Wiggly Litchi 476 Posts Aug 8, 2017 Hey everyone!I was thinking about becoming a cna while taking classes for my RN. If any of you started out as a cna, can you give me some information on how it was? I want to work in a hospital as a cna so would that even be possible? What about the type of units you worked on? Do they allow cna in the labor and delivery unit? Please share!My CNA classes were about 12 weeks long; 1 day of skills-lab per week, plus online teaching, and 40hrs of clinicals.Check your local job market - here in my little corner of the states, they only really hire CNAs in hospitals after they have 1yr of experience; anything under that and you're going to be working in LTC/Rehab.The scope of practice in LTC/Rehab is much less...'glamorous' (as if CNA work was glam to begin with haha), but for the most part, things like vitals are taken by the nurse so you'll only really get to help with ADLs (feeding, bathing, clothing, changing etc) and maybe even some light housekeeping, but that depends on the facility.That being said, it really depends on what the job market is like in your area - the city I lived in prior to my current residence had a wonderful hospital that took on fresh CNAs and gave them lots of room to learn and grow; it was an awesome place As a final note - Being a CNA isn't a bad thing if you have the time for it (while you're working on your RN); even if you're in an LTCF, you'll pick up on things and learn a few tricks that you'll carry with you throughout your career.
Dshiver4 16 Posts Aug 8, 2017 Jtingle44 Thanks!!! I am excited for sure, a Doula (labor) is someone who is trained to assist during childbirth- we use various non clinical approaches to assist the mother with a variety of tools and support for her and her family. My heart is with helping new moms, I just love what I do, the only reason I want to be a nurse in L&D is because of the set schedule. But I love the clinical side of things as well! And as far as CNA certs go some of the hospitals often will accept you without CNA IF YOU HAVE prior "experience" or you have adequate education ( nursing Prerequisites and some sort of background like volunteering with certain units will help) since I have been working as a doula they allowed me to sign on because I am applied to nursing school which I am awaiting word on but have considered the CNA program here because it's 3 rigorous weeks but. Considering its a certification I think it would be worth it.
OliveOyl91, BSN, RN 292 Posts Specializes in Orthopedics, Trauma. Aug 8, 2017 In my area, most people take CNA 1 at the community college and it lasts 3 months. 5 months sounds a little long to me, but maybe that's the norm for where you live. Usually you are required to have a CNA 2 to be eligible to work in the hospital. Happy to help! :)I earned my CNA 1 in Oregon as well, but instead of paying an additional $900 for my CNA 2, I transferred my CNA 1 to Washington for about $70 and work at a hospital in Vancouver. I lucked out and found a CNA class that was weekends only. It took about three months to finish it that way, but I was able to work around it. It was the cost and the schedules of the CNA 2 programs that prevented me from ever going that far when I could work in Washington.
Jtingle44 72 Posts Aug 8, 2017 @Dshiver4 That's so amazing. How long did it take You to get certified? Were the classes expensive? I want to specialize in either mother/baby or L&D once I become an RN. Ill be volunteering to do the baby cuddling so hopefully I can land a cna job while going to school. Ill be applying to nursing school next month.
Dshiver4 16 Posts Aug 8, 2017 @Dshiver4 That's so amazing. How long did it take You to get certified? Were the classes expensive? I want to specialize in either mother/baby or L&D once I become an RN. Ill be volunteering to do the baby cuddling so hopefully I can land a cna job while going to school. Ill be applying to nursing school next month.The certification process took me around 9-12 months ... I worked very hard to read all books and study and get my certification births in. Some people who don't have kids can do it in less time however I don't think fast is what you want anyways ... in my opinion the slower you go the more you retain! I learned something different at each birth! You pay an annual fee as well as class costs to keep your certification! It generally costs $1000-$2000 with books and everything you will pay for out of pocket ... all books etc you have to purchase I think my school had 12 books we had to read and report them... alongside a huge load of self paced workbooks and then the "labor hours" now you CNA always certify for postpartum Doula as well, you would care for mom, and her family as well just in a different way- both are amazing I just tried the certification births for both and decided labor was where I wanted to be- but I enjoyed both!
tropsnegRN, ADN, BSN, RN 2 Articles; 65 Posts Specializes in Cardiac, COVID-19, Telemetry. Has 4 years experience. Aug 9, 2017 I got my CNA certificate at no cost to me through a local nursing home. I originally applied there and did that to see if I could handle being a nurse, because I quit my legal career to go back to school because I was sir of sitting behind a desk all day. I fell in love with it. After about 6 months at the SNF, some things went sour and I didn't feel comfortable staying employed at that facility for fear of losing my certification. I then applied for a MST position at a hospital by my house and I now work there. I work the Cardiac Step Down Unit and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Everyone is so supportive of me going to nursing school, the nurses show me everything that they do when they're doing a procedure, and I have a lot of resources. I work full time night shift. Now that school is about to start, I will no longer work my typical schedule (basically like 7 on/7 off), I will just work Sat-Mon every week. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I tended bar/waited tables while I got my Bachelor's the first time and while I made more money doing that, the experience I have gained at the hospital I feel will be invaluable.Also! The hospital I am at has a scholarship for my tuition and books! So that's a plus.
OliveOyl91, BSN, RN 292 Posts Specializes in Orthopedics, Trauma. Aug 9, 2017 I'm so envious of folks who were able to get their CNA for little or no cost. Where were these when I was looking? Lol. But seriously, way to go! It cost me over $1000 out of pocket to get my CNA and would have cost another $900 for my CNA 2. That's some expensive vocational training for a minimum wage job (to begin with).
Jtingle44 72 Posts Aug 9, 2017 Lol right! I found a lot for like $600 but the community college here only charges $250 which it awesome so I'm going to take that route . Its 4 months long but hey I can deal with it.
