Florida CNA's

[combkk]

I am considering going to school to become a CNA in September. :yeah:I was wondering if you can tell me how quickly you found a job, your starting pay and where you became a CNA first. I wanted to work in a hospital, but most job ads say you have to have a yr in a clinical setting.

Basically any advice-the good, the bad and the ugly!

Thanks!

[FLNA]

I passed the state CNA exam today. I must say, seeing difficulty in finding CNA work is really discouraging.

I am taking the CNA Exam On 09/04/09 as a challenger. I have not gone to any training program and I am extremely nervous about the clinical skills portion of the exam. I have taken the practice written test several times and score 100 each time, but I hear the instructors are really strict on the clinicals. I was told that I would have to do 4 clinicals in 35 minutes, but I don't know which 4 of the 22 I will be tested on. I have been a full time caregiver to an Alzheimers patient for the past four (4) years. She passed away in June and now I need work ASAP. I just got hired as an HHA for a private duty nursing agency, and should get my first assignment this week, although they don't bother training you on anything, you have to know what you are doing, which I should, but I don't want to walk into the exam next month with the arrogant attitude that I can pass the clinicals without having "proper" training" on how you are expected to perfrom. Is anyone familiar with Casel Healthcare Training Center in Melbourne? I am taking my exam through Prometric at Casel and was wondering if anyone could advise as to how difficult their clinical is, what clinicals you are tested on. I can't find any review courses in my area. I can do a weekend or even a one day review, but I don't know of any in South Brevard County. Any suggestions?? Thanks

[RNMarykay]

I am taking the CNA Exam On 09/04/09 as a challenger. I have not gone to any training program and I am extremely nervous about the clinical skills portion of the exam. I have taken the practice written test several times and score 100 each time, but I hear the instructors are really strict on the clinicals. I was told that I would have to do 4 clinicals in 35 minutes, but I don't know which 4 of the 22 I will be tested on. I have been a full time caregiver to an Alzheimers patient for the past four (4) years. She passed away in June and now I need work ASAP. I just got hired as an HHA for a private duty nursing agency, and should get my first assignment this week, although they don't bother training you on anything, you have to know what you are doing, which I should, but I don't want to walk into the exam next month with the arrogant attitude that I can pass the clinicals without having "proper" training" on how you are expected to perfrom. Is anyone familiar with Casel Healthcare Training Center in Melbourne? I am taking my exam through Prometric at Casel and was wondering if anyone could advise as to how difficult their clinical is, what clinicals you are tested on. I can't find any review courses in my area. I can do a weekend or even a one day review, but I don't know of any in South Brevard County. Any suggestions?? Thanks

I definitely think you need to know the steps involved in the clinical exams. Of the 9 people taking the exam only 3 of us passed the clinicals on the first attempt. I've heard you can find some videos online that will walk you through the clinical portions. Good luck!

[FLNA]

Thank you, I agree. Are you in Florida?

[zeppzepp2009]

This company has a location in Vero...not sure if that's close to you.

http://www.expresstrainingservices.com/v2/?p=12

[FLg8r]

these links should help. be sure to check the skills checklist at prometric's website ... it will tell you what they testers are looking for you to do do correctly and should help a lot. i was going to challenge it too, without any training, but decided against it and took a CNA testprep course. (after doing so, was glad that i did)

they actually test you on five skills: 2 of them are hand washing, which you do with each skill and client indirect care. you will only be tested on three actual skills from the checklist.

http://prometric.com/NurseAide/FL.htm

video demonstration of skills: http://deptets.fvtc.edu/nursing/index.htm

skills checklist: http://prometric.com/NR/rdonlyres/e4umqakng3sscbnbc66c4oh2xfdfavxtulzlc4qjvzlfsgdfqahkxusavqfhfqrk4wn2vvfzxi6z2tyk6g6jbmwbvvc/FLNAClinicalSkillsChecklist20071109.pdf

[FLNA]

Thank you for your replies. The Vero location is about 45 minutes to an hour from me, but they want aprox. $500 for a 40 hour prep course, and that includes your state exam fee, which I have already sent into Prometric. I paid them (Prometric) $127 for the written/clinical and FDLE background check, so I can't afford to pay for it again by taking the Vero 40 hour review course. The same applies to the Tampa Bay CNA course. I see they have a one day refresher class, 8:30 - 5:00, for $380.00, but that also includes the State Exam/FDLE fee. They sell the full course online for $99, but they say that they are legally not allowed to sell it in the State of Florida, although, the online video course was created specifally for Prometric/CNA Florida exam. Strange, huh? I think they have made sure that anyone in Florida taking the E-3 challenger, either goes through the training, or learns it on their own, maybe they hope you will fail so they can get more money out of you to take the clinical part again. Either way, I have printed out the Clinical Skills checklist from Prometrics site, was also given a copy by the owner of the testing site facility (Casel) and have gone over every one, but even If I practice every skill on the checklist with my Fiance every day as the resident/client :), I am still not completely comfortable taking the Clinical Skills part of the exam without some kind of "hands on" training by professionals. I need to see in action, the ROM excercises, proper way to ambulate using a gait belt, proper way to change occupied bed, proper way to drain and record urinay bag, proper catheter care, proper mouth and foot care, and proper perineal care. I've got the handwashing, safety, comfort, rights, etc downpacked, but I really need a one day or weekend review class. Although I have done all this for years for my grandmother on a daily basis, it doesn't mean I can perform it the way required for the exam. Anyway, thanks for all of your help. I will just have to practice, practice, practice, and pray, pray, pray.

[FLg8r]

i took mine at florida med prep .... http://shop.beacna.com/

it's about 2 hrs from you though. i took mine in pinellas park and it was well worth it. course was only $250

email me on here with your private email address. i'll scan and email you the study sheets they gave us for the skills part if you want.

[FLNA]

FLG8r: Where did you take your prep course? How much?. What 3 skills were you tested on and what test site did you go to? If you can reply, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[FLNA]

Sory, how do I email you?

[FLNA]

Thank you Flg8r

[displacedfloridian]

I did Florida Medical Prep also, on Leesburg, had Ray- awesome! I was so skeptical too, sounded like a "promo"...granted I have all pre-reqs done for nursing school- but no real clinical experience other than having been trained as a "patient-sitter". Florida Medical Prep's 4-day course was more than enough, but practice, practice, practice, so the day of the test it comes natural to you...now if only I could have kept my hand from shaking on test day when I had to do "mouth-care" as one of my skills....but I sort of worked it into my skill, telling my "patient" that my hand was a little shaky because he was my 1st patient to do mouth-care on...acknowledging the anxiety helps you ease the nerves...talk, OMG, talk talk talk..helped SO much...at 1st I forgot to talk when I was doing my initial handwashing, then I remembered, to talk about what I was doing..

[ebphillips]

I had Ray too. He's a fantastic teacher! Kept things interesting.

I have my test next Saturday (8/22)...