Hi,
I don't mean to beat a dead horse but I really could use some help! I am an MA (graduated in Jan. 2007)I had a job right out of school. I ended up leaving after 3 months, wasn't an office I wanted to work for. I have since been looking for employment. I have went on countless interviews. I have been called back for 2nd interviews. But still no job, I am soooo very frustrated. I have a letters of recommadation from other employers as well as one from a well known doctor here in my area. (The reason I have that is because I did my externship at his office.) I'm just not sure what I am doing wrong. I am working with Pennsylvania Careerlink right now,the workforce specialist said that I could get a grant that would pay up to 6000.00 for further schooling since I am on unemployment. I was considering going for my CNA. It is only a 13 day course. Do you think that might help me get a job being both an MA and a CNA?
Can anyone give me any direction here? THANKS

Your Professional Title/Credentials: MA

Are You Still In School? NO

Are You Working? NO

Being a CNA will definately get you a job...they basically hire anyone with a pulse, and a certificate.
It is hard, almost backbreaking work at times, for very little pay. You are the clean up crew...

Now having been negative, where's the plus side. In my area (NC) a CNA with Phelbotomy/EKG experience can work in the ER of most hospitals as a Patient Care Tech.

CNAs can also work in Home Health which is usally not as gruling as long term care (nursing homes).

I think the key to finding the right job is getting your foot in the door, and then making the most of your opportunities.

The CNA course is cheap and easy (mostly common sense) and might get you into a hospital setting. I would never just do CNA work without a plan to move up....unit clerk, working in the lab, etc. you have that training already.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: CNA/student

Are You Still In School? yes

Are You Working? yes

Take advantage of the tuition reimbursement as much as you can! That is my opinion anyways. I got a state grant that paid my entire tuition for me to go back to school, and I will have my RN in December. Can't beat free education!

And yes, having your CNA would potentially open alot more doors for you as you could branch out of clinics and into hospitals, nursing homes, home health etc.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: LPN

Are You Still In School? yes

Are You Working? yes

If you are asking if being a CNA will help to get you a job as an MA,it's hard to say. Some former CNAs are having trouble finding an MA job while others seem to have that as an advantage (that "Experience" factor that seems to count more than anything). One thing is for sure,you shouldn't have trouble finding work as a CNA. I say go for it.

Are You Working? yes

So sorry you don't have employment yet. Could I ask some questions that might give you an idea what may be happening?
Did you proofread your message on this site? There are several grammar mistakes in it. Do you talk like you write in an interview?
Have you proofread your aplications before submitting them?
What kind of clothes do you wear to the interviews you have had?
Did you graduate from an accredited MA program? If so, did you take the certification exam?
Does your school have a placement department to asist in finding employment?
Do you have good references besides the one from the extern site? What about one from an instructor you had in school?
Have you been online to job search? Check the hospitals in your area online for career opportunities. Some hospitals also manage physician's offices and hire the MAs through the hospital. Check the other physician's offices or clinics in your area online too.
You might check any labs operating in your area. Some of them hire MAs to draw blood if you were taught to do that in your program.
Check the cardiovascular physician's offices online. They sometimes hire MAs to run EKGs. Check to see if there are certifications in phlebotomy or EKG skills in your area, there may be something to offer in those areas that would help you find employment.
Getting your CNA will not help too much to get employment in a physician's office. In the nursing home environment MAs are not utilized. I live in Indiana so things may be different in the state you live in.
Going back to school in a nursing program will almost guarantee employment if you can afford it and have the time. Just be aware that your MA credits may not transfer into a nursing program. These are two different levels of education.
I wish you all the luck in the world.

Your Professional Title/Credentials: LPN, CCA, Medical Program Coordinator

Are You Still In School? No

Are You Working? Yes