OK...bit the bullet today and signed up for the Community College's vocational CNA training...but now I am poor after shelling out the $550 (no books, scrubs, or supplies included) for the course!
At least I won't be "beholding" to any institution after I'm done...I guess that's the "plus" side of paying it all yourself...
Anyhow...enough griping! I am stoked to be starting in February, and the class is online (with in-person clinical days) so it fits with my full-time work schedule.
My community college class was $1,995! And that did not include scrubs, books, or any sort of extra anything. For my course it was:
class $1,995
scrubs $100
transfer belt $25
books $100
tech fee $35
name pin $10
shoes (whatever you wanted to spend, I spent $20 at Walmart)
Stethoscope (optional) $15 at school book store
Total out of pocket: $2300!!!!
The worst part for me is that at the end of the course I found out I was pregnant (big surprise), and was HORRIBLY sick throughout my pregnancy. (I was physically ill for months, I couldn't function at all) My baby had some health issues when he was born, so I was never able to get my certification! I'm getting ready to start back to school for my nursing pre-req's and was thinking about getting my certification, but my class was about 3 years ago and I think I'd have to take a refresher course before I would be able to take my exam.
My community college class was $1,995! And that did not include scrubs, books, or any sort of extra anything. For my course it was:
class $1,995
scrubs $100
transfer belt $25
books $100
tech fee $35
name pin $10
shoes (whatever you wanted to spend, I spent $20 at Walmart)
Stethoscope (optional) $15 at school book store
Total out of pocket: $2300!!!!
The worst part for me is that at the end of the course I found out I was pregnant (big surprise), and was HORRIBLY sick throughout my pregnancy. (I was physically ill for months, I couldn't function at all) My baby had some health issues when he was born, so I was never able to get my certification! I'm getting ready to start back to school for my nursing pre-req's and was thinking about getting my certification, but my class was about 3 years ago and I think I'd have to take a refresher course before I would be able to take my exam.
Depending on the state, you might have to start all over again. I know thats how it is in NC.
2300?
My class with books was 300 and the other stuff was around 30. Heres hoping its cheaper this time around for you!
Depending on the state, you might have to start all over again. I know thats how it is in NC.
2300?
My class with books was 300 and the other stuff was around 30. Heres hoping its cheaper this time around for you!
Yes, I think in my state we have two years after our class to get certified, so I'm a year past that limit. I know of another class in my area that's only $650, and I can use the scrubs and other equipment I already have. I may look into it in the summer.
Well...I guess it is possible to teach an old dog a new trick or two...
My February CNA class came to a conclusion Friday night with the successful completion of 4 skills + vitals, and a testing form with the words "Pass-congratulations" on it!
The written was very easy based on the textbook and class instruction we received. We were quite "over prepared" for the written, and for this, I was glad.
The skills test (which I was very nervous for, and my test proctor knew it) was easier than I thought it would be. The proctor was very encouraging, told me to relax, take a deep breath, and concentrate on the skill. I only missed 4 non-critical steps, and no critical ones.
Total cost for the certification is as follows:
Online class + clinicals (includes hospital + LTC study) $550
Textbook $80 (I am passing this on to another student for $30 today, so essentially $50)
Scrubs $25
Misc supplies (BP cuff & 'scope purchased at ALLHEART.com) $50
The online experience was very good. It was the best to fit my schedule, and the outcome (certification) was good.
Thanks to Suesquatch and everyone else for their encouragement with this whole "radical career change" thing!
Last year I considered taking a nursing assistant training class at my community college. It would've cost me $749, which is too high to train as a nursing assistant. I was fortunate to be trained for free at the facility I"m at now. I had a very brief 2 day orientation and then I trained for 4 weeks. I bought a nursing assistant book off amazon to use as a reference and my scrubs were quite cheap too. Now I'm being trained to be a PCT and will be taking phlebotomy courses next month.
That is certainly a lot of money. I don't know if they have this in your area, but I just thought I would post this. I took a six hour course on becoming a CNA, and now I am signed up to take the test in two weeks. It only cost me 175.00. The instructor even offers one on one tutoring to go over skills personally.
It's such a shame, because all I keep hearing about the test is that it is NOTHING like real life. The class I went to reviews test questions as well goes over all of the skills. Because all you really need to know for the test is how to do the skills according to your state's exam facility.
Once you get a job, you have a training period anyway, and there you will learn that specific facilitie's procedures and policies. Having the full course will be a benefit, though, because you get hands on experience, but I must say that I was very happy to have taken the one day course and I am on my way.
Lots of luck!
Ellen
May I ask how you were qualified to take the certifying exam with only a six hour class? It was my understanding that OBRA requirements included at least 75 hours of instruction including at least 16 hours clinical experience. I don't see how those requirements can be met taking a class such as the one you describe.
Depends on the state. Here in FL you can "challenge" the exam without and instruction or a lot of people take a week long, 2 weekend, nights, etc class so they know what they are doing for the skills test.
for the course!
aleighc1
33 Posts
My community college class was $1,995! And that did not include scrubs, books, or any sort of extra anything. For my course it was:
class $1,995
scrubs $100
transfer belt $25
books $100
tech fee $35
name pin $10
shoes (whatever you wanted to spend, I spent $20 at Walmart)
Stethoscope (optional) $15 at school book store
Total out of pocket: $2300!!!!
The worst part for me is that at the end of the course I found out I was pregnant (big surprise), and was HORRIBLY sick throughout my pregnancy. (I was physically ill for months, I couldn't function at all) My baby had some health issues when he was born, so I was never able to get my certification! I'm getting ready to start back to school for my nursing pre-req's and was thinking about getting my certification, but my class was about 3 years ago and I think I'd have to take a refresher course before I would be able to take my exam.