How difficult is it?

duskyjewel · Sep 17, 2014

I honestly found the program to be mostly common sense and common knowledge, with some basic medical knowledge thrown in. I was able to take most of the chapter tests without reading the chapters and pass them. Where I needed to focus was on things like normal ranges for blood pressure, respirations, heart rate....things I didn't know as a layperson, and learning skills. When in doubt, the answer to the test question is almost always "report to the nurse."

To be fair, I became a CNA at 36 and already had an unrelated bachelor's degree, so YMMV, but I found becoming a CNA easy.

RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2014

The CNA course is one of the easiest classes I've ever taken.

OnlyDreaming · Sep 17, 2014

Im almost done with my bachelors( 2 semesters) in an unrelated field. So i was THINKING to finish my psych degree while getting my CNA and work PT as a CNA as well as my PT job at the hospital already and apply to accelerated RN programs which most require or like to see a CNA certificate.

mvm2 · Sep 17, 2014

Pretty basic stuff. Most of what you learn will relate to the elderly since most CNAs work with the elerly for the most part. One of the big things you will learn, but at the same time is mostly common sense is knowing the rights of your patients/residents. This really is a big thing to pay attention to since many questions a lot of time on the states test deal with residents rights, and how you approch certain situations.

The parts where I really felt I had to study was yes the normal ranges of vitals, and we had a chapter on systems of the body, how they work and relate to eachother, and different problems and diseases and how they effect certain systems of the body.

If you are going for your BSN in nursing this will be a cake walk for you

duskyjewel · Sep 17, 2014

Psych degree + CNA.....have you considered working as a psych tech?

OnlyDreaming · Sep 17, 2014

Whats a psych tech?

duskyjewel · Sep 17, 2014

It's a specially trained nursing assistant type position in inpatient psych facilities. A lot of times I'll see in the "preferred qualifications" that they want a degree in psych as well, so it seems to me that if your interest leans towards that area, it could be a perfect fit for you. And it might help you land a job as a nurse once you finish your BSN.

OnlyDreaming · Sep 17, 2014

So its different training than a CNA?

duskyjewel · Sep 17, 2014

It's OJT as far as I know. They hire you then train you at the facility.

OnlyDreaming · Sep 17, 2014

Oh interesting. Thanks for the information Jewel. BTW I met my husband in Gilbert,AZ! :)

funtimes · Sep 17, 2014

The class itself is usually regarded as easy. It does feature lots of hands on training and practicing skills with or in front of other people, so some people who are shy might find this a little uncomfortable.

We actually wore bathing suits under our scrubs to class one day to practice giving bed baths, had to brush each others teeth and do nail care, Brush each others hair, check vitals on each other, feed each other, and would practice things like wheelchair transfers and hoyer transfers on each other. We were encouraged to not cooperate and be just dead weight at times to make things more realistic, or when ambulating to randomly go limp and see if the student controlled your fall properly. Some people might find this kind of learning fun, others might hate it.

The state practical exam isn't particularly fun, but hopefully by the end of class you will have practiced these things so much its second nature.