[PoppeyGirl]

Hi everyone, I am curious if anyone has heard of or trained at the Grace Institute for CNA classes? I am waiting to get into nursing school in AZ and have finished all my prereqs and coreqs. I can't get my foot in the door at a hospital to get a job so this is my alternative. I am a little wary. Any advice would be appreciated.

[JessLJ]

I've been helping my boyfriend with some research on various CNA programs. Grace Institute cost significantly more than RSAA, so he chose to go with RSAA. Also, a few different facilities recommended RSAA to us. To us, we saw no reason to spend more than necessary as long as the training was quality, and it sounds like there's nothing wrong with RSAA. If you'd like some information about RSAA I still have my boyfriend's enrollment packet if you wanted to review it.

I know that's not a lot of advice. Sorry.

[PoppeyGirl]

Thanks for the info. I also looked into RSAA but they are really far for me to drive and I would spend the same in gas as I am paying extra for Grace which is closer. I live in the North west valley. Thanks for your help though, I really appreciate it.

[JessLJ]

I wish ya the best of luck! Sorry I wasn't much help.

We're pretty out of the way of RSAA as well, but with there being a nearly $500 difference we figured that as long as gas doesn't go up to $7/gal (*crosses fingers*) we'd be better off.

[DeNage]

I went to Grace Institute last july. It was a small atmosphere and the teacher was awesome. i really liked her. I don't know the cost for the schooling as i took advantage of an adult continuing education program that payed for all the schooling. If you have not done the financial aspect of schooling check out Maricopa workforce connection. they will pay up to $6000.00 towards a NON-degree education program once you meet their requirements. It took me 1 month to get the funding for school for free, then i started in July and was done by August. the pace is fast, but if you do all your homework and study you'll do great. Ebere was thinking about offering the LPN classes when i was there. If she does i will be going back to Grace Institute for them. She was a very fun and thorough teacher.

Goodluck and i hope this answers your questions

[annria12]

Hi,

I wanted to reply to you and let you know that I recently attended and graduated from the CNA program that RSAA offers. I chose that school because they offered a better price on tuition and offered more for it; books, steth, scrub top, tb test. I chose the three week program and it flew by. I took the state board exam, (written and skills) at the school ,so having a familiar place to test helped with the nerves that rear their ugly heads. A month ago I thought the same thing as you, what more can I do to further this process along... so I signed up for it. Now I am applying for jobs as a CNA, although the actual license number is still pending. That's the only hold up.

I met so many fun people that are in my same boat but what I did learn was that they have chosen to travel to Casa Grande for an RN program because apparently in Pinal county, there isn't a wait for their nursing program! The one pre req they have though is to be a CNA, so I was thrilled that I have one class to take and I will qualify for that program. I don't mind the hour drive, I've been a stay at home Mom and cherish any time I get to just drive by myself! So, I would highly reccommend RSAA, the instructors are RN's, the owner is great and in three short weeks a student can be finished.

Don't get me wrong, there is homework every night and a person has to study for the test's and for the board. Seven o'clock is pretty early to start class, but they make coffee all day! So, I guess you can tell I enjoyed class. Good luck to you!

Ria

[PoppeyGirl]

Thanks everyone for all of your replies and help. I have just finished my first week of class at Grace Institute. I was a little nervous but it has turned out to be wonderful. The instructor is extremely qualified with her RN and MSN and now she is finishing with her PhD. My class size is small, just 7 of us in the evening 4-9 pm for 5 weeks. Clinicals are from 3:30-9:30 so no long 8-12 hours shifts right now. It is very hard for me to set those kinds of hours aside with it being summer and having 3 daughters. I am nervous about the state exam and all of the skills I have to learn. Just learned how to do Bloob pressure so i keep bugging everyone I know if I can use them as my guinea pig. If anyone has any advice on the board exam written or skills test please feel free to send it my way. Thanks again!!!