You did it. You’ve aced your CNA coursework, practiced your skills until they’re second nature, and now you’re playing the waiting game for your exam date and results. That gap between training and certification can feel like an eternity, both for your resume and your wallet. But here’s the secret no one tells you: you don’t have to wait. There are numerous cna jobs without certification available right now, designed for graduates just like you. These positions are a strategic way to get your foot in the door, gain invaluable hands-on experience, and start earning while you finalize your credentials. This guide will show you exactly where to look and what to search for.

Understanding the “Pre-Certification” CNA Role

Before we dive into the job hunt, let’s clarify one crucial point. You won’t technically be hired as a “Certified Nursing Assistant” until you have that certificate in hand. Think of it like having a driver’s permit versus a full license. With your permit, you can drive, but only under specific conditions and supervision. The same principle applies here.

You’ll likely be hired under a different title, such as “Nursing Assistant Trainee” or “Patient Care Technician.” In this role, your scope of practice is slightly different. You will always work under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse (LPN or RN). You’ll perform many of the same tasks you learned in your CNA program—like helping with activities of daily living, taking vital signs, and assisting with mobility—but you won’t be able to perform any tasks that explicitly require certification, depending on state regulations.

Clinical Pearl: Don’t view this “pre-certification” status as a limitation. See it for what it truly is: an extended, paid orientation. You’re learning the facility’s specific workflows, building relationships with the nursing staff, and proving your work ethic before you even have your official title.

Top 7 Places That Hire Uncertified CNAs

Not every healthcare facility is structured to hire and supervise unlicensed staff. However, many actively seek out CNA students and graduates because they are investing in their future workforce. Here are the best places to focus your search.

1. Skilled Nursing Facilities & Nursing Homes

These facilities often have the highest need for hands-on patient care assistance and are accustomed to providing on-the-job training. With a 24/7 care model and high patient-to-staff ratios, they are consistently seeking motivated individuals to support their nursing teams. Your CNA training makes you a perfect, low-risk candidate to fill urgent gaps.

1. Large Hospital Systems

Major hospitals, especially those affiliated with universities, frequently have structured programs for nursing students and CNA graduates. They often use titles like “Patient Care Technician” or “Nurse Tech.” These programs are fantastic because they typically include a formal orientation, a preceptor, and a clear path for advancement once you become certified.

1. Assisted Living Facilities

The care level in assisted living is generally less acute than in a nursing home, which makes it an ideal environment for a new graduate. You’ll gain immense experience assisting residents with medication reminders, personal care, and social activities, all while building rapport with a more stable long-term population.

1. Inpatient Rehabilitation Centers

Rehab facilities help patients recover after surgery, illness, or injury. They need assistants to help with the high volume of mobility, ambulation, and therapy support. Here, you’ll work closely with physical and occupational therapists, giving you a unique perspective on patient recovery.

1. Home Health Agencies (with a caveat)

While you typically cannot work independently in a patient’s home, some agencies will hire you as a “Home Health Aide” to work under the direction of a Registered Nurse case manager. Your role might be to provide companionship and assist with non-medical tasks while the nurse handles clinical duties. Be upfront about your certification status during the interview.

1. Hospital “CNA Externship” Programs

Some hospitals partner directly with local CNA schools to offer externships. These are essentially guaranteed interviews and trial periods for top-performing students. Even if you’ve already graduated, contact your school’s career services to ask if they have partnerships with local hospitals. It can be the most direct route to a job.

1. Healthcare Staffing Agencies

Consider signing up with a staffing agency that specializes in healthcare. They have contracts with numerous facilities and can place you in per-diem or temporary roles. This is an excellent way to experience different work environments and find the perfect fit while you wait for your exam results.

Pro Tip: When applying, use the cover letter to your advantage. State clearly, “I have successfully completed my state-approved CNA training program and am preparing to sit for the certification exam. I am eager to apply my clinical skills in a supportive, hands-on role under the guidance of your nursing team.”

5 Job Titles to Search For (Besides “CNA”)

Searching for “CNA” jobs will filter you out of many opportunities. You need to think like a recruiter. Expand your job search by using these five alternative titles.

1. Patient Care Technician (PCT): This is a very common title in hospitals. It often implies a broader scope of practice that can include performing EKGs or phlebotomy, tasks many CNAs are trained to do.
2. Nurse Tech / Nursing Tech: Favored by large hospital systems, this title signals that you are working specifically on a nursing unit as part of the patient care team. It’s a great entry-level role.
3. Nursing Assistant Trainee: This title is refreshingly honest and explicitly states that you’re in a training phase. Facilities using this title are expecting to hire you before you’re certified and train you up.
4. Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP): This is a broader, more formal term. Searching for it can uncover openings in a variety of settings, especially in larger organizations that use standardized HR terminology.
5. Aide / Nursing Assistant (Certificate Pending): Be direct in your search! Some job postings will even say “(CNA Trained), (CNA-Pending),” or something similar. If you see this, it’s a golden opportunity they created specifically for you.

Common Mistake: Lying about or omitting your certification status on your resume or application. This is a red flags for employers and can lead to your immediate termination. Honesty about your status as a CNA graduate or trainee is not a weakness; it shows integrity and eagerness to learn the right way.

---

Your Action Plan: How to Find and Land the Job

Knowing where to look is only half the battle. Here’s your step-by-step plan to make it happen.

Step 1: Revamp Your Resume

Update your resume to reflect your new status. Instead of Work Experience, create a “Clinical Training” or “Healthcare Experience” section. List the name of your CNA program, your completion date, and your clinical site.

• Highlight Skills: Create a bulleted list of the clinical skills you mastered. Include vital signs, patient transfers, bathing and grooming assistance, infection control protocols, and charting/documentation.
• Use the Right Title: Your title at the top of your resume should be “CNA Graduate,” “Nursing Assistant Candidate,” or something similar that is accurate and professional.

Step 2: Strategic Job Searching

Don’t just search one site.

• Use major job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn, but filter using the job titles from the previous section.
• Go directly to the careers pages of local hospital systems and large nursing home chains.
• Network! Contact your CNA program instructors and clinical sites. Let them know you’re looking for a pre-certification position. A personal recommendation is powerful.

Step 3: Ace the Interview

The key question will be about your certification status. Prepare a confident, positive answer.

• Example Scenario: Imagine the interviewer asks, “The job posting is for a CNA. I see here you haven’t passed your exam yet. Can you explain?”
• Your Answer: “That’s correct. I have successfully completed the state-required [Number]-hour CNA program and have all my classroom hours and clinical rotations finished. I am actively preparing for my certification exam, which I have scheduled for [Date/Timeframe if known]. I am very eager to start applying my skills immediately in a supportive environment like yours and I’m confident I can make a real contribution to your team under the supervision of your nursing staff.”

This answer shows you’re honest, prepared, proactive, and solution-oriented.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it illegal for me to work as a CNA if I’m not certified? No, it’s not illegal as long as you are hired under a different job title (like UAP, Nurse Tech, or Trainee) and perform duties within the scope of that role. Your work must be supervised by a licensed nurse. It becomes illegal if you misrepresent yourself as a “Certified Nursing Assistant.”

Will I be paid less than a certified CNA? Yes, likely. These pre-certification or trainee positions typically have a lower starting wage. However, consider this an investment. Many facilities will automatically give you a raise upon proof of certification, and you’ll have “insider” status for raises and promotions.

What happens when I finally pass my certification exam? Congratulations! Provide your certificate and new CNA license number to your HR department immediately. They will update your job title, likely adjust your pay to the certified rate, and officially add you to the schedule as a CNA. You’ve already proven your value, so this transition is usually smooth.

Can I perform all CNA duties in this role? Not always. Your scope of practice as a trainee or UAP may be slightly more restricted than a certified CNA, depending on state law and facility policy. Your supervising nurse will clarify what you can and cannot do. Focus on excelling at every task you are given.

Conclusion

The period after finishing your CNA classes isn’t a dead-end; it’s a launchpad. Opportunities for meaningful, paid experience are widely available if you know where and how to look. By targeting specific facility types, searching with the right job titles, and presenting yourself as an eager, trainable candidate, you can turn this waiting time into a strategic career move. Gain the experience, build your confidence, and walk into your certification exam already a seasoned member of a healthcare team.

Have you worked in one of these roles while waiting for your certification? Share your experience and best tips in the comments below!

Want more CNA career advice, clinical pearls, and exam strategies delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and join thousands of aspiring and practicing CNAs!

Found this guide helpful? Share it with your CNA classmates and colleagues who are navigating the same journey