CNA or Healthcare Assistant?

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Hello All,

I've recently been looking to work in the medical field and eventually become a nurse. I've recently talked with a counselor at Kaplan college for a healthcare assistant program that lasts for 9 months and costs about 16,000!(about 6,000 w/financial aid).

My question is, is it more beneficial to go thru a lower cost cna program and get firsthand experience or go to Kaplan's curriculum?

Any advice would be appreciated, I'm a little lost and would like to educate myself before going in debt with tuition expense :)

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I'd pick a cheaper program.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I don't exactly know what a "healthcare assistant" is. I doubt whether it is a certificate that potential employers would recognize either. Entry-level jobs are geared toward CNA or MAs. That is waaaaaay too expensive. You can become a CNA for a fracion of that cost and time.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, tienti:

In our area, one can become a CNA for well under $1,000. Some agencies will provide the training as part of the job (free CNA). In terms of a cost comparison, I'm working towards becoming a RN. My associate will run a little over $18,000; while it is a 3 year journey (1 year completed for prerequisites, 2 years ahead of me) compared to 9 months... hmmm, for $2k more a RN vs. a health assistant that costs > 16 times that of a CNA.

Thank you.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Some career doors open ONLY to CNAs. And as stated, what is a 'healthcare assistant'? Is that like a 'medical assistant' or a 'personal care tech'?

A fancy sounding title with an expensive pricetag wouldn't be for me.

For $16,000, you could get a CNA and be just about almost all done with an Associate degree for your RN.

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