CNA Course Timing Question

[MissChloe]

I'm planning on taking a CNA course as the first step to becoming an RN!

I have some options about when to take it, and I'm trying to figure out when would be best. Career/job/money wise, the sooner the better. However, I'm trying to decide whether or not to take the course/exam when college is in session (I'm a junior). It would be towards the beginning of our term, and the class is only on Friday afternoons and weekend days. However, I'm not sure how much studying/homework is going to be involved. I've heard that it's mostly common knowledge, but I've also heard that it can be really hard. I know part of it depends on the class location, but do you think it would be doable for a full-time college student? I would also be taking 3 classes (a full load at my school, they are pretty fast paced) and working about 6 hours/week.

Advice? The course is $600 so I don't want to waste the time and money if I can't pass.

[Taffey]

I did not find my CNA class to be hard. The hard part was the time. It sounds like you do not have enough time. You may want to wait until Summer. Because you still have to study for all the your classes. Good luck

[Justanotherday]

I just found out something about my school and maybe it is true for yours, too. My school charges $1,800 for the CNA course. I was very disappointed at the hefty price tag. I could take it through the Red Cross for $925 and be done in 6 weeks but that class is an hour away. $1,800 will pay for 4 prereqs, so I decided to skip the CNA route and use the money towards classes I need to get into the nursing program. But it turns out that after one semester in the nursing program (NU 101) they allow you to take the CNA exam! So perhaps I can still work as a CNA part time while going through nursing school after all.