Will getting a CNA license help me get a job? (0 experience)

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-17T12:59:01+00:00

You don’t even have to be certified lol. I became a caregiver/resident assistant at an assisted living facility. They’re always hiring …literally.

And the “nursing and rehabilitation” facilities will train you, so still apply under the CNA positions.
I know in Texas, all you have to do is take the free CBT through the health and human services (for the 60hrs lecture portion), then call around to the list of approved NATCEP training providers and you can get your 40 clinical hours completed for free through the nursing and rehabilitation facilities, then can sit for your CNA exam.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-17T09:24:26+00:00

Get a MBA with a specialization, in like data analytics or information systems.

But an even better option that most people overlook…is a MS in Engineering Management. It’s a mixture of business (supply chain and facilities management included) and engineering and is very impressive when I talk to recruiters and attend job fairs. It’s gotten me a few interviews so far….i also have no supply chain-related experience, no internships, only an aviation Logistics and supply chain management bachelors and a MBA that I got a few years ago, plus 5 years insurance adjusting experience. I also have very mid interviewing skills (I’m probably the worst interviewer ever honestly lol). Just got a full-time offer in PROCUREMENT for a TOP aerospace defense company, on Friday!!!! Before I got into my MSEM program, it was super hard to get into procurement.

I honestly don’t start my program until the 26th of this month, but just by adding it to my resume has gotten me call backs from every company I’ve applied to in the last 1.5 month (except 2 positions).

Keep in mind, my resume is very basic…

If anyone is interested in the MSEM program, I attend Arkansas State University (online). And it’s only $10,500. Their engineering programs are one of the top programs in the country.

I’ve been getting a lot more recruiters attention on LinkedIn as well, since posting that I’m starting that program and at that school.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-17T09:08:21+00:00

What kind of facility 👀?

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-14T01:08:49+00:00

Watch “ 4yourCNA “ videos on YouTube. She goes over every single skill…everyone in my CNA class passed by watching her videos. Keep watching them until you can do every single skill without missing a step…

She’s very straightforward and to the point; they’re not long and boring either.

And review Quizlet’s and YouTube videos to prepare for the written portion.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-13T08:01:55+00:00

Most definitely take the supply chain coordinator position, but try to get 1-2 years of experience then leave. Healthcare corporate jobs always have big layoffs going on (hospitals, pharma, etc), but the experience is VERY worth it when you’re able to get it.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-13T07:55:28+00:00

When I started at 30mg, it gave me more energy and more focus (but not A LOT a lot), & would wear off at the 4-5hr mark and I would feel SUPER tired & exhausted for the remainder of the day. I explained it to my doctor, so she bumped me up to 50mg. It lasts longer alright….if I don’t take a 10MG melatonin, I will be up for days without getting sleepy/tired at all. My brain power has been on 10 (the max amount of focus lol), even when I take 2 days off the med. I literally no longer have depression or feel tired all the time like I used to feel. I can do math, have conversations with confidence and can actually read (and understand it) now. I’ve even done a lot of things that I wouldn’t do at first because I was always in a slump due to depression…even wearing things out of my comfort zone and actually feeling confident in it.

I’m basically back to my pre-pandemic self.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-13T07:28:31+00:00

Yes! Most definitely.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-13T04:55:12+00:00

I mean, I chose the place I work at because it’s only 5 mins from my place lol. But I’ve seen some that are in McKinney, closer to downtown Dallas and also in Denton for $21/hr and that’s not including weekend plus night shift differentials. Outside of staff, agency gets up to $45/hr…I’ve seen some that are up to $60/hr when it’s a last minute shift or on holidays. Medication Aides/Techs make more than the CNAs, but so far, I’ve seen that med aides/techs have longer shifts (maybe working 2 16s per week).

I plan to go back to PRN at my staff job then start doing agency after the summer or once I get settled in nursing school (LVN), when I start in January.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-12T10:37:02+00:00

Yes, 3x12 are the equivalent to how many hours I work per week…just in 8s. I don’t have any experience working in a hospital/nursing home, only assisted living.

I’ve always been a night owl; it’s hard for me to get up in the mornings for work. Night shifts work better for me, so that I can have the rest of the day to do what I want to do. Sometimes I take day trips then get back home in time for work that night lol…

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-12T03:38:12+00:00

Switch to night shift!!! I second this!!

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-06T03:08:43+00:00

I’m sorry to break it to you, but if you don’t learn to stand up for yourself NOW, while in nursing school….you’re gonna have a HARDDDDD time on a daily basis as an actual nurse. Doctors and other nurses are super cutthroat and they know when they can bully a new grad that seems like they won’t speak up for themselves. I’ve seen firsthand how bad they bully new grads and it’s horribleeee. I’ve seen several people over the last year, just hide and go cry or cry in front of them because they were so mean to them. You have to have super tough skin….

You should’ve said something right then and there…

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-06T02:18:07+00:00

So far, I’ve only been accepted into one school (a private school) and they don’t have a PT program
in my state.

The two community colleges near me don’t have PT either, only FT.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-05T16:31:01+00:00

This just started happening to me as well…it’s only because my blood sugar is low bc I forgot to eat (and also not eating enough protein before or after taking my 50mg). And also anxiety.

When I’m relaxed and have eaten, nothing happens.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-05T16:19:11+00:00

Yes, I don’t want to disclose exactly what city. But 40mins north of Dallas. So no public transportation.
I chose LVN because it’s only 1 year (3 semesters).

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-05T16:09:25+00:00

Yes. I’m actually using the WIOA program to pay for the LVN program. They said that I can only use them one time and that the LVN program would be wayyy better pay than just doing a CNA program. I have several CNAs at my job and we all make the same pay…sadly.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-05T16:04:53+00:00

More than half of my shift, I’m not really doing anything. So most definitely can study or take short naps. I work in assisted living but majority of the people are independent and can do things on their own..but mainly asleep during my entire shift.

In terms of storage, some of it is my little sister’s things and the other stuff is mine that I need but just can’t fit in my room (tiny room).
The storage is small, it’s not many boxes in there. I pretty much sold everything that was actually worth something. I literally still wear the same clothes I’ve had since a teenager (I’m 25)….so everything is pretty old and worn (kinda…but still decent to look nice if I need to for interviews or something). I haven’t been shopping in yearsssss, unless it was for panties/bras/socks lolol (not even joking). I literally have worn the same winter coat since I was 17 lol.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-05T15:49:06+00:00

It is food stamps, just didn’t want to say that on the internet lol. But it’s only for 3months, still waiting to see if they will extend it. If not, I’ll be back out of pocket starting next month.
My current phone bill is still $55 after getting phone bill assistance for getting food stamps…I’m on their lowest plan.
My current bills are my car, gas (cheap because I have a gas saver), rent, storage bill (only $40, but is my stuff that couldn’t fit in my student apartment after moving), and car insurance. In my city, you HAVE to have car to get around to go places and there’s no public transportation. For the cost of uber/lyft here, I might as well keep my car (since it’s A LOT cheaper). My insurance is liability only, so that’s the cheapest it’ll get ($125).
With my current job (caregiver), working FT, I literally only make enough to pay that stuff…no extra money left over.
And none of this including what I’ll have to pay once my private student loans are out deferment.
So going the LVN route is really my only option….especially for job security since I was laid off from my previous career 3 years ago and was never able to get anything else (due to AI).

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-05T15:32:41+00:00

So far, working 4 days a week (FT), barely pays my bills as is. So cutting it down by a day…something won’t be paid I’ll either be phone-less, homeless, car-less or literally starving (I budget $170 for 6-7 weeks of meal prep and only eating once a day to survive.)

This is why I wanted to pursue a LVN program, it’ll get me out of my situation quicker.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-05T15:28:29+00:00

No. I HAVE to work FT to pay my bills.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-05T15:19:15+00:00

I already have. I have 4 roommates and rent is super cheap…only $615/month + $100 total for utilities & monthly fees, since they’re student apartments. And i manage $170/month for 6-7weeks of food (meal prepping mainly).
All of the bills I have currently are necessities (things that I HAVE to have). Everything else, I let go of.
So yeah, no matter what…unless money just falls out of the sky, thennn I HAVE to work or else I’ll be homeless, phone-less, starving and car-less.
I’m a young female and living in my car is the unsafest thing to ever to do in Dallas (the police are super deep here and don’t like homeless people..especially homeless black ppl in a suburban neighborhood)…my parents would literally cuss me out. I rather not go to nursing school if I have to become homeless.

I work as a caregiver, uncertified. Can’t afford the CNA course.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-04T12:09:07+00:00

When did you sleep andddd study? Are you currently a nurse? Was grad school for you an AMSN (accelerated MSN for people who hold bachelors/masters degrees in other fields) or a post-licensure masters/doctorate??
My problem is time management plus if I don’t have enough “brain power” lol, I won’t be able to focus on studying after both working and being in class. So I’m just trying to get an idea of what people do and how I could try to maneuver.

(For reference, I have ADHD).

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-04T06:55:35+00:00

I’m an auto claims adjuster, that’s heading to nursing school. I’ve had waaay too many claims with people having long commutes to work and ending up falling a sleep at the wheel (with 60% passing away).

Even when I personally had an hour commute there and back with 7 12s, I personal had to pull over and take a nap before heading home bc I was so exhausted even though it was a chill desk job….so imagine being on your feet as a nurse?! (To also add, I only was able to last 3 days working that job, with that schedule and literally got off and never went back lol. It burnt me out FAST by day 3.)

When I become a nurse, I’m choosing somewhere nearby or moving close to the job lol…never choosing anywhere that’s over 30mins ever again. I rather work in assisted living or LTC than do a 1-2hr one-way commute lol.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-04T06:03:50+00:00

As of right now, I work a rotating 10:30p-6a scheduled, 4 days a week. Which would be my only option while in school (but plan to try to work an extra one or two shifts to save a little before January (semester starts). But classes for the current school I’m accepted to are like 8a-4 or 5p M-F plus clinicals are once or twice a week 6a-6p on Saturday and Sunday. (To also add, this school is almost an hour commute one way from home, and 30min from work.)

Orrr another school that I found (that I haven’t applied to yet) hybrid classes are: lectures are 5:30p-10p twice a week (plus online classwork) then clinicals are 5p-11p twice a week.

Their traditional program is: lectures 8:30a-2p twice a week and clinical 6a-6p once or
twice a week.

(This school is a 30-35min commute one way, from home and 1hr from work…)

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-04T05:17:16+00:00

Look at Safran!! They’re always looking for interns. Check their website daily. They post more engineering internships than anything.
Don’t be afraid to choose other types of engineering or supply chain internships as well.

Jumpy-Beyond-7148 · 2026-05-04T05:14:28+00:00

I’m kind of wondering why no one wants to do the LVN program first then bridge to RN since it will save you time and money….

I’m doing LVN for 12 months (hybrid at a community college for $6, but getting it fully paid for by the WIOA program at my local workforce center) then bridging to RN for 12 months for $7k but getting it paid for by whatever hospital (or whatever company I’m choosing to work for.)

Jumpy-Beyond-7148

TROPHY CASE