What should I do?

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 19, 2015

Rather than jumping into paying for a course, why not team up with a friend or relative you trust, and practice interviewing? That way, you can get honest feedback about your interview skills. If it's interview skills that are an issue, it's not going to matter how you get your CNA- you may still be beaten out by those who interview better. There are also many resources available online to help prepare for interviews.

valliloves · Aug 19, 2015

Rather than jumping into paying for a course, why not team up with a friend or relative you trust, and practice interviewing? That way, you can get honest feedback about your interview skills. If it's interview skills that are an issue, it's not going to matter how you get your CNA- you may still be beaten out by those who interview better. There are also many resources available online to help prepare for interviews.

This^^^^

HollyMillette · Aug 19, 2015

Oh thank you so much for the insight.

I thought I may be way ahead of myself.

I do tense up and get thrown off when many

managers ask cetain questions. For example

they ask me to describe an experience

where I had to work with other employees

or customers that were difficult to work with

What was the situation and how did I handle

the particular event at hand?

This might not be an issue for me if I had

more work experience.

So maybe I might need to start off even

lower than cna work like dietary, retail,

I have been applying for cashier positions at grocery

stores, pharmacies and have had luck with

getting calls for interviews. So

Rose_Queen thank you so much for your thoughtful

words.

It is hard when you have not worked in

many years, yet I am only 33. I did have

my first job at 15, volunteered for the local hospital then

worked other jobs. I had them jobs little

over a year. I worked until 2005. So

yes I have a major gap in my employment not

looking good on me, but being in school getting

some kind of job to prove my worthiness

to employers should prepare me for my future.

Missingyou, CNA · Aug 20, 2015

~You can use those few jobs that you may have had years ago and pull from those experiences...dig deep into your memory! You can also use volunteer positions.

~Explain your gap in employment. Were you taking care of family? Disability? Time off from working for other interests/volunteered...whatever the the reason. I don't think this would be an issue unless you just leave it blank, without explanation and leave them wondering and thinking the worse.

You could even say something like, most places I've worked at for only a year but, I'm older now and more responsible and will be reliable.

~Also, check into your unemployment office or your state "works" department. Many states will pay for your training once you pass simple tests and requirements. The state I live in (and it isn't so unusual) reimbursed me for my tuition once I began working in a medicare/medicaid facility (nursing home/hospital etc).

~I personally think you're better off getting the training through some place like the Red Cross (especially if you can get tuition assistance from your state) so that you can basically pick and choose the place you want to work....long term care, home care, eventually hospital, assisted living, etc. The nursing home you get your training from will likely require to work for them for a year or so. What will you do if you hate working there??? ..can't quit, you'll be obligated to stay the entire contract or pay a fee.

Besides, it will probably be easier to GET a cna job when you walk in already certified!!

HollyMillette · Aug 21, 2015

Thanks Missingyou I will take this advice

Yes we have a great unemployment office

that helps people get back on track build their

work skills, find jobs build professional resumes

and interviewing techniques. They also

offer educational assistance I believe

or help people to take college courses to

prepare them for the proffessional world.

Thanks again Missingyou for all your help.

I like the idea of the Red Cross they

are one of the best for CNA and phlebotomy training.

I am waiting for a class to start here

they have not had any classes recently.

When they do Ib will surely sign up.

BBboy · Aug 29, 2015

I know youth does definitely play a role depending on your facility as does sex at times (being a male in this field has definitely had its perks for sure). I'm unsure as to why they wouldn't allow you to take the CNA course as normally you are free to sign up barring that you pay the fee to get in, some are even free training (check your local Craigslist). Gaining employment as a CNA is relatively easy as well as there are almost always openings (though hospitals mainly require prior SNF experience, but SNFs will typically take almost any CNA even without experience because the work load leads to a relatively high turn over rate). Continue your search for a CNA course whether it be through a small vocational school or through a cc and you can register as a NAR in the meantime and potentially find an employer willing to hire you with that title

HollyMillette · Sep 1, 2015

Hello, sorry for the delayed response but

thanks so much for your reply. I have

actually taken my CPR/FirstAid training

course and successfully passed it. Now

I am waiting for my certification. I took

it online it was a free course and exam

for both adult CPR and child CPR as well as

First Aid. I have to say it was very interesting.

They even offer a online skills test. Where

you have an adult and child manequin and perform

all life saving skills taught in the videos.

I enjoyed it. I think this is a great field

to get into. So many areas to choose from.