Becoming a CNA

What part of NJ are you in? I went through the CNA program at the end of last year at Somerset County Technology Institute in Bridgewater. It was a good program, good learning experience - all clinicals were in a local nursing home. You can look at a sample of how they schedule the program on http://www.scti.org.

Thanks, Poopie.

I live in New Providence, very close to Bridgewater. Another two questions:

1. How long did it take for you to complete (Sept - Dec = 4 months - does that complete the program?)

2. How much can one expect to make as a CNA? I'd like to work as a CNA a couple of nights a week while going to nursing school.

Thanks again for the info!

Melly06

What part of NJ are you in? I went through the CNA program at the end of last year at Somerset County Technology Institute in Bridgewater. It was a good program, good learning experience - all clinicals were in a local nursing home. You can look at a sample of how they schedule the program on www.scti.org.

I just wanted to drop a word and say that if you are getting into a nursing program you learn the cna skills after the first semester and hospitals may just hire you on that basis. i got hired as a Technical Partner at my hospital based on the fact that i am in nursing school, and i work 2-3 nights per week ,o and do all the things the aids do...im in california, it might be differant in the east coast but it saved me time to focus on my nursing requirements. i did spend 4 months getting my EMT license, but i havent used it because emt's only make 9 dollars an hour out here...:)

Melly06,

The program was from October through mid December and consisted of varying lengths of about 2 days/week. Like we would have class from 1pm to 8pm once a week and clinicals from 3-11 another day.

What I've seen so far for CNA salaries is about $10-$12/hr.

Let me know if I can answer anything else for you.

Do you know of any CNA, programs that are less than 4 months eg; 5 weeks????

I live in Mercer County- I found one in NY but it's too far.

I know about Mercer County and Somerset County (Scti)-

I know there is one on Rt.206 but, I forgot the name, does anyone know?

Melly06,

The other poster is right...after you finish your first semester of nursing school you will have learned everything that a CNA learns. I was also thinking about getting a job as a CNA, I searched the job postings on UMDNJ's website and Saint Barbabas, and they will hire you as a CNA is you get certified or have completed your first semest of nursing school, clinicals included. At my CC, Essex County College they offer a CNA course for free, if you're an Essex County resident...it's a 4 mth program. Maybe you should do research at your area CC's to see if they offer some of the same programs.

Hope this helps.

Fatima

Thank you. Unfortunately my first semester does not include a nursing class since I was unable to get into nur 130. I don't think clinical classes begin until you reach nur 132. That's fine, since I need to get chem and anatomy & phys out of the way first, before trying to get a job.

Melly

Melly06,

The other poster is right...after you finish your first semester of nursing school you will have learned everything that a CNA learns. I was also thinking about getting a job as a CNA, I searched the job postings on UMDNJ's website and Saint Barbabas, and they will hire you as a CNA is you get certified or have completed your first semest of nursing school, clinicals included. At my CC, Essex County College they offer a CNA course for free, if you're an Essex County resident...it's a 4 mth program. Maybe you should do research at your area CC's to see if they offer some of the same programs.

Hope this helps.

Fatima

I found a 8 week course in Hillsborough to become a CNA cost $660 +76 for test-

Medical Careers Training (908) number.

I am certified in NY and I want to know if I can transfer it to a New Jersey cna certificate!

I recently got 3 jobs in NJ with my NY certification. They didn't even check. One at an agency, one at a hospital per diem and one at a rehab. So you can find one in all areas that CNA's work in. I've worked with my NY Medical Assistant certification also. Ive done that for over a year and I was never asked to change.

Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing requires nursing assistant skills before you begin their program. They give the course for the month of July before the program begins in August. You can work across the street at the hospital while you continue on to get your RN. The cost of the nursing assistant course is only $500. It is in Montclair/Glen Ridge. It is not a certification course, but you will still be able to work for the same pay as a CNA. The hospital starts you off with almost $13 for the first 3 months, and then you get your eval.