HELP CNA

WildBlue · Dec 20, 2010

I live in North Carolina too, and actually I'm beginning CNA classes soon through Wake Technical Community College. There are a lot of community colleges that offer legit CNA courses, and most are inexpensive. Through WTCC, it's about a 2 month course that's roughly about $500.

cdheckel · Dec 20, 2010

Thank you so much I will look into it, now with that fee does it have to be paid upfront or payments accepted? I have also been told If I have intentions on doing the RN program that I should just do that program necause I will have to take the course again, however the difference is I will have some expereince and getting paid while I'm goin go to school for RN. do you have any suggestions on that?

Thanks again

Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN · Dec 21, 2010

I became a CNA first because I plan on going into nursing later. I would hate to spend thousands on nursing school only to find out that I hated it. Being a CNA will give you the opportunity to learn bedside care in a way that you probably wouldn't learn otherwise.

Try checking your state's forum to talk to people "closer to home". You'll probably get a better response as to where you can take classes.

WildBlue · Dec 22, 2010

As Dondie said, there's an NC section here where you can ask your questions to people in our state :). As for your question about the payment, the program I'm taking has a registration fee of $242, background check fee of $28, and that all has to be paid before you take classes. I'm not so sure if there's any more fees beyond that, but those are the ones that must be paid before you begin classes. I'm getting my CNA certification because it's a prerequisite to the RN program they have, also to pay for my classes, give me an idea of what being in this field is like, get me experience in the field, get my foot in the door etc. So if you're ultimately going to be an RN, CNA is definitely a very good first step in the right direction. Best of luck to you!

northernguy · Dec 22, 2010

Whatever class you pick, just make sure at the end of it you are authorized to take the state CNA exam(assuming NC has one), and that the course prepares you for the exam. As for whether the school prepares you for working as a CNA, I wouldnt worry a lot about that. In my opinion being a CNA is something you pretty much have to learn on the job. CNA school is just a formality, so I would choose the quickest and cheapest school. I went to a pretty good school with an outstanding reputation, graduated at the top of my class, easily passed my state test, and I still felt totally lost when I first started working as a CNA.

Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN · Dec 22, 2010

Yea I think the "medical assistance" thing is kind of a scam. I've never met anybody that's had any luck with that. I knew of one girl that was complaining to me about how she went to school for 15 months to become a "medical assistant" and how she couldn't find a job. For that amount of time and money it'd be a much better investment to go to LPN school.

The only important thing about any program is that it will authorize you to challenge your jurisdictions CNA exam, as how much you learn I mostly believe that you get out of it what you put into it. Plus in the grand scheme of things the knowledge and scope of a CNA isn't very difficult to learn, it is an entry level position after all. If you have the interest and apply yourself you'll do great!

cdheckel · Dec 22, 2010

Yes, I agree, I have decided in Jan after Holidays I'm going for CNA then moving on from there. Thansk soo much

cdheckel · Dec 22, 2010

Thank you, I agree, as for my daughter I feel sorry for her and I'm going to pay for her as well to go get CNA and if she still loves the field then move on to RN or LPN, I too have decided to take the class in Jan. Thanks for the help

chorkle · Dec 23, 2010

cd--

Can't speak to NC; haven't lived there in more than 30 years, and not in direct patient/resident care at the time.

Some of the following may be helpful; just ignore what doesn't seem useful.

It seems that (in IL) all junior college ADN programs require one to be in good standing on the IL Nurse Aide Registry (name has been changed to smth more generic) at the beginning of NS. It's the standard summer before NS course (where I am). But, nothing prevents one from doing the course at the beginning of prereqs, so as to get a CNA job & get some experience.

Otoh, I have several years' recent direct and indirect pt. care exper. The CNA course will seem tremendously concentrated, and clinicals may not be much better. There's a LOT of material to cover. (OBRA '87 requires 75 hours classroom & lab instruction, and 16 hours clinical exposure. IL requires 80 hours, & 40 hours.) Going to work as a CNA (in LTC)--an instant overload of work, that I don't yet see how it's possible to get done. All the experienced CNAs act as if it's no big deal--so I know it is possible, and I'll figure it out. But as a newbie, I'm a bit overwhelmed.

But, then, if I do get into NS--a year & a half away--I'll have a lot of up-close, personal care experience, which I can't see as anything but beneficial.

I maintain that, sailing along, fat, dumb, & happy--as I call it--it is impossible to learn anything. Only under stress, or in discomfort, is it possible for useful learning to occur.

Feel free to PM me if you need more.

VioletKaliLPN, LPN · Dec 23, 2010

i will advise against the "fast track". i am in nursing school now, set to graduate in august 2011, and every nursing school required an actual cna course with a set number of hours. this was on top of having your name on the registry. call and speak with the nursing education department at your local community colleges, or you can even go online and find out more info.