CNA training...?

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jul 1, 2011

It's always good to gain experience. Some people take the CNA class as a glimpse into the healthcare field..and they decide whether nursing is something they want to pursue or not. Your board of nursing might have a list of accredited CNA programs in your state, so check there. Good luck :)

bathrobemom, LPN · Jul 1, 2011

I took a CNA course this last March, so I'm still kind of new to all this, but I'll share what I know (hopefully I'm pretty accurate). The schools (tech and private) in my area (WI) require that you take a CNA course as a prerequisite to the nursing program. I don't know if that's kind of a standard or if that's just WI. Another thing about all the schools I've checked out is that if you take the CNA course, it has to be within 6 months of starting the nursing program. You will build on the skills you learn in your CNA course and will be expected to remember what you learned. If you take the course more than 6 months before you enter the nursing program, you have to take a refresher course or have a job as a CNA. Like I said, that's for WI, not sure how that works everywhere else. Just FYI because I didn't know that before I took the course. I haven't taken the state test yet, so I don't have any info on that. The CNA course I took was 8 weeks and I was lucky I wasn't working. Others in my class were working and one or two were in school. It was kind of intense, we covered at least 5 chapters a week for the first few weeks, then we had clinicals twice a week for 8 hours (starting at 5:50 am). If you're not working, this might be a good time for you to take the class. I'd say the job outlook is pretty good. Starting pay isn't great, but it seems as if you get paid for experience. I think a lot of people don't understand that it's hard work so there's a high turnover. I started working as a caregiver after I completed the course and I work for a private agency. I only have one client. I don't know how much you know about what CNA's do, but if you don't-you might want to know first. CNA's are kind of the grunts, if you want to be a CNA, you will be the person that helps get people up or to bed, help with toileting, grooming, feeding, etc. If you can't stand puke, poop, or pee, then don't take the course. My client is relatively young so I dealt with some menstruation issues. I didn't have to insert a tampon (not sure if I'm allowed to anyway), but this person might need help with that next time. Just to let you know what you might be dealing with in case you're squeamish about that kind of stuff (although I doubt that's a common situation, especially if you work in a nursing home). Hope that helps!

Jenni811, RN · Jul 1, 2011

Varies from state to state. I took my CNA about 5 years ago in Wisconsin when i was a senior in high school actually. I worked as a CNA in a nursing home for a year, then i applied to a hospital and worked there as well. So i was working 2 part time CNA jobs and going to nursing school (YIKES!) got to be too much after my first year and i quit the nursing home CNA job and kept my hospital CNA job.

It took me 6 weeks to do it...i had class i think it was tuesday and thursday after my high school classes and clinicals on Saturday. We had two clinical rotations in two different nursing homes. When we were done with the class we had to do a written test and a skills test. This skills test was randomly assigned by computer on what task we would have to do. So for example...the skill i had to do infront of the lady was proper donning and gloving, and measuring urine from a potty hat to a cylinder. You have to do it step by step by the book. Everyone also has to be tested on handwashing. Of course your skill that you have to test out on could be harder than what i had, such as making an occupied bed. Then you get your certifcation and you can work as a CNA.

i highly suggest it for everyone. Even if you don't work as a CNA. Because CNA you learn the basics....how to give someone a bed bath, how to make an occupied bed, how to do vitals, how to dress someone with a weak side, how to ambulate patients that have trouble ambulating and much more!! You really don't get taught these skills in nursing school- this is why alot of schools REQUIRE that you have your CNA (My school did). I only know of a few schools in my state (WI) that do not require a CNA.

best of luck.

Jenni

Jenni811, RN · Jul 1, 2011

Yes- and it goes FAST!!! i took a 6 week course, but i still had the same hours as everyone. we just met more often for longer hours. If you take a 12 week course, maybe you'll only meet once a week. That tends to work out better for people who are working and just don't have the time to commit to 3 days a week.

MyGranniePanties · Jul 1, 2011

Thanks for the info guys. I am going to look into it more come tuesday. I hope I can find a program that will work around my upcoming fall schedule.

Btw, I giggled a little @ "tested for handwashing" it makes sense once you think about it, but still funny the first time you read it!!

Jenni811, RN · Jul 1, 2011

Yes, they were really picky on the handwashing. A girl actually failed because when she was getting tested on handwashing she bumped the edge of the sink and didn't "re-wash" her hands after bumping her clean hands on the edge of th sink.