they want a least 6 mo. experience!

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

for every job i apply to.

what if i volunteer somewhere. could that be considered experience? i don't understand how i'm supposed to gain experience if no one is willing to hire me. :crying2:

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Volunteering may help you to get a job at the particular facility you volunteer at. They may see your skills and grant you an interview. It never hurts to know the person that is hiring nor does it hurt if you can find someone willing to recommend you to him or her.

But volunteer experience doesn't count towards the 6 months of CNA experience that other jobs require. Only a paid CNA job would count.

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What kind of jobs have you applied for? If you're starting off looking at hospitals, that might be why you're having trouble. Jobs that need a little more specialized skill or experience have requirements for a reason, although people do get hired on at hospitals right out of class, so that's not a hard and fast rule. It may not be your end-goal but starting in long term care might be a solution. It tends to be easier to get in at a LTC facility and then move on from there if you want to, later on.

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

You're best bet is to try a LTC facility. I was totally against this when I first got my certification, but I am sooo glad I did. There is so many things you can learn, it's well worth the time you have to spend there. I have decided that when my 6 months is up (in September) that I will start trying at the hospitals again. I like my job and have fallen in love with my residents. I wouldn't trade the time I have spent there for anything.

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Try applying to LTC and SNF because they usually hire new grads without experience and then you can start applying for CNA positions at hospitals. LTC and SNF usually pay more than hospital for new grads.

Don't give up because everything happens for a reason.

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Specializes in ICU.

Keep trying! Apply for CNA work in every envinroment - hospitals, LTC, assisted living, home health, agency, private duty, whatever you can! Once you have that intial experience, then you can spend some time thinking through where you really want to work and apply again for the jobs you really want.

Or come to Oklahoma, there are lots of jobs here! ;)

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Assisted living or LTC would be your best bet. Good luck! I know how rough it is out there :(

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I know actually what you're going through......I've been looking for a CNA job for over a year now, I've filled out tons and tons of apps and still nothing and mostly because they want experience :uhoh3: All I can say is don't give up the search there is something out there (at least thats what I keep telling myself) I've been told to volunteer and I've filled out a app for this local Hospital and its been a week since I've sent it to them.....

Anyway Goodluck!

And if you don't mind me asking what State are you from?

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Depends on how you present yourself!

I personally work for the best hospital in my state and started with no experience. They in the top 10 worldwide and one of the few hospitals that are in the black (financially while most are in the red zone)

A lot of places will prefer 6 months to a 1 year experience but they will also bend for the right candidate.

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Specializes in CNA.

Put on your big girl panties and do your time. Accept the fact that you are going to have to put in six months at a LTC facility. Don't put it off. Six months will fly by while you are busy working.

On the other hand, if you spend those six months searching for work and getting nowhere, the days will drag. You will be broke and still not have any experience. Don't delay. Pay your dues.

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