requires maximum skill and productivity and bottom line, breaking in a new CNA is more expensive than hiring experienced staff.

Don't feel bad. Every line of work has its "paying your dues" curve. You can still keep trying for those hospital jobs but work just as hard on other CNA positions in long-term care and detox centers and whatever else will take brand new CNAs. Six months will fly by, I'm sure. And don't get discouraged if it takes you awhile to get that CNA job in long-term care. I've been dedicated for more than three months and am only just now getting my first telephone screen and in-person interviews. An actual job is still on the horizon! Just look at every rejection as an opportunity to learn and to get better. I'm convinced it was the never-ending tweaks I gave my resume and cover letter that finally got me in.

As to that, here's a good source for resume tips: Resume Writing - How to Write a Masterpiece of a Resume

There are a gazillion sample CNA cover letters on the internet.

Of course, I'm right there in your shoes, a new CNA who wants to work in a hospital. Undoubtedly we'll both get better advice from others who have been through it and landed on the other side.

"Never give up, never surrender!"

SeattleJess · May 20, 2014

So many people at mine got the position without having any experience first. Best of luck.

Paws2people, where do you live and work? Maybe I'll move there!

:sneaky:

Missingyou, CNA · May 21, 2014

Plan to put in AT LEAST 6 months in LTC before getting into a hospital. You can continue to apply while working your 6 months in LTC. It's better to at least start "paying your dues"/"doing your time", in LTC and getting the needed experience then avoiding it all together in HOPES that you'll get in a hospital job without it, because chances are, you need the experience first.

mee9mee9 · May 23, 2014

Plan to put in AT LEAST 6 months in LTC before getting into a hospital. You can continue to apply while working your 6 months in LTC. It's better to at least start "paying your dues"/"doing your time", in LTC and getting the needed experience then avoiding it all together in HOPES that you'll get in a hospital job without it, because chances are, you need the experience first.

Does assisted living count too?

Paws2people · May 23, 2014

Paws2people, where do you live and work? Maybe I'll move there!

New York :-)

For the record, to my surprise nursing homes weren't as interested in hiring me as hospitals. I got 3 calls back from hospitals (of course one was months AFTER I was hired at mine lol). In the end I got hired at 2 big ones, and had my choice between them. I say just keep applying to anything you are interested in; LTC, Assisted Living, Psych Hospitals, regular ones, Rehab, the VA, etc. It can't hurt. My hospital says they want experience in their ads too... BUT they make exceptions all the time. I'll say it again: APPLY EVERYWHERE you have nothing to lose. Maybe you'll get a nursing home job, maybe you won't. It can't hurt. Best of luck :)

nursey909 · Jun 5, 2014

Keep applying I literally went online everyday and looked on each hospital website close to my home.I was.seeing if they.were hiring cnas I have no acute care experience BUT I was called in to an interview in a local hospital and.I got hired! I start next week :-) don't give up!!!

hookyarnandblanket · Jun 6, 2014

I would wait and get experience. We've been training a practically band new CNA at the hospital where I work and even though we are a very small hospital, she is struggling with the myriad of routines and procedures we perform. I started there over 6 months ago with 2 years of LTC experience and it was easy for me to catch on.

Dancingqueen94 · Jun 18, 2014

I would not give up on applying at local hospitals, but don't completely leave LTC facilities out of the picture. I have worked at a LTC facility for 3 years (one of which I solely worked as an activities aide, and continue to do so. The other two years I have also worked as a CNA) and I have gained an incredible amount of experience. I think the LTC facility gave me the opportunity to really practice my skills and perfect them at my own pace. In a hospital, I think it is much more fast paced and you are expected to have the basic CNA skills under your belt while also taking on a few more responsibilities you wouldn't necessarily have in a care facility. You never know though! Don't give up and keep applying!