I'm a newbie. I've been a lurker for a long time, but just recently joined. so hello to you all.
I need some help...
I have 2 things left to do before I am apply to the program-
1) take Chemistry
2) Take the CNA course.
Well, there's no issue with #1, but #2 is starting to distress me!
I was enrolled in the CNA course for next quarter, everyting was set. The I got an email telling me it was being cancelled! ACK! :angryfire I emailed my advisor to find out what the deal was and she told me it was a "budgetary decission" and that she couldn't gaurantee the same thing wouldn't happen next quarter- which is the deadline for me to have everything in order to be able to apply!
SO now... I'm trying to find a CNA course out there somewhere.
I live in the Bothell/Kenmore/Woodinville area, and I have to take night, late evening, or weekend classes. I checked a few local places, and i am still in the process of getting some details. I'm pretty sure EdCC and BVCC aren't going to be options b/c they would reauire me to re-take a bunch of stuff I've already done, and I would have to attend for 2-3 quarters to get it all done.
HELP!
I just need to get my CNA- you'd think it wouldn't be that darn hard!
Are there any other schools, technical institutes or other training programs out there??????
j450n - How was your experience with NATI in Shoreline? Did you start working as a CNA after you completed the course? How were the clinicals? I start this week and just wondered how it went for you! Thanks very much!
Specializes in Float Pool, acute care, management/leadership.
Overall, it was a good experience and the program does a good job in getting you your CNA license. There were a couple of the instructors that I felt were preaching bedside manner, yet failed to relate in such a manner to students. I know one student that couldn't seem to take a manual blood pressure after several tries and one of the instructor's frustration was clearly evident. I felt bad for the student. Other than the aforementioned, everything seemed relatively smooth sailing. They place you in clinical at various nursing homes in the area depending on your location. Since I was living up north, I got one that was about a 15 minute drive from my house. It was almost 2 years ago when I did it, but I think they usually start at 6AM and last until about 2:30...and I think its 4 days in a row. By the last day, I actually got very attached to the residents and it was hard to leave.
I started working as a CNA in a hospital shortly after completing the course. I didn't have to complete the 6 months of working in a nursing home that most hospitals want because I had been working at local hospital since 2004 where I had gotten to know most the staff and was able to make connections through that. I guess I kind of got lucky. Although, most nursing homes will reimburse you for your CNA tuition fees upon employment. That's something that was never offered to me. Also, doing the skills labs in for the state exam in the same atmosphere as I learned them really helped me out.
Gosh, thanks for this information! I just got back from my first night class, and it was so nice to read this. I can tell it's going to be really informative, but a bit exhausting... Working full time on top of it all, so yeah... you know how it goes...! That's great that you were able to do clinicals near home - I'm hoping for that too. And that's fantastic to know that you got a job with a hospital! I'm really hoping for the same, but don't have an existing relationship with a hospital... Do you think it's pretty tough to get work in one with no experience? The instructor mentioned that most hospitals want to hire CNAs with at least six months of experience. The state licensing exam sounds stressful - and i'm a little anxious about the manual blood pressure...! Any tips on getting in good standing to get a position with a hospital? Again, thank you so much for your help!
Specializes in Float Pool, acute care, management/leadership.
If you can spare the time, you might try volunteering at a hospital and establishing a good rapport with some nurses on a specific unit. That may help expedite the process of getting that coveted hospital job :)
Don't stress the manual BP...the only thing that sucks is that the dual-headed stethoscopes they use are awful. I swear I could hear the "lub dub" better with my own ears. Practice makes perfect and from what I remember, not many students got BP during the state exam. I lucked out and got respirations. If you can, I would advise in investing in a good, but fairly inexpensive stethoscope and sphygmomanometer. I brought mine to the state exam and practiced in the lobby with other students while I was waiting.
Also, try to have one of your good friends or family members quiz you and be a patient a few days before the exam. That really helped me and definitely alleviated a lot of the stress.
I just had my last day of classroom experience at NATI today. Tomorrow I'll be taking a Skills class, and next week the final exam. Then I begin my clinicals. I enjoyed the classroom experience a lot. My teacher was great, and she enjoyed teaching and nursing, and you could just tell by the look on her face, as she was smiley and generally happy. One hard part about the class is that there are some people that just won't get it. And if you are interested in academic results, you may find yourself frustrated with these people as they may seem to hinder the progression of class days sometimes. Maybe a better entrance filter? Other than that I enjoyed the classroom experience and would generally recommend this school to anyone.
I am both happy and scared to death to do the clinicals as I have never been in an environment like that before, but I feel prepared due to the class.
My clinicals take place on weekends, so it is stretched out over two weeks, then you take the state exam after your final day of clinical experience.
I feel a great sense of accomplishment in completing this course, and in a few short weeks I join the ranks of medical care providers!
it attracts many to take the course and continue their employment there... I believe most of these LTCs have you fill out a job application prior to entering class and ask for your employment at some point. So not everyone may stay but it attracts enough workers for it to justify them teaching the class.
Im getting my CNA through a private course in Tukwila that is run by a RN and is registered with the state. Its $550, and they offer both day and night courses.
I graduated from NATI today by completing my clinicals. After this whole experience, I feel confident to work in this field and also feel as though I've grown up a bit as a person.
The clinicals instructor was awesome to work with and the staff at the nursing facility was great. I enjoyed getting to work with the students from my clinical class and got to know them a bit better and will kinda miss being around them since I've spent quite a bit of time with them during class and clinical.
I sit for the exam in a few weeks and am very confident and excited!
seattlerainsun
33 Posts