How many people took a Cna class at a for profit school?

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Good morning guys, I'm not taking my class at my local college because it's over a thousand without financial aid because it's a non credit course. The school I'm going to only offers Cna, pharm tech, and phlebotomy. It seems to me like it's run like a business not school, when I filed the application I felt like it was a job application. But it's the only place that offers Cna class for cheap and in six weeks then school in my area. It's 500 plus price for state test, which is another 100. But my class starts tomorrow. I'm excited but kinda nervous. Did anyone else get trained in a place like this?

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Specializes in hospice.

I did. It was a good program and I felt well-prepared for the state exam and for working. I chose it also because of the ability to get done in just a few short weeks. Let's be honest, CNA doesn't take a lot of education and much of it is common sense and "report to the nurse." So what the heck do you need to spend a whole semester on?

I'm sure not all private for-profit CNA training programs are good, but there are good ones out there. Have you checked it out? Meaning, it's approved by the BON and has a decent first time pass rate on the state boards, good BBB rating and online reviews (always remembering that disgruntled students will blame a school for their own failings)?

If you've checked it out and feel comfortable, do it.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

The girl who used to nanny for me is currently in a CNA program at a for-profit school.

9 months long and 30k.

I almost cried when she told me.

Yours is cheap and quick and you learn almost everything on the job honestly, so good luck!

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Specializes in hospice.
The girl who used to nanny for me is currently in a CNA program at a for-profit school.

9 months long and 30k.

I almost cried when she told me.

Yours is cheap and quick and you learn almost everything on the job honestly, so good luck!

:eek::eek::eek: Holy what the biscuit?! I literally can't even get my head around that.

Mine was $1000 inclusive of uniform, all materials, TB test, and clinical.

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The girl who used to nanny for me is currently in a CNA program at a for-profit school.

9 months long and 30k.

I almost cried when she told me.

Yours is cheap and quick and you learn almost everything on the job honestly, so good luck!

Whhhhaaaattt??? That's INSANE! She will be pretty disappointed when she comes to find out CNAs barely make over minimum wage :(

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Are you sure that isn't MA school? I mean not to be rude, but if you're willing to spend that much money and time for just a CNA cert, then you deserve that....

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Well I'm not sure what would make it for profit technically? But my school is like a training center, I guess. It's not affiliated with any of the local colleges.

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I'm sorry but nine months long and 30k, sounds like it came straight off a craigslist ad.

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Are you sure that isn't MA school? I mean not to be rude, but if you're willing to spend that much money and time for just a CNA cert, then you deserve that....

Agree. The time and tuition is not compatible with a CNA certificate. Sounds like MA school, which brings me to this thought:

I cannot fathom why anyone would go to MA school and spend all that money. It's the biggest scam around. I know several people who cannot find jobs and they are in debt >30k. All that time and money should be used towards an associate's RN degree. (Then later get the BSN) People can still work in a doctor's office setting as an RN if that was the reason they wanted to become a medical assistant.

Not sure how it is in other areas, but here MA's are a dime a dozen and they cannot find employment.

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I did my CNA at a for-profit school. It was cheaper and had many more time options than the colleges. Mine also offered an online program which I took advantage of. All the classroom portion was done online and with a textbook. I reported twice a week for lab hours and then after passing my exam completed a two week clinical rotation. Since the school was an hour and a half drive from me, the online option saved me a lot in gas and commute time. I was also able to do the online portion while being concurrently enrolled in a CC for my nursing pre-reqs.

Just be sure the program is accredited by your BON and has a good pass rate. My school was ranked very highly with the BON and offers everything on site like BLS, fingerprinting, and the state even offers testing there. All told excluding uniform, it cost me about $1500 for tuition, book, equipment, fingerprinting/background check, and BLS.

I had a job offer at a nice facility before graduating, passed the state exam with 97% first try, and have since been able to get reciprocity in a new state and a job in acute care. I feel that it has certainly prepared me well and paid off.

Also another thing to look for is organization. My school was fanatic in its operation. Checklists and rules for everything. They also gave us a book filled with verbatim skills lists for the state exam and checklists for completion and they had very specific policies for tardiness and absenteeism. If your school has a policy and checklist for everything that seems aligned to state and enforces them, I'd say they are a good school. Also see if they have reviews from past students. I still keep in touch with my instructors to let them know how I'm doing and that I appreciated how much they taught me.

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It seems to me like it's run like a business not school, when I filed the application I felt like it was a job application.

Mine was like this as well. We had to sit through a 4 hour information session to apply while they told us how hard and gross the job would be and then fill out a very detailed application and questionnaire with a literacy exam. I think it has to do with the fact that they get a lot of sponsorships from the employment department (ie people not having to put their own $$$ on the line) and people who have no clue what the job entails so it helps to weed out those who are going to be unsuccessful. Additionally if they have a lot of slackers that they place in clinicals, facilities will complain and not be willing to offer placement for future students. We had very strict rules for clinicals and one strike you're out policy with no refunds.

I wish all CNA programs trained as mine did, I think I'd have a better lot of co-workers if that was the case. Nursing is a professional career and all levels should be trained and though of as such, I wish there wasn't such a disconnect for CNAs. Because of transgressions of those before me I have to prove I'm worthy of respect from the nurses and am capable of my job.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.
Are you sure that isn't MA school? I mean not to be rude, but if you're willing to spend that much money and time for just a CNA cert, then you deserve that....

Yes, I'm sure. ?

The theory for the length of time was that she also learned phlebotomy, ekgs, and I don't remember what else. It's called a "Patient Care Technician Diploma Program"

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