NursingLink

You never get called?  How many times has this happened?

a year with no calls? Where do you live and where have you applied? Maybe if you call them and ask "why?" you can get some feedback.

Another thing to look at is how do you dress when you go in to fill out the application or for the interview. 

I have had people come in to place an application dressed in swats and flip flops. Not a very good impression. Very long fake nails will not go over very well either. Great ideas with showing up for educational programs. That is a fantastic way to network.

You are also correct about limited use of CNAs in hospitals. They are going more with PCTs, MAs and LPNs as you mentioned. They still use CNAs in nursing homes but what hard thankkless work that is.

hjoeljohnson says ...

Ginny, you are always so "Spot On" with your advice and interactions. I agree with everything that you and others have said on this topic. I would  however add, having learned that in recent years the CNA role has been transitioned out of many hospital settings and replaced with MA or LPN. That makes your question about her demographics even more pertinent. I would suggest that she seek out educational programs and inservice that is open to the public at that particular hospital and sign up!  Let them see her in a clinical and critical thinking setting. Many times I hire Nurses and Psych Techs based on the fact that they are willing to invest an afternoon to attend one of my educational presentations. (I assure you they don't come for my dynamic presence) so if they are willing to participate and show me how they think in a mock clinical setting, it can and has swayed my decision to make a recommendation for their direct presentation to HR.  Wonder if that would work for her in this case?

tahnlks for your advice but do let me know what i can do as an improvement pls.

franlky speaking i put in applications got calls back saying they wanted Gna not cna but their advert says cnas so after three months i just gave up looking but now i want to start looking again because i prefer to work in my field than other fields i have been wrking as an assistant manager for quite a while now and i feel its time to move on into my field.

its not that i am sloppy in dressing or otherwise but rather never bothered to persue these apllications after calling and getting no returned calls or after interviews and not getting a placement because i am not experienced and they were looking for people with experience.

i at times took the initiative to let them know that i can do anything because i am very good  good at speedy learning and very multitask in doing things and even asked to work for two weeks just to prove that i can make it and advance but nothing so i just gave up.

thats why i was wondering if anyone knew where i could look knowing they are really looking for CNAs and are ready to work with new people like me and train

Don't know where you live but my girlfriend just got hired as a CNA at Mercy Suburban in Norristown fulltime. You just have to have patience and determination. It's a hard and long process! KEEP APPLYING!

You may have to work in a ltc facility to get experience, before a hospital will hire you.

margaritka says ...

I know a lot of places are moving from CNAs to PCTs, but at least in Illinois, you can get hired into a hospital as a CNA and then go through a work-related job training program, after which you are certified by your company as a PCT. That's the route I'm hoping to take. Some places are offering PCT classes, but my instructor said that those are frequently dodgy because clinical v. instruction hours haven't been totally standardized by states.

 

A CNA job is like any other... stay persistent, be friendly and inquisitive. Ask questions concerning what they are looking for in an employee, and if you are not what they are looking for at this time, ask what methods/roads you should take to get where you want to be. Good luck!

Can you please explain what a PCT is and the diffrience between a CNA and a PCT??? My state dosnt recongize PCT as a title.

PCT is "Patient Care Technician"... they have some skills that CNAs are not required to do, such as Accuchecks and some, I think, can do phlebotomy. There isn't really a standardized program to train PCTs, but you can usually get your certification through the hospital you work at.

Good luck!

after all this while, I have finally got a job but not at a hospital. it is with an agency and am doing live in, they are yet to get me a permanent live in. for now I just started on Thursday last week for a week relieving someone. I cannot wait to get something permanent. It has been nine months since i worked. Does anyone know what a good rate for live in is?

Thank you all for your advice and encouragement to keep looking.

Also, signing up as a voluteer will help you get your foot in the door.  There are many hospitals in my area that you either have to volunteer first to be considered (unofficially) or someone just basically has to refer you to the job.  I started in a nursing home and then a friend of mine refered me to the hospital I work at now.  When a hospital hires a CNA, they train you to do accucheks and depending on the facility, phlebotomy.   

I really appreciate the information on this forum. I have been motivated to look into both CNA...and PCT certification. PCT runs for 5 - 51/2 months inclusive with hospital clinicals. I was advised this was best and fastest method for trying to get a foot into hospital door fastest. Wishing everyone all the best in pursuit of their careers. Stay blessed!!!

I know that it's been maybe 6 months but what got me hired in a hospital is if a  hospital have nursing homes and sometimes working at a place that has many hospital chains can help. Also lots of Catholic hospitals are not picky. Lots of hospitals have training programs for PCT's  and PCP's or Clinical Partners (those are CNA's who draw blood and do EKG's or other duties, those are teaching hospitals) I got trained as a PCT at a hospital and I've been there 7 years but I'm in school for LPN too. I don't know how long you have been a CNA but when I became a CNA I worked agency too for a couple of years and at the agency they also sent me to different hospitals and I was able to get hospital experience that will look good on your resume, because it will give you more experience and maybe you can get aquainted with the hospital nurses or staff and see when they may have openings but you will have to quit the agency if you work full time at the hospital.   Sign up with   Maxim Agency (they are every where) will send you to hospitals and nursing homes.You may can get a contract with an agency to work at   a hospital too,  I know they do them with  with nursing homes and agency's.   They have agencies that only work with hospitals  but make sure you have the experience of at least 6 months of being a CNA.

 If all  else  fails  you can always volunteer at a hospital  1 day a week for 8 hours  and make your presence known there,even if it's just delivering flowers with the hospital volunteers there and put it on the application  and the resume later that you are a volunteer. And tell the volunteers that  if they hear of a job opening to let you know or go to the Human Resource Department and talk with them and they can keep  you informed. If you choose to volunteer there, in that way you may even  meet the CEO  there. (They walk around the hospital all the time.) or talk with the nurses  on different floors, let them know you are a CNA,  because believe me when they need help they will let it be known.  One last thing I forgot some hospitals have Registry CNA. I actually did work registry CNA work  first and then I  worked full time when an opening became available  at  a hospital, that will definitely get you on staff there. Just go online and look up hospital registry for CNA's in your state or town and see what comes up, I hope this helps, and pray!

Just a little info for everyone one way to get your foot in the doors of hospitals is a registary company. You prove your self to the hospital and the dept you want to work for. They will then ask you to sign on.Take my word been in the field for 30 years. At interviews remember hospitals are very stressful places they are looking for someone that can handle this and not let it botherer them. Relax and smile.