CNA class, what is it like?

[la mama 310]

Hi all! I love this new CNA forum. I am really anxious to get into the nursing field so I enrolled in a CNA class

at my community college which is 3 months and home health aid for 2 . I wondered what the work load for this

class is (it's two nights, one weekend, then one night and two weekend days for about 5 months) Because I

really need to get a move on my pre reqs I also enrolled in Anatomy 1 and Chemistry 20 (which is the easiest

chem I could take without taking math) The good news is I am only working about 10 hours a week but I wonder

how much studying is CNA or is the difficult part the practicals (clinicals) What is the state board test like and

how hard is it? THanks in advance...I know this is alot, but I'm desperate to get this done!!!!

[ahjo7676]

MY class was 8 months most of the studying was for terminology, patient rights and abbreviations, its not hard if u pay attention. the test isnt too hard but alot of ppl fail due to their nerves getting the best of them

[la mama 310]

Do you think you also could have taken chem and anatomy on top of that?

[ahjo7676]

my program had anatomy 1 and 2 im not one who likes bookwork and studying but i passed it pretty easily. nothing about chem though

[rn2bnwi, BSN, RN]

My class was 8 weeks long , it was not that intensive in that i didn't spend a lot of time on it. i took anatomy at the same time and was fine. MY cna class met 3 days a week so i don't think i could have fit in a chemistry class but i would be MUCH more worried about combining anatomy with chemistry. unless its just anatomy and not the physiology. i took a&p 2 with chemistry and did fine with both but its what i lived and breathed. good luck!

[la mama 310]

Yeah that helps, thanks. Have you taken your test yet? Have you found a job

yet?

[la mama 310]

I've started with an agency with seniors with non medical home care. She is 92.

I thought it was companionsip, now I realize I'm really the housekeeper. Yay me.

Hopefully that is not what CNA work is all about! I was hoping to work in a hospitol or LTC facility.

[rn2bnwi, BSN, RN]

yes, i took my test a year ago and i worked through and agency. im starting the Accelerated Osh Kosh ba to Bsrn in may and won't be allowed to work but i enjoyed the experience. Good luck!

[Kim8501]

I enjoyed my CNA class, esp. the clinicals......most of my classmates hated the clinicals but to me they were my favorite part where I feel like I learned the most. I work in home health care, and have 2 clients I work with.....you do run into the occasional one that wants a "maid" but for the most part, the ones I have worked with are grateful & are thankful to be able to live in their own home v/s a ALF.

[colta]

I'm starting my CNA course in May, it's 18 weeks of in class and then 8 weeks of clinicals. Which seems crazy long compared to others who have posted.

We go over anatomy and such in the class, and they help you find a position afterwards. I'm not sure if it's different because of my province or country, but I still can't get over how short your classes get to be ... lucky!

[surgicalbum]

My class was short 3 months. The CNA was not hard at all, just listen in class. The skills are not bad either, just practice them in class and w/others before your state testing. Clinicals are what you make of them. I worked hard and did all I could for my CNA preceptor... I enjoy hosptial over LTC but that is just me. I plan on starting ADN this fall.

[matchsticktgt, LPN]

Just finished my first week of CNA classes - each day from 4:00 until 9:30 pm.....for 3 weeks. (off tomorrow for Good Friday). Third week will be clinicals and "dress rehearsal" for state exam. Covering more information that I expected, but I'm good with that. Have already had API, Micro and Chemistry, so the real "challenge" for me has been learning the skills exactly by the book, since that is actually how we are tested. First test was last night and 120 questions...I'm a compulsive study-er...so no problem with that.....