This thread is for those of us who are enrolled in a CNA course right now, and/OR will be certified between March and April. Here is where we rant, network, and/or brag about the way our course (s) are going, our experiences finding a job after our course/internship is completed, and what our plans are for the future (Nursing school, etc.).
We started this topic in another thread, lets keep this going! :heartbeat
Here is a little YouTube humor for all of us potential CNA's. A typical day in the life of a Certified Nursing Assistant:
Does your school have a clinic? My Community College does and even if you have insurance it is cheaper than going to the doctor. I didn't go through my
insurance for that medical clearance stuff because I have a high deductible and
the titers and vacs fall under that... I pay all costs up front, then it goes to my
$5000 deductible.
I think that's what I'll have to do. I dont know why I didn't think of that in the 1st place lol. But I'm gonna go tomorrow after class & see how much it will be.
Specializes in 6 yrs LTC, 1 yr MedSurg, Wound Care.
Geez, I'm so sorry you guys aren't liking your classes. I found a link to some online videos of a CNA class if you haven't seen them yet. I've watched a few and plan on watching them over the next month until my CNA class starts. If you feel like you aren't getting everything out of your class maybe these will help.
I'm planning on attending a community college here in my town for my LPN. They offer a collaborative program with OU (University of Oklahoma) where you transfer for the RN degree. I decided I would work as a CNA until I get my LPN license, then work as an LPN while I get my RN degree.
Has anyone started to put together a resume or anything?
Geez, I'm so sorry you guys aren't liking your classes. I found a link to some online videos of a CNA class if you haven't seen them yet. I've watched a few and plan on watching them over the next month until my CNA class starts. If you feel like you aren't getting everything out of your class maybe these will help.
I'm planning on attending a community college here in my town for my LPN. They offer a collaborative program with OU (University of Oklahoma) where you transfer for the RN degree. I decided I would work as a CNA until I get my LPN license, then work as an LPN while I get my RN degree.
Has anyone started to put together a resume or anything?
No & I really need to. Since I'll be finished with the class in 3 weeks I'll just work on it now. Anyone started to look or apply for jobs yet?
Specializes in 6 yrs LTC, 1 yr MedSurg, Wound Care.
I pick up a Sunday paper every week to keep me motivated and to make me feel like the time I put into the class will be worth it because jobs ARE available.
I'm hoping I can get a job at a hospital. LTC is not my first choice, but Im not above it either. I've read here that hospitals will hire new CNAs if they know that they are going to be continuing their education so I'm trying to work that in on my resume or cover letter.
Plus, and I need to look into it some more, it would be nice for the hospital to PAY for my degree. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!
Specializes in 6 yrs LTC, 1 yr MedSurg, Wound Care.
Yeah, something like that would be great! I don't know exactly how much my tuition will be, but I know it isn't going to be cheap. I wouldnt mind working somewhere for a while to get it taken care of. Plus, you pretty much have a guaranteed job unless you do something stupid.
I am very happy to have found this post. I will be attending CNA classes starting Feb 23 at my local community college. I live in Northern NJ - close to NYC - I saw there was a New Yorker posting! I as well aspire to become an RN and am currently taking pre-reqs at my local community college. I am excited to hear everyone thoughts and hope to share some of my own once class begins:)
My ultimate goal is to become an R.N.. Becoming CNA seems like a terrific place to start! This will be a career change for me. I was formerly a software consultant with a now defunct company! The economy is rough! However, I decided to take the lay off as a sign to pursue my dream job and go back to school. I look forward to chatting with everyone :)
Wow! I'm glad to see so many people have joined us!
Today, I didn't have any class so I basically worked on getting any documents I needed or retrieving applications for documents I need in order to take BOARDS. I played around with the idea of re-vising my resume, and I'm considering upgrading my CNA cert. to Patient Care Tech after I'm done.
Does anyone think this is a good idea? The only difference is more money, of course, but we get to insert/remove foleys and catheters (I believe) and do blood work etc. Alot of people compare being a PCT to being an LPN except we dont make as much, OR have as much education.
But.
They are supposedly replacing LPNs with PCTs because it cheaper to hire us, and we basically have alot of the same skills ie: EKG and Phlebotomy + ADL Skills. However, I dont know if its worth it to pay for this class at the Allen School where i'm doing my CNA class because some facilities will train you on the job.
Other than that, this weekend i'll be studying and watching the CNA videos that I found on this site. Next week we are doing Personal Care: Bed baths, I/O etc My teacher totally put a couple people in place during class this week because they were "echoing" her. You know, the type of student that likes to complete the teachers sentences when the teacher is lecturing LOL. She said " If you feel you could teach my class, PLEASE! Come teach and I will sit down. Do not echo me. If you know everything, you dont need to be here. I did not survive 27 years in the ER being an idiot. You are here to learn, so if you know everything please leave. I already have my career! I will respect you, if you respect me. Long story short the person who was attacked had a history of being obnoxious in class and she doesnt disturb the class anymore. I didnt pay $1300 in a class to hear a student lecture!
Anyway, does anyone think the PCT upgrade is worth it? And, I see someone else is from NY! What CNA program are you in?
Specializes in 6 yrs LTC, 1 yr MedSurg, Wound Care.
I think Ive read here on the forum about hospitals training CNAs to become PCTs. I think it's a good idea if there's more money in it and the cost isn't too much. I wouldn't put $2000 into something that's only going to pay $0.50 more per hour. I don't know how much PCTs make though. You should try posting in the NY forum and see if someone there knows of any facilities that will do the training.
We had our midterm yesterday and I got 100!!! Well, I missed 2 but it was the highest in the class so he curved it to 100.
He did seem to start teaching a bit on Thursday and Friday.
We have to do a 10 minute presentation and report on an illness. We drew cards and I got COPD. I've been working on my presentation most of the evening and I'll do my report tomorrow.
Thanks for the welcome Dondie! I am excited to be part of the group. Hi SerendipityWomYn - I am from the NYC area - Bergen county - NJ - I will be taking my CNA class at bergen community college starting end of Feb. I have heard a lot as well about PCT's and also some hospitals in the area are posting positions for this as well as CNA. I have not found many PCT classes in the area - I did find one at York College in Queens that may be worth looking at for you and one at Raritan Valley College in NJ. From what I have read online is that PCT may have a little more flexiblitiy in getting a job due to Phelbotomy and EKG skills - also, you can become certified as a PCT as well thru the NHA certification program. The classes seem a bit long for perhaps not much more money, but maybe good for clinical experience if you are going to pursue and R.N.
:
My teacher totally put a couple people in place during class this week because they were "echoing" her. You know, the type of student that likes to complete the teachers sentences when the teacher is lecturing 
LOL. She said " If you feel you could teach my class, PLEASE! Come teach and I will sit down. Do not echo me. If you know everything, you dont need to be here. I did not survive 27 years in the ER being an idiot. You are here to learn, so if you know everything please leave. I already have my career! I will respect you, if you respect me. Long story short the person who was attacked had a history of being obnoxious in class and she doesnt disturb the class anymore. I didnt pay $1300 in a class to hear a student lecture! 
KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN
1,641 Posts
I think that's what I'll have to do. I dont know why I didn't think of that in the 1st place lol. But I'm gonna go tomorrow after class & see how much it will be.