You were a CNA, were you hired as a nurse after graduation at your institution?

[PedsRN1975]

Ok so let's try this, since we are on the job seeking mode for the new grads. How many of you that were as CNA during nursing school were hired upon graduation, or the opposite, how many were not? I know that generally the rule used to be that if you worked as a CNA you were kind of assured a job. It would interesting that now with the economy being the way it is, if the same unspoken rules apply.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

In not in CA, I'm in PA, but I was hired as a RN at the facility I used to be a PCT at. I did, however, apply other places (and get job offers).

[PedsRN1975]

That is very wrong, and I am so sorry that this happened to you. I hope we don't work for the same hospital cause every time I aproach a manager they keep telling me that they don't know whether they will be able to hire me upon graduation. What more can we do for this people for them to hire us. If they have certain number of spots we should be priorities, not only that they already know our work ethic but they also can see that we can handle overwhelming schedule with school and work. I really don't get this... Again I'm really sorry, I hope you find an institution that gives you the respect you deserve.

[tauries]

Yeah it's happening to me at this very moment....

This is in Hawaii not in Cali...

I have been a CNA over 2 years I have graduated since last Jan passed my boards in Nov, and I have been applying like crazy in the hospital I work for and yet, I have been rejected so many times. There were people who've only worked there for about a month or so, and they were able to get into the new grad program. How messed up was that! I emailed the HR and wondered why I haven't been accepted into the new grad positions, and they told me that those positions will be for the current new grads who supposedly is not guaranteed a job. It's really stupid. I want to quit because I can't stand being a nurse's aide and I'm so overqualified. But a friend of mine told me not to quit because if I quit I end up not being in the system and my chances of getting into the next new grad program will be slim. I'm hurt by all of this because I have worked so hard for them and yet they can't even give me a position as an RN.

[fragino]

Working at a facility as a CNA or a trainee or whatever while you're going to nursing school is like a going through a long job interview and probationary period. If they are hiring new grads and not you, perhaps they did not get the right impression from you.

If, fortunately, you are still working there, you have a second chance. Try to find someone who will give you an HONEST assessment and will tell you what you need to do to change their impression.

I've written more "performace reviews" than I care to remember before I came into healthcare. They usually mean nothing. On the other hand, if they do mean something in your facility, then your performace evaluation was on how well you do your job as a CNA. However, when they found out that you were going to nursing school, they are doing another kind of performance review. They're not only measuring on how well you do your job as an assistant, but also how good is your potential to be a nurse.