Tips For New CNA

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Hi everyone!

My name is Leah and I'm 18 years old. I got certified a couple weeks ago and I don't know where to begin! I'm also a pre-nursing student so I start school again in a month. I have never applied for a job before. I have a resume and I know one or two nursing homes I want to apply to. One says to send in a resume, the other has an application. My teacher said to wear my scrubs and hand them in. I don't know what shifts I want. Anyways, I'm a little lost so any tips will be helpful!

Thanks,

Leah

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Specializes in IMCU.

Geez I hope you aren't sorry you asked....

I would not wear your scrubs to hand in applications. I would wear something that is business-like, minimum make-up, conservative shoes, no skirts above the knees, no pants that are not full length, don't show off tattoos or non ear piercings.

As for the resume I strongly suggest that you use the facilities at you school, a job center or a library. Gather together all the information about yourself:

Schools: school name, city, state -- date started & date finished

Employers: name, city, state -- date started & date finished

Any awards or special achievements: what they were for, when the were earned

Extra curricular activities: sports and the level at which you played, were you a a mathlete (you get the idea)

Languages: language spoken and level of fluency

Skills: summarize your computing skills

Other education: list other course taken (CPR, First Aid, leadership blah blah)

Hobbies: no more than 3

You won't necessary use all of this information but you should get it together and type it onto a single document. Use that document as your master document and include former school and employer addresses. You should also start keeping a binder with original education certificates (e.g. your CNA and CPR), original immunizations and TB test records, information on previous employers (address, phone numbers & emails) including more than one contact name of someone who knew you,

Once you have all of this stuff together in one place check out:

Writing Your First Resume

or go to your old school (or a librarian) to get help.

Create one basic resume with absolutely everything about you on it in a standard resume format -- this document you will keep updated for the rest of your life. Every time you add to it re-save it with the most current date -- e.g. today you can call the file master resume July 2010. Then as you go to apply for jobs you simply delete what is not needed and refine your objectives/goals as they relate to the job you are applying. Save the revised resume under the company name and application date (e.g. general hospital_atlanta. If you get an interview bring a couple of copies with you.

Once you have the basics of your resume then you need to get into refining it with interesting personal statements or whatever is the resume stye du jour. Check out the link above.

Do not lie on your resume you will get caught. Get a finished resume together and then proof read it. When you are satisfied that it is ready to be sent -- have two other people proof read it and I mean people that know spelling, grammar, punctuation and style.

Sometimes it is hard to write really pithy stuff about yourself. If you are struggling with that just ask someone (or several people) for help.

That is all I have. Gotta go to bed. Hope this isn't too hard to read I am pretty tired.

Good luck.

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DolceVita gave great advice. I definitely agree to go in person to drop off your resume and fill out an application, and dress professionally, not in scrubs. This is what I did, and a few places interviewed me right on the spot and gave me an offer. For those that don't do that, ask the person who takes your resume if there is a contact person you can call in a few days, and then call that person to confirm that they received your application and express your interest in the position.

Also, I haven't seen this mentioned before, but at several places I applied, I also had to take a CNA quiz. They were very similar to the ones we took in class, but I wasn't expecting it at all. So, when you go to fill out applications, make sure you'll have enough time to take a quiz and possibly interview with someone. Good luck!

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Specializes in IMCU.

Oh yes and congrats on becoming a CNA and welcome to nursing school. Buckle up!

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Oh yes and congrats on becoming a CNA and welcome to nursing school. Buckle up!

Buckle up indeed! DV gave you some fantastic tips, you would do well to follow her advice.

Good luck!

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Yes, definitely do NOT wear scrubs!

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I can send you a Microsoft Word resume template if you want.

I have to disagree with your teacher about wearing scrubs when you turn in an application. Dress like a professional when you're applying for a job and when you're doing a job interview.

You should apply online and apply in person at the places you want to work at.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

I just passed my CNA exam yesterday. I am also a Pre-Nursing I would love some advice as well!!! Congrats OP!!!!! We're CNA's! One step closer to becoming nurses.

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my advice is that Nursing homes can be hard to work in, but rewarding too and you learn a lot....when it gets hard don't give up it will and always gets better.

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