CNA training: Too difficult to work f/t and also go to college p/t?

[Elizabeth K.]

I currently work f/t. However, my hours are flexible and I can take off from work and stay home when I want. I work on 100% commission and have no set hours. I wanted to enroll in college p/t to start working on my prerequisites. Along with that, I decided to sign up for a CNA program.

I signed up for CNA I and CNA II. The class hours are:

CNA I : M-Fri, 4:45 - 9:45 p.m. all 4 weeks of September

CNA II: all day Saturday, all 4 Saturdays in October

Originally, I wasn't going to take a CNA course. I changed my mind and decided to because it will help me get a p/t job - which I really need in this economy since my f/t job is so slow. Also, it will help me figure out if I nursing is where I want to be. I wanted to take two college classes in the fall, but now I am taking the CNA I and CNA II courses. So, I'm wondering if I could do BOTH.

For those who have gone through CNA training, do you think it would be too much for me to take on let's say English 100 (online) and Math (also online) at the same time? I haven't taken my placement test yet, but I am pretty sure I will not place in Math 100. I will probably place in Algebra -- which means taking a class that will not count towards any degree.

Is CNA training mentally intense ????? I know there is as textbook, but I have no idea how intense it is. I was told there would be some homework, though. Although I'd be in class every evening Mon-Fri in September, I could maybe take two days off from my f/t job. I could use that time to work on English and Math homework. Technically, I'd be working p/t. I'd also have the weekend to work on homework.

Since I have no idea how intense CNA training is, I'm just worried that, with the addition of two college courses, I may fry my brain!!! I should also add that I haven't been in school in over 12 years!!! On one hand, I don't want to take on more than I can handle. On the other hand, I do want to start cranking out my prerequisites.

Am I taking on too much ???

[Tabbycoley]

you will be fine. for a nursing (adn).the math you need is elementary algebra. as for cna training you will learn how to take vs, make a bed, how to give a bath, adl's, ppe's, basic dressing changes, a light over view of the systems, and in some school how to draw labs. good luck and enjoy your journey!

tabbycoley, rn, bsn

[PedsHopeful]

I begin my CNA class on Sept 11 of this year. The class is every friday night for 4 hours and every saturday for about 6 hours. We do clinicals in December. Im also taking English 2 at the same time and work full time. I bought a CNA book ahead of time to look over and the material isnt very difficult. Most of it is common sense and simple memorization. Dont worry.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to the CNA Discussion forum for more feedback. Good luck to you!

[Misslady113]

I think you will be fine. Its not like your taking A&P and Cna courses. The math and english is basic, and so is the CNA course. When I was going to college fulltime I was taking about 4 courses a semester plus an EMT class, working, and taking care of my child. It was rough, but was possible. I think it depends on your responcibilities and your determination.

As far as if the course is intense, I will tell you that it depends on your school and instructor. My class was very intense. It was 5 weeks long, 4 days a week, 9-3. We had to do skills and lessons in the class. Then the instructor would give us five (long) chapters to read a night plus do the workbook for each chapter, which consisted of 4 pages each chapter. We had to know everything in those chapters because everyday the next day we would have a test on what we learned the day before. I would spend about 4 extra hours a night doing the work. All the other students in my class wouldnt even do the workbook cause it was "too much for them".

Anyway good luck to you. I think you will be fine. :heartbeat