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

Hi there!

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Wow thank you for making me feel so much better about taking the cna prep course, since ive already taken a five month PCT course at mcfatter, you would think i would be ready to nail the cna state exam. I cant believe i was told mcfatter was one of the top tech schools in broward county. Let me begin by telling you i spent a long stretched out five months in a small classroom with one teacher who was not competent enough to teach the class about simple blood types. She would constantly misspell hers words on the board and she only seemed to care about her reputation to the school than the students actually education. She would make us stay longer than we had to only to make the hours she was required to put it in! The only thing that made me feel like the program was some-what worth it was the fact that we had to do a two month clinical in the hospital. That is basically where i learned most of my information. Due to the teachers lack of knowledge i only felt 50% prepared for clinical everytime which caused me to shy away. Dont worry because when i get to nursing school its going to be a totally different ball game. I know mcfatter has the 120 cna course, but i took the 600 pct course and still feel like im not prepared for the state exam. They do not teach the 21 skills for the test and what we do in clinical is obviously not how they want you to perform on the exam. I am getting money together to attend paramount.

Aspiring to be great- dont worry you will make it... all it takes is a little bit of confidence. Watch as many youtube videos as you can and practice on all your friends. I just want to do it at paramount because they teach you exactly how its done on the test. This is just a stepping stone to nursing school. No amount of school can prepare you for the real world, so getting a job as a PCT is going to be a huge plus for me! good luck to everyone aspiring to be nurses, we will get there!

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yes, we will get there!

many people claim that mcfatter is the best, but with that experience i have no desire to attend for my lpn. sheridan tech is my first choose.

@ greeneyez best of luck, let me know how things work out for you.

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Good Luck to you both! Im so happy you went to Paramount! I myself am on the journey of becoming an RN and it is by no means easy, but then again nothing worth it ever is. I really truly believe this experience of us being CNA's or PCT's will only benefit us in the future...after all...so many nursing students drop out becasse they cant stand to change a senior patients diaper or assist in tolieting..sad, yet true! Best wishes on ya'll journey.!!

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Hey There!

The book is included with the price of the class...Paramount actually wrote it, so its geared towards the test and covers a lot of useful info. KEEP IT!

The fingerprints/test fee can be paid anytime...you dont have to do it all when you take the class. I took the class and paid the $325(?) but waited several months to take the test...so I paid when I did that. In class no uniform is required, its very casual..just be sure to wear sneakers and socks, because you will be practicing patient roles on one another.

For the state exam you are required to wear scrubs..but any work!...bring a watch with a second hand..

I am FINALLY working as a CNA...after being able to cut back hrs in my "real job" and get my school sceduale consistent..I am working nights for a Assisted/Independent Facility. It was hard to find something to work around my sceduale, especially with no experience..that was the only bad thing I could say....but this place is wonderful and a joy to work for.

I am at Palm Beach State college working towards RN. How about you??

FAU is changing their exceptance requirements...I heard its super super tought to get into unless your a current student there and top of your class...

Broward and PBSC have great programs! I wish ya the best!!

Im so looking forward to being accepted...you know how it is..its like commmeee on alreadyyy...Im anxious to start!!! :-)

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hello fashionnscrubs,

happy to see others near me persuing the same journey. well as for me, i will be taking the long route. i'm trying to get into the lpn program and than later rn. i'm trying to learn to take one step at a time. so once i have this cna thing out the way i can totally focus on getting into a lpn program. preferablly at sheridan tech in broward, and then later rn @ edison state.

your work schedule seems to be similar to mine. i work f/t, and i will try & secure something p/t with the cna and probably nights as well. how long did it take you to find a job after you passed the test?

i wish you well and see you around!

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