how to work in a hospital as an aide at 19?

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i am 19 and in my second year of school to become a nurse with a BSN degree. right now i am at my community college finishing up all my general courses and things like that in the fall i will be going to a university near my home to get my BSN. I wana start working at a hospital as a aide or CNA but i am not certified when i applied it said "will train non medical professionals on the job" does this mean i have a chance to get the job? what are some ways that will help me get the job as a nurses aide? thank you!

Does anyone know of any CNA classes in PA near wilkes barre that i can take CNA classes?? or any classes/schools at all?

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Specializes in ER, Trauma ICU, Peds ICU.

Yes you have a chance, but I would suggest taking the two week course to get certified as a CNA. That would give you a better chance.

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What does being 19 have to do with it?

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If the job post said it will train non-medical professionals and you are going to be in nursing school, it seems like you'd have a shot at the job. You'll have to wait and see if they call you back. Where I live, most hospitals will let you work as an aide if you have completed one semester of nursing school clinical OR you have a CNA certification. The CNA class at the American Red Cross is 6-7 weeks.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I know in Canada to be a nursing aid it's a one year course at a community college. I know America is a bit different, you can go to community college and get a degree whereas here you can only get a degree from a university; however, the fact that you have already started your nursing career, doing the prerequired courses and having, from what I'm guessing, a relatively solid educational background you have a better chance than most other unregulated staff. Nursing aids are an unregulated profession meaning that anyone can technically do it, so your prospects look very good! Just be sure to let them know you're a nursing study!

Good luck! Let us know the outcome!

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What does being 19 have to do with it?

Being 19 has nothing to do with it. She just mentioned her age in her post.

D'uh.

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Being 19 has nothing to do with it. She just mentioned her age in her post.

D'uh.

Actually, the OP stated in the title, "as an aide at 19", so yes, it is implied that being 19 has something to do with the question.

So D'uh to you.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Well being 19 eithe increases her chances of getting hired or decreases. Depends on the position, wheather shell be working in an old age area or a hospital area with younger people. It also depends on unions. I tried to apply as a nursing aid at a retirement home but they said the union doesn't allow students. Random I know, but I guess that could influence her chances of getting the job.

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I put my age because like someone else metioned some places wont hire younger people for big companys. A lot of hospitals are looking for someone older with more experience and dont want to hire a young person still in school and who will still be going to school so i put that because it might make a differance to this hospital and since i dont have hospital experience i felt it would be an important part if they would hire me or not. Plus some places dont feel young people have the time, experience, or patience to work with their patients or residents, it sounds bad but thats just how some places are because i know some nurses and they also told me this.

Thanks everyone i was looking into the red cross but i cant seem to find the actual classes in my area just the CNA test to become ceritfied. I was wondering can i "challenge" the test and take it without taking CNA classes? If so, how hard is the test?

My community college does offer classes but their only once a year and they go for the whole year which would suck for me since i am also in school still.

I do have experience with my grand parents both being in and out of hospitals and both were on plug tubes and i would do them for them plus helping with meds, going to the bathroom, getting dressed, i know how to do BP and temps and know how to operate most equipment in hospitals and how to lift people in and out of beds and stuff

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Specializes in neurology, cardiology, ED.

It sounds like you probably could challenge the CNA test without taking the course, based on your experiences with your grandparents. I would look into doing that, but don't sweat it too much... probably whoever hires you will want to train you "their" way as well. Something no one else mentioned that is probably a good idea to do would be to get your BLS certification. You'll need it for nursing school anyway, and it would make your application that much more attractive to employers.

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Thanks! Im thinking about just challenging the test and see what happens. I already am certified in CPR/AED for the professional rescuer by the american red cross, i learn CPR, AED use, wound care, how to get objects out of a throat, things like seziures and wounds stuff liek that. Im not sure if thats the same the BLS certification but I am going to look into it and see about taking the class if need be.

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Thanks! Im thinking about just challenging the test and see what happens. I already am certified in CPR/AED for the professional rescuer by the american red cross, i learn CPR, AED use, wound care, how to get objects out of a throat, things like seziures and wounds stuff liek that. Im not sure if thats the same the BLS certification but I am going to look into it and see about taking the class if need be.

I'm not sure you can challenge the CNA test in PA. I just found this information on this website: http://i.nursegroups.com/nursing-article/pennsylvania-cna-certification-pa.html

"Required Hours for Pennsylvania CNA Certification

In Pennsylvania, you are required to complete a minimum of 75 hours of CNA course work and 100 hours of clinical rotation before challenging the state CNA licensing exam. The nurse aide classes typically last 2-6 months. Individual schools often have special requirements to begin the training program."

I also just wanted to add that when I took the CNA test years ago before I went to nursing school, they were very strict about performing the skills step-by-step by the book. Even if you are able to challenge the test without taking the course, you might want to see if you can get your hands on a course book to review the skills the "book way".

Or maybe you will get lucky and will get this job you applied for without having to take the test at all. :)

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