Can I Become A Cna Even Though I’m Only A Student?
A little background: I’m currently finishing up my nursing pre-reqs; I will apply to nursing school for Fall 2010.
I have no job, nor do I have any job experience. I have applied for so many retail, fast-food, other typical teenage, jobs, got some interviews, but I’m still jobless.
I want some $$ of my own, but I’m just so discouraged with my (no) job situation. So… I’ve read that the CNA program lasts a few months and you can find work right away after that. Is that true?
Should I enroll in a CNA program while I’m finishing up my Microbiology & chemistry classes so I can start working and earn some money?
Would a mere student like me, one that has no job experience, be OK for the CNA program, and will I get hired by nursing homes/hospitals, realistically speaking?
My CNA program was all day, so it only lasted a month. It was very easy, so if you have the time, do it. I live in Washington State, and it took a couple months before my test (I enrolled in the soonest one available). I sent in my application the day after the test and it was only supposed to be a couple months to process my application, but it took about 6. And this was after me calling repeatedly and harassing them to push it through.
The nursing program I’m getting into requires you to get your certification before starting the program. If you need this, you should get on it asap.
I have been unable to get a job at a hospital, despite having experience working at a nursing home and over a thousand direct patient care volunteer hours at a hospital. They usually require experience, and even if the job description doesnt say that experience is required, they rarely hire without it. It is pretty easy to get a job at a nursing home, but this job is not for everyone. I hated it, and the pay isn’t much better than working at McDonalds or something. Mental health clinics and psychiatric hospitals sometimes hire without experience and are less competitive in my experience.