Looking for CNA Employment
When looking for CNA employment, there are a few things you will need to keep in mind before beginning your search. Some things will require a bit of preparation and others you will just need to organize and get ready. When it comes time for the job interview, being prepared with all the required information will show that you are a dedicated and organized individual who is well-prepared for a job as a CNA.
The first thing you will need to do when looking for CNA employment is to make sure that you have your certification. Most institutions will require that you have received some sort of certification before they will hire you. It is possible to get work as a CNA if you have a lot of experience in lieu of education. Just make sure you get your references ready. As well, if you have received education in the health care field that is similar or even more advanced than a CNA , such as a nurse, then you will most likely be more than qualified for the position.
Gather together the necessary credentials and documents. To be ready to apply for a CNA job, as with any other job, you must be prepared. Put together your resume including references and certification credentials along with a cover letter and have it ready to go for when you need to send it somewhere. Be sure and tailor make your cover letter to suit the individual job you are looking for. i.e. address it to the specific individual mentioned in the employment ad, refer to details in the ad in your cover letter, etc. For more information on preparing a CNA resume and cover letter including samples, please see our previous post.
Begin your CNA job search by looking through local newspaper employment ads and professional health care periodicals. Also do a search online through employment sites. You can enter your data in there as work wanted as well. It’s good to have this out there in case a potential employer comes to the site and is searching through resumes for a CNA .
Other options for looking for CNA work include sending your resume and cover letter out as a cold call to various human resource departments at a variety of hospitals, doctor’s offices, and retirement homes. If you are still having difficulty finding a CNA job then you can also take your resume in to a head hunter. Some head hunters will charge a fee to the potential employee for their services, but most will charge their fee to the potential employer instead.
The most important thing to remember when looking for CNA work is to get yourself out there. Tell as many people you know that you are looking for a CNA job. Post it on message boards, post it at online employment search sites, send out a ton of resumes and give your resume to head hunters as well. Tell your own physician that you are looking for work. Maybe he or she will know of another doctor who is looking for a CNA in their office. The more you put into your search, the quicker you will see a positive outcome.
One final point about looking for CNA employment is that you should do a test run on the interview process. Put yourself in a potential employer’s shoes and think about what kinds of questions you would ask a potential employee. Get a family member or friend to give you an interview to see how well you respond to the questions. Be confident in your answers and practice.
Dedication in this regard really pays out in the long run. Preparation is key to a successful job search as a CNA worker as well as with any career. Good luck!
First Steps in Finding CNA Work
So, you’ve just graduated as a CNA. Congratulations! Now the fun can begin. You must now put your efforts towards getting a job as a CNA Nurse. Finding CNA work is not that difficult if you have your qualifications all ready and organize your job search methods.
The time to find CNA work is now. Don’t let the ink dry on your CNA nursing certificate! Get busy and send out resumes now. The longer you wait to get going on this task, the harder it will become. It may appear to prospective employers that you are not the first choice from the graduating class if you wait for several months before beginning your CNA job search. If you do have reasons to wait before you begin the application process, then be sure you have good reasons that you can explain easily should the subject come up.
First steps in looking for CNA work should be by preparing your resume. State your goals, skills, qualifications, education and past work. Have copies of your CNA certificate handy should you be asked for a copy. Gather together references from people you can trust to speak well of you. Have these at the ready for when you are asked for references.
Now that you have all your paperwork in order, finding CNA work should go much smoother. You can now begin the exciting journey into looking for a job that you will be happy and succeed in.
As you look for CNA work, keep track of everything that you apply for. If you are searching for CNA jobs online, be sure and save all jobs you find in a bookmark. If you are using various sites to find jobs, you will need to track these yourself, otherwise the site may help you by keeping track of favorited jobs and jobs applied for. To track online jobs quickly and easily, a good idea is to keep two specific bookmark folders. One for CNA jobs you are interested in applying for and one for CNA jobs that you have already applied for. You can easily move a link from one to the other, once you have applied for the job. When saving the link in a folder for a job that you have applied for, add the date to the link so you know at a glance when you applied. Keep this folder so that you can easily refresh your memory of a particular job should you get called for an interview.
For the resume application process, if you are using email exclusively, then save each emailed application in a folder for easy reference. You may need these for a follow-up email or if you are called for an interview, you will want to refresh your memory on details of the specific job you are interviewing for.
Some jobs will prefer that you fax or mail in your application. If this is the case, keep the paperwork in a paper folder for referencing. If you find CNA work listed in the want ads of a newspaper or periodical, then you can also keep these original clippings in the same folder. Make note of how you sent in your application (i.e. mail, email, fax) and the date as well.
If possible, you can also make an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of all jobs you’ve applied for. This may sound a little like a make-work project, but trust me, it will pay off in the long run. If you are applying for jobs from a variety of methods, then you will be better on top of things had you not done this. When sending in cold call job applications, you will want to keep track of those as well. To make up an easy spreadsheet, put columns across the top listing the following: Company (if known), Job Title, Where Found (i.e. URL, newspaper name & date, cold call, etc.), Application Deadline, Date Sent in, Method (email, mail, fax), Contact Name/Number. Then in each row, keep track of each and every job that you’ve applied for. If you hear back a “No” from one, then you can highlight that row grey. If you do a follow-up call about the job, then add another column in for that.
Keeping track of your CNA job process will help you from duplicating any efforts (some companies will list their want ad both onlie and in the newspaper!) and make you be much more prepared for an interview. Not only will you feel more prepared for the interview, but it will also come through to the person interviewing you that you are very organized and possibly a step ahead another person in the running for the same job!
CNA Job Search
When looking for CNA employment, you will find it is not difficult to do if you have an organized plan of attack. Keeping yourself organized will not only help you with your job search, but it will also show through when it comes down to interview time.
Being organized is a definite plus for any CNA employee’s personality to possess. During your job as a CNA, you will often find there are many tasks and patients which are assigned to you. You will need to organize yourself and know how to prioritize your tasks such that you complete everything you need to do as efficiently as possible. When it comes to the CNA job search, being organized is key to keeping your head above water. Follow these points to help you find successful and fulfilling employment.
Before beginning your CNA employment search, you will need to organize your materials. Get your CNA resume finished and looking polished. Gather your references together in advance. This means, call them for permission first and to let them know the type of job you are looking for. Be sure and tell them some of your good qualities that will help them be able to recommend you for a CNA position. There is nothing worse than a potential employer calling on a reference to find out that the person had no idea they were being used as a reference and/or that they had nothing of value to say.
Make extra copies of your resume and CNA certificate in case you will be mailing them in to potential employers. These are good to have on hand for this reason. Most companies do ask in their employment ad for applicants to fax or email their applications in, however some do ask for them by mail. As well, if you are going to an interview, bring an extra copy along to share and to refer to if required.
Next in your search for CNA employment, gather together the want ads section of your local newspapers and periodicals. Cut out any ads that you are interested in and be sure to keep track of what paper you found them in and what date they were published. It is helpful to keep track of the jobs you are applying for. One way is to create a spreadsheet listing the company and some key information points about the ads as well as the dates of which you sent your resume in. A quicker, and perhaps easier way though, would be to start a notebook and glue or tape the ad to the top of a single page. Then jot down any notes you need to that relate to that job. Things such as, when you sent in your resume, if you have a contact person’s name and tel#, interview dates, etc. Keep each ad on a separate page. Jot down any questions you may have for your potential employer. You will also want to take your notebook along with you to an interview so that you can jot down notes about the interview as you go. This will show you as a diligent person as well as it will help you keep track of different pieces of information you obtain from each interview.
Following the steps outlined above will help you in your CNA employment search. CNA job search should be followed as you would any other job search. It is important to organize your material in advance and also keep track of your progress in your CNA employment search.
In: CNA Work · Tagged with: CNA Job
Choosing A CNA School
CNA schools are not hard to find. Besides attending a university or community college, you will find that there are also private schools and online CNA schools available as well. Here we will discuss how to find a CNA school that is right for you and what types of things should go into your decision-making process.
When looking for a CNA school, keep in mind that not all schools call the program a CNA course of study. CNA, Certified Nursing Assistant, is what you will often find the job title referred to in North America. Depending on where you live, or what the institution has traditionally called the role, it could be something different. It may be called an RNA, Registered Nursing Assistant, for example. Another similar job role is a PSW, a Personal Support Worker. Many of these jobs perform similar functions, in support of other health care professionals. Keep these other titles in mind when beginning your search for a CNA school. This way you won’t miss out on a program that could be the perfect fit for you.
Deciding to make use of an online CNA school, may be a good choice for you if you a.) have a part-time or full-time job that you would like to hang on to or, b.) desire to follow a slower work-at-your-own-pace type of program. There are many benefits to doing your CNA schooling online. Most beneficial is that it gives you the freedom to work on your studies when and where you please. You are able to hold down a job at the same time and do your schooling in the evenings or weekends. Wherever you can have an internet connection, will allow you to do your studies and complete your tests. If you don’t live close enough to a city center and cannot easily commute or are not looking to move, then online CNA schools are a good choice for you.
If planning on attending a physical CNA school for your studies, then begin by deciding if you are willing to move to attend the best college or university. If this is not feasible, then take a map and compass out. Draw on the map a commutable radius centering around where you live. Perhaps a 1 hour commuting distance is all you can tolerate. Maybe you are willing to go 2 hours. Whatever distance you think you can handle commuting on a regular basis, should be the distance of your circle will represent. Then begin looking for CNA schools that fall within that area.
If you are willing to move to attend a CNA school, then begin by looking at the schools that are out there and the type of programs they offer. Here are some more details on deciding on a particular school.
Not all CNA schools and programs are created equally. If you are looking at the possibility of extending your studies into a nursing degree program, then you may want to consider getting your CNA training from a college or university which is acceptable to a nursing school. It will help you if you are able to qualify into the program further ahead than most first year students.
If a CNA program at one school is more lengthy than another, then take a deeper look. It may be that you will end up with more training that could be beneficial to your career in the long run. Take a close look at each CNA program you are considering and do a comparison between your favourites.
Be sure that the CNA program offers a certificate at the end of the program. As well, you will need to write standard board exams. See what kind of support you are offered from the institutions you are considering. Is there a mentoring program? Are people available that can help you along the way? What about a co-op program? This is extremely helpful for finding a long-term job in the CNA field. It is a little something extra to put on your resume as well as you may have a job opportunity offered to you at the end of your studies. Are you able to do the program part-time if you are working?
Another thing to consider when looking at CNA schools is the location. Even if you are willing to move to another city to attend school, you should take a close look at your budget. What type of expenses can you expect in housing and everyday living expenses? Major city centers are known to have a higher cost of living. So even if you find a reasonably priced CNA program at a school you think you’ll love, don’t forget to calculate in the living expenses as well. They could end up being more than they would be in a smaller city with a comparable CNA school.
Lastly, take the time to visit the school in person. Make an appointment to visit with a school representative. Ask for a tour. Ask for recommendations from past students/graduates. Speak with a teacher. Get a feel for the location. This could be your final deciding factor, so it’s worth taking the time to visit.
Taking the above points into consideration will help you decide on the best CNA school for you. Taking your time and researching the programs is the best thing you can do for your career. It will all go towards your future, so plan well!
In: CNA School · Tagged with: CNA Schools
Preparing for the CNA Test
The CNA test may sound a little daunting to some, but it’s really not that difficult if you go into it well-prepared. Here we will discuss some tips to get you CNA ready! You will come out getting your certificate and better able to finding a good job in the CNA field.
Study Notes
When beginning your studies in the CNA program, make sure you pay special attention to all that you are taught. When finished learning each section, make study notes of key points that you think are important or that you think could come up in a final exam. Often teachers will give hints on specific subject areas that may be extra important, throughout the year. One thing that really helped me with my studies, was to have good study notes. The notes would contain such things as definitions, formulas, and other such important key points. Not only did I use these study notes to help me with studying for the final exam, but they also were extremely helpful for studying for tests at the end of each section. Make sure you memorize and review your study notes carefully and often until you are totally familiar with the material. If you do not understand something, as the teacher or another student who may know the answer.
Study Partner
Studying with a friend at various times throughout the year will help keep you on track. Find a partner, preferably a classmate or someone who is ahead of you in the program or already graduated. This person should be available for discussions on CNA subjects, and to bounce ideas off as well. This person should also help keep you grounded by perhaps shedding light on areas you were not sure of before. It will help keep you accountable as well.
Memorize
If you are unsure of some of the material, then at least make sure you memorize it. That way you should still be able to answer test questions relating to areas that you are not as familiar with.
Practice Tests
Write up practice tests for yourself and your study partner. Swap them and test each other. They can be written answer tests, multiple choice, or another type of test you prefer. Do the tests without the aid of text book reference. Do them honestly and see what kind of results you get. They will help you realize what areas of the CNA program you need to focus on.
Clinical Practice
Volunteer your services at a nursing home, hospital or doctor’s office. This will give you loads of practical experience in the right environment, even if you are not doing exactly CNA work all the time. You will be surrounded by people in the know. People who you can befriend who can help you if you have questions surrounding certain aspects of the CNA career.
Write a Sample Essay
Choose an area of particular interest to you within the CNA subject and begin writing about it. Write all you know about that subject. Refer to text books when you get stumped for information or for looking for particular references. This will help you get yourself in the frame of mind as a CNA. You will be put in the shoes as a CNA while writing an article such as this. It is good practice for your final exam.
Get Involved
Participate in CNA classroom discussions. Talk openly about the subject among your classmates. Join an online forum. Look up books about the nursing profession at your local library that are not part of your course of study. Read them and learn more than you are required.
Following the points mentioned above will make you a better CNA student and better able to answer any CNA test questions that may come up at exam time.
In: CNA Test · Tagged with: CNA Classes, CNA Test, CNA Training
Deciding to be a CNA
A lot of thought goes into a career choice. It may take a number of years and a lot of input from friends and relatives to come to a decision on what your career path will be. Not only will you be receiving advice from everyone you know, but you should also do some of your own research to see if you are right for a job as a CNA. Here are some things that you will need to consider when making a decision for becoming a CNA.
Are you the right person for this job? One thing that is very evident about CNAs is that it takes a certain kind of person to become one. Here are some strengths that typical CNAs have that you would do well to ask yourself about if you are seriously considering this as a career choice: compassionate, caring, dedicated, works well in a team environment, not squeamish, professional attitude, empathetic, possesses bodily strength, and able to be on your feet for extended periods of time. It is important to display these qualities as well as to actually possess them naturally speaking. If you are not truly feeling these qualities then it will come out in your work. You will be unhappy, your patients will notice it and your employers will also notice it.
Read everything you can about being a CNA. This site has a lot of great articles to get you started in your research on the CNA profession. Be sure and find out the costs associated with learning this career and also the rate of pay you can expect as a CNA in your particular locale. Find out the length of the programs offered at a variety of institutions. Researching all of this will aide you in finding the best place to do your schooling.
Last but not least, be sure and visit a CNA and follow them around for a day as a job shadow experiment. This is a great way to not only get your foot into the door, but also to find out if this is a job for you. You will get to observe and evaluate and finally make a decision if you can do this job yourself.
Taking the above points into consideration, will help you come to a well-informed decision on becoming a CNA. It is well worth the research you put into a career decision. It will save you a lot of money as well as prevent you from wasting your time in an unhappy job situation.
In: CNA as a Career · Tagged with: CNA Career, CNA nursing
How to Write a CNA Resume (With Samples)
Generally speaking, the type of resume that you should prepare and submit for a job as a CNA does not need to be that different than those prepared for any other job. There are some things you can do however, that will make you stand out as an applicant. Here you will find lots of tips and instructions including all that you need to know for making a polished and professional CNA resume. We will discuss pertinent information to include in your CNA resume as well as a sample CNA resume and sample CNA cover letter that will help you get started in making your own and helping you get first choice from the best CNA jobs out there!
Writing a CNA Resume (see sample here)
It is best to keep your resume as brief as possible, but at the same time state the necessary information. Having a resume down to about two pages is acceptable. A cover letter will be added on as well and this will make your submission three pages.
A CNA resume should include all of the following: Contact Information, Objectives, Skills & Qualifications, Education, Work History, Volunteer Work, and References. We will delve a little more fully into each of these sub-areas below.
Contact Information
At the header of your resume, put in your full name, address, telephone number and email address. This is very necessary so that the person reading your resume will be able to contact you if they would like to book an interview.
Objectives
Tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for. You must make your resume relevant for it to stand out as something that is worthy of consideration. When writing your objective, don’t be pretentious, but make sure you honestly state your strengths and skills that you think will be advantageous to promote for a job as a CNA.
Here are some examples of objectives that can be used in a CNA resume:
1. “Objective: To use my experience and learned skills in caring for elderly patients requiring quality health care.” Notice, this objective is tailored for someone who is applying for a job at a nursing home.
2. “Objective: To put my positive strengths and abilities to good use in caring for individuals who are in need of an empathetic and skilled caregiver.”
3. “Objective: To be a part of a team of skilled nursing caregivers which care for individuals who are in need of competent healthcare.”
4. “Objective: Qualified CNA looking for fulfilling healthcare work that will best utilize my proactive and efficient nursing skills.
Skills & Qualifications
In this area, you will want to state your skills and qualifications for a CNA job. They can be both acquired and learned skills as well as those that personality strengths that you may come by naturally.
Here are some examples of skills and qualifications that you may wish to build upon:
- honors student with recognized talents in performing and recording patient vitals
- optimum bedside manner skills and rapport in dealing with co-workers and patients
- demonstrated knack for learning new skills quickly and easily
- strong ability in multi-tasking
- able to excel in a team environment
- registered and certified nursing assistant with the college of….
Education
In this area of the CNA resume, you will include details of your educational history. List the location and name of school where you studied as well as the degree or certification you received upon completion. Also, don’t forget to list all pertinent computer courses or any other smaller workshops that you’ve completed in the hopes of furthering your qualifications as a CNA. List all your professional designations that you have earned.
Work History
There are some things that a CNA should put on their resume and some things that are better left off. When writing a resume, you will want to include your past employment history, but at the same time you will need to keep your resume relevant for the CNA job you are seeking. For that reason, if you have a large number of jobs that you have had in the past, just include the last 3 or so in the work history section. It is not necessary to include your life work history. If you did, your resume would become too lengthy and no one would want to read it.
Keep record of all your work history in a personal summary that you will keep in a file so that you still have this information for future needs if it is required. Or, if you decide to write a biography or something! Interviewers for CNA jobs, as with others job types, are not interested in reading through lengthy job history records. Nor does it reflect well on you as an applicant. You will need to show that you are stable and reliable and not prone to switching around from job to job. So leave off the old ones, unless they are truly relevant to your current application. If asked in an interview about a particular time in your life that is not mentioned on your resume, be prepared to answer honestly and at the same time you can explain that for brevity you had to stop somewhere.
Volunteer Work
If you do not have any volunteer work to mention on your resume, it may be worth beginning now. Volunteering shows a potential employer that you are a caring individual and that you go the extra mile. This will show them what kind of a person you are and for that it may translate into what kind of a work performer you would be as well. Not only that, but volunteering can you give you some added skills that you may not already have on your resume. There is also a personal fulfillment involved with volunteering. It feels good to help others for the sake of doing so. List any related volunteer work that you are currently or have participated in. Even if it doesn’t seem related to a CNA job, it may be worth mentioning just for the strength of character that will be portrayed.
References
References are people who can verify your strengths and skills as a person. They can be personal references or people that you have worked for. Most places of employment will request two or three references.
Before putting someone down as a reference, it is important to contact them for permission first. You don’t want anyone to be caught off guard by a phone call. They will want to think about their answers in advance. Give your references some idea as to the type of jobs you are looking for and the qualifications that the jobs state in their ad. Tell them why you are suited to the job. Tell them your skills. Even give them a copy of your resume so they can see it for themselves.
When listing references, put down the person’s full name, their contact information (including mailing address, telephone number and email address), and what your relationship is to that person i.e. how they know you.
The Cover Letter (see sample here)
A cover letter should be written to coincide with the job that you are applying for. You must tailor the resume for the specific job. Address it to the attention of the person mentioned in the ad or the Human Resources Department. List the title of the job being applied for. In the letter, you will want to mention the skills and qualifications that you have for this particular job and why you would be a suitable candidate. Invite the reader to contact you and provide your contact information. A cover letter should be sent along with your resume when applying for each job.
When printing out your resume and cover letter, it is advisable to stick to plain good quality paper. Printing on cutesy themed paper may not give you the professional edge you are looking for.
Another thing that you may want to consider to set yourself apart from the pack is to create a resume package. These are not required of course, but if you are doing cold calls at a variety of hospitals and you may not be responding to a particular ad, it may be worth the effort in getting noticed. To set yourself apart and get noticed, create a package of information about yourself. Purchase folders at an office supply store. Inside, include a cover letter introducing yourself, your resume and references, a wallet-sized professional photo of yourself, a calling card with your contact information listed and a copy of your relevant certificates and diplomas. These business folders often have a couple of little slots inside that you can slip your photo and calling card into. If possible, visit the HR department of a hospital in person to hand in your package, or if this is not possible, mail it.
Following these steps in CNA resume preparation should help you gain success in finding a job as a CNA. Present yourself well and you should be successful!
In: CNA School, CNA Work · Tagged with: CNA Resume, CNA Schools
Preparing for the CNA Test
Taking and passing the CNA test will give you the certification required for working in the CNA field. You will find that most institutions require CNA certification in order to work at their establishment.
Reasons for Taking the CNA Test
There are many reasons for taking the CNA test besides the obvious of it being a requirement to working in the field. Passing the test will also give you credibility. You will have prestige. It will show not only your employer, but your co-workers, friends and family also, that you are knowledgeable in this area and have a certain amount of expertise. Having the CNA certificate will be beneficial for you should you decide to further your career in the health care field. You may be able to use your school transcription as pre-requisites for certain RN or RNA programs. Taking and passing the CNA test will also give you a sense of accomplishment for yourself in doing a job well done. All your hard work in studying will gain you a professional certificate to hang on your wall.
CNA Test Preparation
To pass the test, you will need to do some simple steps in preparation for studying. Gather together all class material you have learned during your course of study. Assuming it is already organized by area of study, read through everything and jot down point form notes on the most important pieces of information. Things that you should make a note of include definitions, formulas, statistics, and how-to instructions. Take your study notes and put them together in a folder style booklet like a duotang. Go through and highlight portions that you would like to stand out.
Take this booklet everywhere with you. Use every little opportunity that exists to study the material and memorize it. Perhaps it is sitting on the bus, going to your part time job, waiting in the dentist’s office, or while eating your dinner at the table. Use all opportunities that present themselves, no matter how small the time may be, and study. Make it your life. Waking and sleeping.
Enlist a friend or family member to ask you questions from the book. (See some examples below in the next section.) If desired, make queue cards out of the material that you can carry around a little easier. Make the information contained in your study notes, knowledge that is contained in your head!
CNA Test Study Material
There are lots of subjects that you will need to cover in studying for the CNA Test. In making your study notes, do not ignore the minute. If you are asked in the test how to get an immobile patient to the bathroom, you will need to describe the steps in detail. For example, when you move the patient to a wheel chair, don’t forget to set the brake so the chair does not roll when you are transferring the patient to the chair. Then you will need to release the brake to push the chair and again set the brake once you arrive at the bathroom. Things like that will need to be remembered for the CNA test in order to successfully pass the exam.
All of the subjects that you have studied during the CNA course, will need to be studied for the final exam. Certification as a CNA requires that you are more than just familiar with the material. You will need to know it inside out. Don’t forget to include all areas in your study: sciences, safety and infection control, patient privacy, patient care, medical terminology, CPR procedures, and everything else you were taught.
When getting someone else to help you study for the CNA test, think up some questions that you would ask someone if you were the teacher. For example, what is the contraption called that is used to aid in turning a patient? What is the protocol for handwashing? What is the average resting pulse rate? What are the signs of Alzheimer’s? What is the definition of blood pressure? What are 3 things you can do to help ensure patient privacy? These are just a few examples that will help you when preparing your study material to study.
Practical CNA Test
Not only will there be a written portion of the test, but the CNA course you take will probably want to observe you doing clinical practice as well. You will need to demonstrate that you can use the skills you have learned practically. i.e. remembering to perform all required steps when taking care of a patient. Knowing the information in your head is often different than doing it in person. There are other distractions and unexpected surprises that can come up and interrupt the way you think you would react to a situation. Performing well practically will also be required to show you know your material well enough to gain CNA certification.
Following these simple steps will help to ensure you have a good result in your CNA test. In order to obtain CNA certification, you will need to know the material incredibly well. Study it for as often as you can and for as long as you have the opportunity to before going to the testing facility.
In: CNA Test · Tagged with: CNA Test
Preparing a Resume and Finding CNA Work
The first thing you need to do when looking for and finding CNA work is to make sure you are certified, well prepared and have a polished resume. Having all your proper paperwork in order will go a long ways in showing a potential employer that you are a professional who is serious about a career as a CNA. This article will help you get all your ducks in a row for preparing a polished and professional looking resume to help you in finding CNA work.
Certificates
After you have completed your CNA training, you will receive a certificate. Gather together all your credentials, i.e. certifications and any other paperwork you may have that is relevant to this career and put it all in a folder. Some other things that may be important are a certificate showing you have completed first aid training and maybe even an appreciation certificate from a nursing home acknowledging that you have volunteered there.
Having everything in one spot is essential to being organized. For each resume that you will be sending out, you should make a copy of your CNA certificate to send along as an addendum.
References
The next thing you need to do to prepare your resume for CNA work is to begin thinking about references. Types of references that will be important are from those people who can a.) attest to your character e,g,.strengths and b.) attest to your work ethic and abilities. People who can attest to your character can be friends of yours or aquaintances like co-workers, and neighbours. People who can attest to your work ethic and ability could be teachers, co-workers and also a manager from a previous job.
Before putting someone down as a reference on your resume, you must contact them for permission first. It is only polite to do this. You want to give them a head’s up to let them know they may be receiving a phone call. Also, let them know the reason for the reference. i.e. the type of job you are applying for. You can also tell them why you want to go into this career and why you would be a good fit. Speaking with your references first will help them to be prepared for a phone call and will make their answers sound more professional and thought out.
Professional Photo
Get a professional business-style photograph taken of yourself. Have several wallet sized prints made and include one in each resume package that you send out. This is optional, but in doing this you will help the potential employer put a name to the face and it will help you stand out from the crowd. You will be more likely remembered than someone else who hasn’t put that much work into their resume package. It will up the competition level for everyone else and give you an edge.
Resume
The main thing you will need to help you in finding and securing CNA work is a resume. There are many templates and formats available online that you can use to create your own. Find one that you like and that looks professional. It is not advisable to pick a cutesy theme or something to fancy as this will end up detracting from your professionalism. CNA work is not a creative career so these type of resume templates are not suitable for this career.
Things that you will need to state in your resume is a record of your schooling including any certificates and professional designations. Be sure and add the dates you completed the education. Also, you will need to put in your work history. In this area, you should include the following: dates you worked there, job title, job role/description of tasks, Your resume should also include a list of your references. Include the person’s name, title, releationship to you and their telephone number and email address. The top of your resume should include your full name, title, any designations, mailing address, email address, and telephone number.
Cover Letter
The cover letter should be tailored specifically to the job you are applying for. A cover letter is a formal letter written to a potential employer which states who you are, the job you are applying for and briefly sums up your qualifications for the job. It finishes up with your name, email address and telephone number. Don’t forget to include the date and your signature. Again, there are many templates and samples available online that will help you in creating one of your own.
When setting up a resume package to a potential employer attach together all the information in the following order: the cover letter with your photo clipped to the top, the resume, a copy of your CNA certificate, and finally the references. If you are mailing the package to the potential employer, rather than faxing it, you have an opportunity to make it look great! Put it in a small folder or professional looking binder and mail it directly.
Following the steps listed above should help you gain success in finding CNA work. Do your homework carefully and you will no doubt be rewarded with a new job!
In: CNA Work · Tagged with: CNA Work
Red Cross CNA Training
If you are looking at getting into a CNA career, then taking Red Cross CNA training may be an option you would like to consider. Taking classes with the Red Cross is an organization that will nearly guarantee you success. They are very well known and very well respected. They have been around for about 150 years. How is that for longevity? CNA training offered by the Red Cross is of the utmost quality. Not only success in your career, but success in finding a job is something that is expected with Red Cross CNA training under your belt.
The length of Red Cross CNA training is quite short. You can complete your training and be working in the field in as little as 5 weeks! The training itself will only take you about 114 hours. It may sound short, but it is very intense. You could take a leave from your current job if you can so that you can fully concentrate on training for your new career. It is not so much that the training is difficult, but there is memorization involved, critical thinking and of course actual clinical practice as well. Taking the course full time will allow you to be more flexible with the schedules that are offered to you in the program. Of course, you could certainly plan to take your Red Cross CNA training part time as well. You can work at your own pace for much of the training and still keep your job.
Red Cross CNA training is available for anyone over the age of 18. You can go straight into the program from high school or even attend as a mature student. Having taken high school sciences and math will help you in this field. Even if the material is not fresh to you, it will come back as you begin your studies as a CNA.
There is much opportunity for career advancement if you have taken Red Cross CNA training. Once you have this training and received your certificate, you can begin working in the field right away. Or, you can even take this course and use it as a prerequisite for further training in nursing. Another good thing about taking Red Cross CNA training is that it will help you know if you want to further your career in this field without putting out a lot of money for education. Taking this course will help you know whether or not you are suited to be a nurse or something more. You will know if you like it well enough to continue.
To find Red Cross CNA training, look online to find the address and telephone number of a local Red Cross chapter. One that is close to where you live. Visit them in person if you like. Have a look around. Gather any brochures that may be of interest to you. Ask for further details on the program. Better yet, maybe you can arrange to meet with a recent graduate or a teacher to learn first hand about the program.
Once you have completed your training as a CNA, you will receive a certificate. Make sure you go and update your resume with your new qualifications. Don’t forget to also change your objectives to be suited more for applying for work as a CNA. It is best to tailor your resume and cover letter specifically for the job that you are applying to. This will help make your resume relevant to the person reading your application.
The above information should help you in your preparation in beginning to take Red Cross training. Learning all about the program, costs, what’s involved, location, etc. will help to make your decisions all the easier.
In: CNA Training · Tagged with: CNA Career, CNA Classes, CNA Courses, CNA Training, Red Cross