CNA Course Workload

[SeanPN777]

Hey everyone!

I am in pre-nursing and currently taking 13 credit hours of classes on a shortened summer schedule (Eng, Psy, His, A&P1), Mon-Thur... 8am to 2:30pm. However, I didn't get as much financial aid as I thought I would so I really need a good job.

I found a place that does night classes (6pm to 10pm) that will get me CNA certified in 6 weeks... 3 weeks class, 3 weeks clinicals at a nursing home.

My question is for anyone who has done something similar or has any insight into how heavy the courseload is for these CNA classes. I'm doing great in school but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew, however, if I don't get a job soon I'm really going to be up the creek.

I chose CNA so I could work 3 twelves on nights and then do my classes, plus get a leg up in familiarization so when I do my clinicals for my nursing degree I'll be ahead of the curve. Also, now is a great time to get a CNA job as many nursing students just graduated and are moving out of CNA to RN, so I can strike while the iron is hot.

Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!

[RunBabyRN]

I didn't do that, but I think that sounds like a fantastic option if you can swing it. How much will it cost you? Look at your other course load and make sure you're not biting off more than you can chew with the class. Plenty of us have had to work while going to school full-time. I just wasn't a CNA.

[SeanPN777]

The class is $65 - Registration, $50 - Books & Fees, $840 - Tuition... Totals out to $955.

I also thought that going this route would give me a lot of networking opportunities to find a position as an RN once I'm done with school. I guy talked to did this and he had a job waiting for him since he had worked as a PCT while finishing his ADN. Now he's completing his BSN. I would like to take a similar path and this seems like a good way to do it.

With exception to A&P1 (due to all the memorization), my current courses are pretty easy so I think I can do this.

[RunBabyRN]

DO IT. DO IT. DO IT.

It's great to work as a CNA/PCT before nursing school, IMO. You get comfortable with touching patients and with some of the basic fundamentals of nursing, which allows you to focus on the new stuff and on thinking more critically, as opposed to learning how to do a bed bath and how to take a proper blood pressure.

I have classmates who were CNAs in school, and not one of them had a job waiting for them when they graduated. You can do a lot of networking in school during clinicals (if you're smart!). That's how I have a job offer waiting for me for when I pass the NCLEX. But I do agree with you that it's a good way to network, and it CAN help when it comes time to find RN work. Be smart about how you go about it, get to know nurse managers, and *once you're working* (and NOT when you're looking for CNA work), make it clear you're going to nursing school and would love to work on X unit at some point.

[SeanPN777]

Cool... Thanks RBR... really appreciate the insight! So you're saying not to be vocal about being in nursing school while looking for a CNA job?

[RunBabyRN]

It shows that you're a short timer. You might say that EVENTUALLY you plan to do so, and "happen" to get in while you work there, but don't be too open about going soon.

[Little_Bear2013]

Honestly, no offense intended towards CNA's but I thought the CNA tests & even the state exam were all a joke & almost anyone could pass it. About 95% of every single question on each test was common sense, I & most of the class didn't even have to crack the book open to take the tests.

As long as you can handle the clinical times & the state board exam time that go along with it, you'll do fine in the course.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

the test may be easy, but you probably have to have the class to be eligible to take the test. It would be worth your time to see if you can challenge it and forget the classes. If you have the $$ I say go for it. I worked full time during my ADN, BSN and MSN programs because I did not have a choice. It is hard but can be done.