CNA South Florida!

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:D Hello! This is my first post and I joined in order to stay updated with the nursing world while in nursing school.

I am taking my CNA state exam next month and upon passing want to go right to work. I know most hospitals require at least a year experience to work for them, so sounds like assisted living/nursing home is where I must start. Any suggestions on the best places to work in the West Palm to Fort Lauderdale area? I am willing to travel a tad bit. Also, pay? I know it will not be to much, but what are employers paying? Any help would be great!!:D

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Where are you going to school for your CNA? Im trying to find a school that offers this.

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If you find out please let me know! I'm planning on moving out to west palm in January of next year and am taking my CNA certification in a week!!!

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Hello!

Sorry it took me a little to respond. I took it at Paramount Training Services in West Palm, just google it, it comes right up. They are the BEST, super informative, hands on, amazing staff, so welcoming. I randomly found it when looking online and I am SO glad I did. The classes can be completed over the weekend or throughout the week and they are condensed and to the point, so you do not waste months covering things that can be taught in a day. The instructors are there to help and its TOTALLY affordable, there is no place offering the class for what they do. The state exam is given at the institution which is a huge plus, as well as fingerprinting...so conveient. People can not believe they are taking classes over a year, which I did in a two weekend course....I was apprehensive that you may not learn as much, but in retrospect a CNA is a caregiver, all that you learn on the job. I honestly can not say enough good things about Paramount...they even have phlebotomy, med tech and all the BLS first aid courses...all completly accredited within Florida. Hope this helps!

http://www.fastcna.com/CLASS_SCHEDULES.html

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@fashionnscrubs

Hello,

I'm also in the south Florida area and in the process of taking a CNA class. I came cross Paramount also, but when I went to the list of approved Florida Cna schools I didn't see there name listed. I would also be taking EKG & Phelb. upon completion of CNA, but the one's offered by Paramount are a bit costly compared to what I have found.

Since completion of class have you been able to find a job, if so are you in a nursing homes or hospital?

Thanks in advice for any info you could offer! I wish everyone well :)

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Hey There,

Sorry on the late posting, I have not been on here much. Paramount is fully approved...I have my state license and all :-) A Florida State Registered Nurse Tests you on Test day and everything is 100% legit. They do have the EKG/Phelb as well and the teacher is awesome..its a fantastic classroom setup, friendly staff. They also ALWAYS help with finding jobs and upon completion give you contacts. I have not 100% given my all to finding a CNA job bc I am in school and my "non healthcare" job is paying me more than what I would make as a CNA. Soo, until my class load slows down and I pick up an extra job, Im sticking with my current job. BUT, I have applied many places, to be honest...not many call backs. Paramount was wonderful, I used them for CPR/First Aid and the CEU's..totally legit, dont even worry about that..the site you saw prob just didnt list them. Hope this helps!:)

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My friend and I are thinking of registering and attending the CNA training program at Paramount in Fort Pierce, FL. My mother (who teaches psych nursing at Indian River State College, and a bit of a professional snob when it comes to other schools) is concerned I won't receive the same training as with the college she is employed with. I've tried assuring her that it is the state test/license that you are trained for, and by passing that test, you are certified/licensed. My friend is not able to attend "regular college courses" at the state college due to her work sched and I cannot drive with my epilepsy. I would be able to ride with her and we would have each other to help study and prepare for our test. It looks like you were very happy with Paramount, so I'm just trying to determine if you were awarded the same license as a state college would give. Thank you so much in advance. :)

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Oooo Yes, of course! It is a complete Florida State License! Paramount is wonderful...you learn exactly what it is you need for the state test and more. To be honest, I was the same way when I was searching for a school....I was aprehensive that I would not learn to actually "do" the procedures, I thought they would simply say..."this is the correct answer." COmpletly not true at all..they teach you in a clinical type setting how to perform all of the routines...from denture care, to toileting, to transfering...all of the 24 or 28 clinical stations you are required to know. The instructors are CNA's or RN's with a lot of experience...I had Jacqui and she was a doll!...you will learn handwashing 100 times over and over, lol, bc it is the first thing that will fail you on the test....so along with learning the procedures(you will perform all of them repeatidly)....you will learn the type of questions on the test...and SERIOUSLY unless you simply do not have common sense, you will pass with flying colors. The state test(which is how you get your license) is given a few doors down from Paramount...this is a state testing center, so its not just for Paramount, everyone can test there!...In fact Palm Beach State College sends their students there to test....ooo Im talking about West Palm Paramount BTW... In regards to other schools...it is just NOT worth the money or time. I mean, why spend $1500 to sit in a 4 hour class, 3 times a week for 5 months, when you can take the CNA class for 3 days(or other depending on which week you choose) and get it done! It is the SAME exact stuff you will learn over a longgggg 5 months. I personally see no point in wasting your time worried about a class sceduale and all that stuff when you can just get it done :-) Plus, the jobs of a CNA is really learned from being with a resident/patient...no "school" can teach you. Paramount is the best way to go...plus its afordable, no place else offeres the rates they do for an honest, clean, friendly place! I took my CPR there to, bought the CEU's(they will explain this) and I am getting my med-tech certf. to. :-) I hope this answered your question!!! Totally state certified and could not be happier that I discovered them...I cant imagine being stuck for 5 months doing what you can do in 3 days!

Im gonna just add this, because I wish someone told me when I did my class....

I decided to persue CNA as a part time side job, while obtaining my RN degree and working a "real" job...bc you need the experience. Sign up to take the state test right away after you complete the class...bc it takes a bit to get a test date and obtain the certficate...

When the school gives you the "packet" of leads for jobs...persue them ALL!!! I barely got any call backs...which is strange to me bc FL desperatly needs good CNA's...eventually I found an awesome place and I love it!

Good Luck to you and your friend!!! Let me know if you have any questions!

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Hi ive read your post and i want to take the cna license exam. I actually took a five month course at mcfatter tech center in davie florida. I completed the course about 6 months ago. We have to sign up for the cna exam through prometrics and pay out $165 to take the state exam. I made the mistake of putting it off and continuing my studies at broward college and working my part time job. Ive made the decision to take the cna exam but i am worried about my skills. Even though it was only 6 months ago, the cna exam requires you to be very thorough. Anyway what im trying to say is im looking for a refresher prep course before i go to take the exam. From what you described paramount sounds very hands on to take the state exam. They actually review all 21 skills. Im wondering if i can just take the course through paramount and then take my cna exam through prometrics as i am worried the cna exam administered by paramount is not approved because i didnt see it on the website of state approved cna programs. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!

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Hey There!

Yes, the state testing is done with Prometrics. When you pay to take the test, they set it up for you through prometrics. It IS state approved...believe me, I did my research before investing any time or money into something that was a hoax or not "legit."

Paramount does not administer the test themselves, they have the PREP course, which is everything I mentioned in the posts above. Once you complete the course, you pay the $160(or whatever it is) and they make sure you have your fingerprints and prometric ID set up...Prometric then contacts you with a test date.

I myself, took the PREP class...and then got busy with life....then eventually wanted to take the test...it was about 5 or 6 months between the 2. The time lapse did not matter....once you figure out what your doing, its all repetitive and common sense. The state test is half online questions and the other is practical. You only have to demonstrate 3 of the skills...out of 21 or 24? When you go to the testing facility you are randomly giving a sheet of paper that tells you what skills you will be performing...but you only receive this once in the room with the state nurse. You will be complelty comfortable and it is not as nerve racking as I thought! I got recording weight, dental care and feeding. The Prep Course is great if you feel the need to review...either way, yes Prometric is who administers the test and it IS state approved :-)

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Hi thank you so much for the information. I called paramount and I decided im definitely going to take the prep course and then take the state exam with them. I just need to save up money. I was told it would be $518 total for the prep course, processing fee for the fingerprints and for the state exam itself. Im just wondering was there any other costs for the book and were you required to buy/wear a uniform during the class and exam? Are you working right now as a Cna? Where are you planning on doing your RN studies? Im stuck between broward college and Fau. Timing issues is my main concern. Sorry for all the questions but like most nursing students we never could ask enough questions. :)

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I was just at Paramount this weekend to do my finger prints. I wish I would have attended there from the start, but I went to Mcfatter. Let me tell you something, we didn't learn or get to demonstrat hardly any of the 21 skills. The guy told me that they have many coming from McFatter with the same complaint. I may take it again at Paramount, but think I am leaning more towards studying at home & youtube to pass.

But anyone looking to attend Paramount I don't think you will be making a bad decision. They have a great set up and seems to very organized, can't say the same for McFatter.

As for me I guess I have to prepare my own self to pass the test. Failure and trying again isn't a option, besides many people do it so I'm confident I can.

Good luck to all on this journey! :nurse:

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