CNA positions in burbs (homes, employment, school)

[gardener34]

I know this seems like it would fit better in work and employment but I was area specific responses to this question:

I am thinking (possibly maybe) of getting a CNA certification. However, my quandary is this, most of the jobs I see require a year or two experience with healthcare ... I have been told that work with the elderly tends to be more lax on the 1-2 year requirement - is this the case?. Which would be fine since I would not mind working with the elderly as I have spent much time in nursing homes over the last decade with various relatives.

If I am going to spend the $ to get the training and get registered, I want to be able to work right away in the field... not wait years for something to open up. I would like to work in a hospital setting or a doctor's office eventually but am finding that no one will hire you without medical terminology or hospital or health care experience. There seems to be NO entry level - how the heck does someone get a job in a hospital other than food service or housekeeping?. I do have admin. asst. experience. Would a CNA certification + health care work experience help in this regards?

I will not care much about pay (I know it is very low) obviously the first couple years. Anyone know anything about this field and how it is in our particular area (suburbs)? Any potential tips for me or where to take classes. I checked our community college but their CNA certification classes fill up very very quickly I am thinking of getting private training as it is faster. They are not that much more expensive than a C.c.

Thanks for all your help.

[purplesky]

Don't worry, healthcare isn't like other careers--there's always plenty of jobs, overtime, and shifts!

There are a lot of colleges (Harper, Triton, Oakton) that offer CNA certificates. I believe it usually takes 6 mos or less to get it. If I were you, once you are enrolled in the medical terminology course, I would apply at one of your area hospitals for any job in customer support such as a clerical or customer service, that is if you need a job at this time. A lot of hospitals will pay for your education if you are already working for them.

Once you have your certificate, there will be no problem finding a job. I checked the Alexian Brothers website, and there were a lot of jobs on different shifts.

One important thing to remember--if you decide to enroll in the CNA program, you have to attend a mandatory information session. Do not be late! My friend enrolled for nursing school at Harper, and she said that the people who were even a minute late for the program were denied entry at that time.

Good luck!

[gardener34]

Thanks our local hospital currently has slim pickings... I understand they are under a hiring freeze. (won't say which one) but I notice other hospitals have more openings. As well as convalescent homes. There is a local home that offers free CNA classes if you work for them for a certain amount of time. But you have to interview to get into the class - and they probably won't want me cause I am not a young college student. so I am not betting on that... although I am sure gonna try to get into it.

Thanks.

[purplesky]

Don't sell yourself short! Most hospitals have no problem hiring 18 year olds. In fact, my friend went to nursing school when she was 40. A hospital would be better than a local office or clinic-pay is better and benefits are better.

[doli123]

i ahve to cna and nle.pre entrance exam . but i do not have money for that. can alexian brother can pay me for that. harper colleage told me if i wants to go rn ,alexian brother hospital will pay for rn.anita doli123@aol.com

[doli123]

I do not have money for cna certification and pre entrance exam for nursing.
anita

[yankeegirl313]

After I got my license, I went to work at our local hospital, but I had experience with working with the elderly through nursing homes, prior to putting in the app.
Thats basically where I put my 6 month training in, but I personally did not like it. I found it to be overwhelming, and not at all what I had in mind.
I found myself trying to care for 18-25 people a day, plus passing out breakfast and lunch trays, taking blood sugars, all the vital signs twice a day, plus...changing the linen on their beds. Whew! All for $10 bucks an hr. No thanks!
I work in homehealth care now, and its more what I was looking for.
I took my CNA training through the Red Cross. Good Luck.