Curious About a Couple of Things...

gardenpartyy · Nov 30, 2008

It might vary class to class, but mine was like 3 weeks long. I had one pair of scrubs that I wore-I'd recommend like...2 or 3 pairs. You might want to call and find out about the materials(steth, bp cuff, gait belt) because mine provided me with my own. It was included in the cost of the course.

And as far as homework and studying goes, if you're a reasonably intelligent person, you should be fine with very minimal studying. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to transfer folks and wipe butt. The thing that usually causes people to drop out is personal problems. Just listen to what your instructor tells you and you'll be fine. :)

CNAMichelle · Nov 30, 2008

while the CNA class certainly isn't "hard" I think what material covered depends on where you take the classes,my class is 7 weeks long and although we do learn to "wipe butt" we also cover quite a few medical abbreviations and terminology,anatomy,blood borne pathogens,etc....its a lot of fun,I basically like all my classmates,I like the instructor,we do book work in the a.m and our skills in the afternoon,just obey the rules,do ya homework and study,you'll do great! so far I'm loving it. ps. I bought 3 sets of scrubs,we are required to wear a red top and white bottoms. goodluck and enjoy!

Speed Freak · Nov 30, 2008

Thanks for the response. I am quite excited about the whole thing. I hope the facility has a locker room or a place to change. With it being December, once I start working it will be kinda chilly riding my motorcycle to work in my scubs. :)

yousoldtheworld · Nov 30, 2008

If you already know what color of scrubs you need, I'd try to get at least 2 sets.

As for the BP cuff, stethoscope, and gait belt, I wouldn't buy them unless you are told you will need them. Every facility I have worked for has given me a gait belt. As for the BP cuff and steth, I have never had need for them. They usually have practice ones for you to use in class. Many facilities do not have CNAs take vital signs, and the one place I've worked where I did take vitals, we used a machine. When I needed to take a manual BP, the facility had cuffs and steths for us to use. If, in your class, it is indicated that you need to buy your own, they will tell you so in plenty of time to obtain them.

As for the studying, I never had homework in my class. The only real studying I did was abbreviations and skills steps before the test...index cards make wonderful study tools. I am a pretty fast learner. There were some people in the class who studied for hours every night, but for most people, I don't think it's necessary. If you do have homework, it'll probably be worksheets and the like.

Good luck, and relax. It won't be as hard as you think it will be going into it. :)

yousoldtheworld · Nov 30, 2008

Oh, and I forgot to add that comfortable shoes make a WORLD of difference. I'd rate them as the very most important supply you can get!

Speed Freak · Nov 30, 2008

Oh, and I forgot to add that comfortable shoes make a WORLD of difference. I'd rate them as the very most important supply you can get!

I own a gas station for a while and spent a lot of time on my feet. I have an ankle that has been reconstructed twice. Once when I shattered it crashing my motorcycle into a car that ran a stop sign and once when I got shot during what I call "a spirited disagreement."

Because of that, I had to find shoes that would allow me to stay on my feet for long periods of time without my aknle getting sore and swelling up. After years of trial and error I found the most comfortable style of shoes! I never would have expected this style to be so good for my feet but they are and I swear by them. They are the skateboard shoes. I do not know what it is about them but they are very non-slip and comfortable. It is not any particular brand, it is the style and design of them. Even the cheapest off brand at Big 5 sporting goods has worked for me. I have a daughter who is an RN and I told her about them and she is now a convert who swears by them also. The only drawback is finding them in white is not easy.

yousoldtheworld · Nov 30, 2008

Interesting. I actually own a pair of skating shoes, I'd never thought of wearing them to work though!

I also have to be picky about my shoes...I am very accident prone, and as such, I have broken both of my feet in the past and sprained each ankle at least once. In addition, my feet are wide AND the way I walk seems to make me prone to blisters. Yeesh.

I have spent large amounts of money on expensive nursing shoes and after all of my looking, I've found that the shoes that work best for me are the dreaded ugly Crocs. They are light and flexible, so I don't get blisters. If I get one of the narrower, less clunky styles, I don't trip on them, and they are cushiony enough for me. I hate that I love them.

rancelumsden · Nov 30, 2008

Impossible to generalize about classes. It's like asking people all over the U.S. how difficult an algebra class will be. I had an instructor that was considered more difficult in that we had to participate in class by answering questions you would know though reading chapters. We also had a quiz every class day and had to maintain a 'c' average on those quizzes or were dropped from the class. Had written homework for every class (answering questions from the book). Exams in class same way --- lots of them and had to maintain 'c' average. We also did individual presentations on some disease of our choice.

Others had classes that it sounds like they could sleep through.

MichaelCNA · Nov 30, 2008

For male shoes, I'd recommend the "Michael" by Rockers. I loved them so much I bought a second pair. They aren't cheap though. They cost about $55-60 a pair dependant on where you buy them. I purchased mine online at Shoeline.com, who has pretty good specials from time to time.

In regards to CNA class coursework, we were never given homework, although some studying of medical terminology was required, as we were given four quizes that comprised one full test score. Worksheets related to ROM, I/O calculations, and dietary needs were completed in the classroom for review.

Good luck!

Mike