The impossible task...

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Specializes in Pediatrics, HIV.

...of finding a job in New York City as a new nurse assistant with no prior experience.

Please, someone give me a little advice. I'm close to crying from the frustration this has caused me for the past few months.

Ramble Warning:

In April I passed my State Boards and transferred my certification over to New York State. I moved here in May and have been obsessively searching for any sort of CNA position in this city. I don't care if it's in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, etc. I'd even be willing to travel to Jersey City or Hoboken if I was offered a position there.

I took initiative and started volunteering at an HIV pediatric clinic in Brooklyn. The staff is amazing and they're really happy to have my help. However, I'm un-employed and my funds are slowly but surely draining. Soon I'm going to have to stop volunteering for a while because I just cannot afford to take two trains to get to Brooklyn once or twice a week when I have no source of income.

Everyone wants 6 months to a year of experience! Even the staffing agencies and nursing homes want experienced CNAs. I don't want to settle for a food service position or something, I worked hard to get certified and will start school next spring to pursue my dream of becoming a Registered Nurse. Besides that, it's even difficult to find ANY sort of job, let alone one I am certified to actually do!

I'm sorry for the long winded post, but I honestly don't know what to do.

What are some tips? Are there any good sites to go to? Does anyone know of any places that do hire new CNAs or know someone who knows someone?

I feel so incompetent and stupid for choosing to be a CNA right now.

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What about becoming a home health aid? Normally agencies hire those with no experience. I live upstate and in my area agencies will convert your CNA for an HHA with no experience. Too bad you're not in Orange County. We're about 100 miles from you but Nursing homes here hire new CNA's all the time.

Hang in there and good luck.

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First off, you are getting experience even tho its pediatric. Talk to the people you are doing Volly work with and see if one of them can give you a recommendation for a friend or something. They know how your work, they'll gladly help out a friend with a good worker. It's easy to circumvent requirements with knowing the right people. If they know no one, get a letter of recommendation. Also look into doing Volly work at a hospital in the area. Thats a nice foot in the door, AND experience.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, HIV.

Well, it's a bit disorganized because it is part of a non-profit program. I've talked to the nurse and one of the doctors I work with and they are going to do what they can. The nurse is going to write me a letter of recommendation and I volunteer every week, so that counts as experience.

My concern is that I do not have the funds to just volunteer in multiple places when I have no source of income. I'm looking into home health agencies for the time being and will also consider doing some volunteer work in a hospital.

I'm starting school next spring, so I'm really just trying to get everything in order.

Thanks for the responses. If anyone else has any words of encouragement or tips, please feel free to post.

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Specializes in CNA II/Telemetry Technician.

Are you applying anyway? I have been told by CNA's who have been working 10+ years that if a hospital or home is posting that they need CNA's they are desperately needing them. If it says they want experience, apply anyway but go into the interview and say that no, you don't have any experience but you are ready to work hard and are ready to give it everything you have. I think that is more attractive in a worker than one that is jaded and already set in their ways.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, HIV.

Yes, I have been applying to places that ask for six months to a year of experience anyway. I have yet to get any call-backs for interviews from them though. I'll go ahead and look a little harder to see who is hiring in the area. There have been times when I have passed up applications because of the lack in experience.

It's worth a shot though, I guess. :)

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hello the-wren,

i know of an agency that is hiring for cna's. you do not need experience, however, you do need a deposit which is $140. if you are interested just let me know.:[anb]:

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hello the-wren,

i know of an agency that is hiring for cna's. you do not need experience, however, you do need a deposit which is $140. if you are interested just let me know.:[anb]:

a deposit? why would a deposit be needed?

sounds fishy, imo.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, HIV.

A deposit? I have already contacted a few agencies that don't require experience and will train you to do home health for free. So, no thank you in regards to having to pay money just to work.

It's really disappointing that I went through all of the trouble to obtain my CNA when I will most likely end up working as a HHA just because I have zero experience. I really can't say I'm too surprised, but I wish I had made a different decision. All of that money and worry and effort.

P.S. I don't have $140 to spare in any case.

At least in January I will be starting school to become a nurse.

Thanks for all who offered advice.

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Specializes in 6 yrs LTC, 1 yr MedSurg, Wound Care.

I just wanted to make sure that YOU were calling THEM instead of waiting for a call back. Most places wait for you to follow up so they know you are serious.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, HIV.

Oh! You know, when I apply for actual CNA positions I do wait for a call and don't usually call them. So it is a good idea to call? Who would I call exactly? I'm guessing I would just call HR to inquire about my application status. A friend of mine just recently said that it might be a good idea to do that, especially because it puts my name in their head which can possibly lead to an interview.

I do have a couple interviews this week (not CNA interviews, unfortunately) an I'm still applying to various places. I'll start calling some of the places I applied to last week.

Thank you! :)

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It might be a good idea to call a list of different nursing homes. Some of them don't post online, I would call an hr department. Though, I have not finished my CNA classes I've already called a few places ahead. Ironically, I'm going to do clinicals at one of the places. I think that you should sit down, make a list of places you would like to work at, and call to find out how to apply. Once you apply, wait a week or two and send out thank you cards or emails. Keep checking "the status" making yourself relevant. Sometimes, they don't know they need you.

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