American Red Cross CNA Training?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi There,

I was wondering, does anyone here have any experience with the Red Cross for Nurse's Assistant training? I am in Los Angeles. It says that it is a 28 day program. Is that a good program to enroll in?

Also, I hear that CNAs are in demand. Does that mean there will be a lot of employment prospects after licensing? I am interested in doing a hospital based diploma program or ADN at a community college, but I would like to be able to start working right away.

Any insights are much appreciated. Thanks :)

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I can't speak from personal experience, but many of my classmates did the American Red Cross CNA program, as our BSN program required certification. I'm up in the Bay Area.

Have you found a hospital-based diploma program? I haven't heard of any being held in many years. Be aware that ADN will limit your options in CA- few hospitals, especially in the major metro areas like LA, are hiring nurses without AT LEAST a BSN. I know in SF there's one hospital that requires MSN for floor nurses. ADN nurses are sometimes able to find work in home health or long term care.

I can't speak to job prospects for CNAs, but I know that here, it's hard for CNAs to get hospital work. Most work, like ADN nurses, in long term care or home health up here.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Please think long and hard about ADN and/or diploma programs for your RN! See above post and all the others re RN education entry levels.

REAL LONG & REAL HARD!

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I am not set on any one career pathway. That's why I'm doing CNA first. My Mom did that and she did tell me to get BSN.

I don't mind working in a nursing home or long term care facility. I volunteered when my Mom was there and I loved it!

I had no idea that an ADN is so looked down upon with regards to employment prospects. I just thought it would be a good stepping stone. Also, I don't plan on staying in California long term.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
I am not set on any one career pathway. That's why I'm doing CNA first. My Mom did that and she did tell me to get BSN.

I don't mind working in a nursing home or long term care facility. I volunteered when my Mom was there and I loved it!

I had no idea that an ADN is so looked down upon with regards to employment prospects. I just thought it would be a good stepping stone. Also, I don't plan on staying in California long term.

Sadly, because CA pays the best in the country (unions), the market is CRAZY saturated, which is why ADN nurses are in such a bad position here. If you plan to move elsewhere, your prospects will be much better (but research the job markets where you're looking, of course!!).

Have you spoken with LTC nurses recently? The workload is pretty heavy, and it can be very stressful. Take a look at the LTC forum to get a sense of what nurses in this area are facing today. If it interests you, go for it!! It's not my cup of tea, and I found it's just not something I could do (1:36 ratio with the pt acuity we had made me feel unsafe practicing nursing).

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No, I haven't. And that's great advice, thank you. I will check it out. I do understand employers wanting nurses with more education, but don't they need assistants too? lol RNs have a pretty hefty workload as it is.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
No, I haven't. And that's great advice, thank you. I will check it out. I do understand employers wanting nurses with more education, but don't they need assistants too? lol RNs have a pretty hefty workload as it is.

ADNs don't work as assistants to BSN nurses, they work alongside us. I know it's frustrating, especially with how hard one works to earn that ADN, to see such poor prospects.

I agree with you about the nursing workload- it's pretty crazy how much they expect us to do with less, and somehow we have to do it even more safely and with more documentation and checklists and seminars with such a litigious society.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

In my experience in northern cal, there are work opportunities available to CNAs. However, they don't pay well. I earned $9-11.31/hr as a CNA from 2011 to 2013. I became an Lvn because I needed more income. I was able to find work as an LVN. I will complete my ADN, then BSN. The good thing about nursing is you can remain in the field working as you complete more schooling. It just takes longer this way, vs going straight to a BSN. However, if you need to work sooner, you can go step by step.

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I personally did the Red Cross CNA program because I wanted to finish it during a summer session in between college. It's pretty easy but very good and you are prepared, however pay for CNAs is like $11 max unless you are in a hospital, but most won't hire you in a hospital unless you have 2 years of experience no matter what your education level is (personal experience). So just be prepared. I am currently in an ABSN/MSN program and I think it helped a lot to have the experience.

As for the ADN, my best friend just finished a program in the sf valley and she got a job at a good hospital, but she also went to a really well know cc and was one of the top people in her class. Others have waited over a year to get hired with an ADN so it just depends on if you want to work extra hard searching to get a job or just get the BSN in the beginning and have more options. Most hospitals in LA are either magnet or trying to become magnet and they have to have a higher percentage of BSNs thank ADNs that's why they can't hire anymore than the already have grandfathered in. Even the nurses at the hospital I work at have to finish their BSN bridge program to keep their job. So it's up to you.

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My friend did the Red Cross program, it is short and intense and in her class, a high freak out rate. Since you are here in LA, I did mine at Burbank Adult school, it was 389 bucks instead of 1500 and it lasted a whole semester, so you got to ease into what you were doing. The jobs for a CNA, I have found is mostly in nursing homes or agencies. Most of my class did not find jobs after class, but I my motivation was to be able to put it on my nursing applications.

As for the ADN, you have to start somewhere! Most ADN programs have a connection with Cal States which will allow you to take classes during the interim and complete a BSN with an additional year of study upon completion of your ADN. The competition to get right into a 4 year program is stiff and unless you are a 4.0 student, I would focus on the ADN programs. Most of my friends who graduated with an ADN are working and the rest are looking into BSN programs.

What programs are you applying for and did you take your TEAS?

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