What is CNA class like?

gwiazdaus · Jan 8, 2004

I took CNA training at our local nursing home a year ago. It was not through a college, so I am not sure how different that would be. However, here is what I can tell you about my training.

It was paid by a nursing home and we were also paid min wage/hr.

It lasted 4 wks including 1 wk of clinicals.

The first week we mostly studied in the classroom (with a test qd). The following weeks we were allowed to observe and then help on the floor with feeding, bed making, toileting, charting.

The skills you need to learn for your state exam depend on a state you live in. I am in NY and we had to learn 17 skills. For example:

Handwashing (everyone was tested on this one)

Bed making (occupied and unoccupied)

Vitals (excluding BP, not in NY)

Complete bed bath (excluding shampoo, not in NY)

Bed pan

Hair and nail care

Pericare

Partial bed bath

Emptying the urinary bag and measuring the output

Weight and height (regular standing scale)

ROM excercises (resident in bed) - this was taught by our PT dept

Transfer from bed to W/C and vice versa

I do not remember all the skills now but the above will give you an idea. It really is not difficult but because our training was rather short, there was not much time to practice skills. And of course there was another problem. What we saw on the floor was a BIT different from what we were expected to do on our exam. :)

Everybody was extremely nervous before taking the practical exam; however, we all passed except the 3 students who dropped during the course. And we had two great instructors and wonderful students in our group. A lot of humor plus hard studying.

Hope this helps a little.

Just remember that each state has its own requirements when it comes to practical skills. I have heard that some states have as many as 30 skills to learn. Yikes!

gwiazdaus · Jan 8, 2004

Oops, forgot to add a few things.

We had to wear a certain color scrubs to differentiate us from CNAs.

Our class had 10 students originally. Age-wise there were a few HS graduates with plans to continue further into nursing (RN) or already taking a nursing program. There were two career changers in their 30s, and two in their 40-50s.

sierranic · Jan 8, 2004

I took my class just a few months ago, I also needed it as a pre-req for our nursing program. I took the class during the day and it took, if I remember right around 2 1/2 to 3 weeks to complete. We attended class from 8-3 usually 3 times a week and the last week we went 7-3 which was 4 days of clinical.

In my class we had a total of 8 students, which the instructor said was really low. Guess average attendance is around 20+. Age ranges were from the low 20's to 40's. We were able to wear any type of scrubs that we wanted (printed, plain, it didn't matter). But attendance was really strict, we could miss one day of classroom, but absolutly no clinical.

Our classroom lec was composed of maily common knowledge, just brushing up on things that you would/should normally do if you were caring for someone. For example, don't walk into a room and grab there arm to take vitals, instead knock first, introduce yourself, then tell them that you need to take their vitals. Our class went over things like handwashing (the nursing way ) also how to move residents, when to rotate patients, how to feed, bathe, dress patients with specific disabilities. Also how to care for catheters and other body connected devices, what to watch out for such as bed sores, when to contact the nurse. etc. etc.

We even went over some basic anatomy and physiology things, such as how the heart works, what to look out for certain disorders ie. heart attack, stroke. Really the only way I can put it is that it was common knowledge.

Clinicals were set up to where we were paired off in two's and we cared for one patient the entire day. The last day we were on our own, the entire day with one patient. I had a great time and it was nothing like I had expected it to be. I was expecting to go in and do nothing but poop duty. But in reality once you get in there and even if that is something you have to deal with, you quickly get over it. Just keep in your mind that these people need you, and what you are doing for them is the greatest reward you can get even if they can't tell you that themselves. Also look at it this way, someday you may be in their position and hopefully you can get a CNA that will take care of you the way you would take care of your resident. That's how I looked at it!!

Overall it was an experience that I loved, even though I came home exasted (I commend the CNA's who work 8-12 hours a day with mulitiple patients!!! I don't know how you do it!). I would love to do CNA work while in nursing school, but the pay just isn't there and with two little ones in daycare I couldn't afford to do it, so instead I'll continue to work on the other side of health care (Insurance - Don't hate me - I just work there :rolleyes: ) until I can get my LPN or RN and go from there!!

Good luck with your class!! You'll have fun!!

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Jan 8, 2004

Pretty much what gwiazdaus (good job BTW!) said above. We had seven days of theory (classroom) and eight days of clinicals at a local LTC facility.

Wore scrubs throughout (three-week class presented by our CC, but not required as part of the ADN program). Excellent instructors.

You'll learn a lot!

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 8, 2004

Thank you all! Our course is 6 weeks long, with 3 half days of classroom a week, and seven full days of clinicals (plus CPR certification). I'm looking forward to it!