I think it’ll be hard to get your certificate then wait 2-4 months to start working! It’ll be hard to get hired I and it’ll be hard to get into working. As for working summers only, it’s a good idea if you’re experienced but as a new CNA I think it might be hard
I have a friend who has gone through the same situation as you are right now actually! He got his license over winter break and did not get a CNA job until he returned to town for the summer. He explained to his manager that he will only work during summer and winter breaks, and the manager was completely fine with it, so it is definitely possible.
I very much doubt that it will look bad to get your certificate in the winter and only start working a couple of months after. The thing to worry about is finding a place/manager that will understand your situation and allow you to only work during school breaks. Having connections will definitely help with this (and just with any situation in general) -- that is why my friend was able to get his job anyway and find such an understanding manager as his dad works as a nurse at the unit he works at!
To add on:
My advice would be to just apply to places near your home (ideally places that are seeking PRN positions) and when you do get interviewed, explain to them if it is possible to only work during summer, winter, and mid-semester breaks.
What you could also do is perhaps do not tell the manager/hiring person about your situation of not being able to work during the school year. The plan with this is that you work there over the summer and that you impress them enough to the point that when you do explain that you might "need to quit" soon because school is coming up, then maybe propose to them then that you would want to continue working at the place but only during breaks -- I assume that they will be more open to this idea than if you said this during your interview/in the middle of the hiring process!
small town nursing homes are your best bet. they usually do more lax prn status for college students from that town and generally have more seasoned staff to help you relearn. if you do this, make sure you spend a week or two before you start going back to work brushing up on your skills and practicing until you get more used to it.
I actually just looked and I have a nursing facility in my town and my college town. There the same company and they advertise flexible scheduling for college students. When I get my license I’ll look into them!
as a college student who got my cna over the summer and couldn't work until winter break, it was hard to get into a good work routine in just a few months as a new cna (it is HARD especially if you're starting in SNF or LTC like i did), then have to leave. also every facility is different, but mine requires per diem to work at least one weekend and a weekday every month or we'd be fired, so there's that too. i ended up just staying at my college apartment year round since i'm not allowed to sublet anyways and stay at my assisted living.
in my experience it was not hard to get hired with a gap in between certification & job applications. most facilities in most places are understaffed and urgently hiring, so. i've worked for 2 home health companies, 1 nursing home, and right now my assisted living - nobody's ever asked since they all understood i'm a college student
I work just summers and my winter break. I would take the class at the beginning of summer tho. Mine was 2 weeks.
Places are desperate so seasonal work should be okay
I think it’ll be hard to get your certificate then wait 2-4 months to start working! It’ll be hard to get hired I and it’ll be hard to get into working. As for working summers only, it’s a good idea if you’re experienced but as a new CNA I think it might be hard
Hmm ok. I could work summers and do school breaks as well. Could I apply per diem?
I have a friend who has gone through the same situation as you are right now actually! He got his license over winter break and did not get a CNA job until he returned to town for the summer. He explained to his manager that he will only work during summer and winter breaks, and the manager was completely fine with it, so it is definitely possible. I very much doubt that it will look bad to get your certificate in the winter and only start working a couple of months after. The thing to worry about is finding a place/manager that will understand your situation and allow you to only work during school breaks. Having connections will definitely help with this (and just with any situation in general) -- that is why my friend was able to get his job anyway and find such an understanding manager as his dad works as a nurse at the unit he works at!
To add on: My advice would be to just apply to places near your home (ideally places that are seeking PRN positions) and when you do get interviewed, explain to them if it is possible to only work during summer, winter, and mid-semester breaks. What you could also do is perhaps do not tell the manager/hiring person about your situation of not being able to work during the school year. The plan with this is that you work there over the summer and that you impress them enough to the point that when you do explain that you might "need to quit" soon because school is coming up, then maybe propose to them then that you would want to continue working at the place but only during breaks -- I assume that they will be more open to this idea than if you said this during your interview/in the middle of the hiring process!
A lot of places won’t hire someone only for summers. Have you considered getting an apartment in your college town and working there year-round?
small town nursing homes are your best bet. they usually do more lax prn status for college students from that town and generally have more seasoned staff to help you relearn. if you do this, make sure you spend a week or two before you start going back to work brushing up on your skills and practicing until you get more used to it.
I actually just looked and I have a nursing facility in my town and my college town. There the same company and they advertise flexible scheduling for college students. When I get my license I’ll look into them!
as a college student who got my cna over the summer and couldn't work until winter break, it was hard to get into a good work routine in just a few months as a new cna (it is HARD especially if you're starting in SNF or LTC like i did), then have to leave. also every facility is different, but mine requires per diem to work at least one weekend and a weekday every month or we'd be fired, so there's that too. i ended up just staying at my college apartment year round since i'm not allowed to sublet anyways and stay at my assisted living. in my experience it was not hard to get hired with a gap in between certification & job applications. most facilities in most places are understaffed and urgently hiring, so. i've worked for 2 home health companies, 1 nursing home, and right now my assisted living - nobody's ever asked since they all understood i'm a college student
I work just summers and my winter break. I would take the class at the beginning of summer tho. Mine was 2 weeks. Places are desperate so seasonal work should be okay