I have a question about CNA schools.

ky_grl82 · Jan 19, 2011

Wow, that is very expensive for a community college program. Mine was $600 and FASFA paid for it. Does the clinical you are at include clinical time? We had 3 days of clinicals at the end and then did the state test. I kinda goes by state requirements for the number of hours you need to sit for the state test. You can always contact the FBN to find out if there are any questionable practices with your program.

ILuvmylil1 · Jan 19, 2011

yes that does include clinicals.Here in florida you need 21 skills and 40 hours.

I was curious on if 40 hours is kinda short to learn everything because that is about 2 weeks of class,and the colleges offer 7 weeks but is alot more money.I have called alot of places around here and the cheapest i have found for a local college is 950.

The place im looking to go has all the hands on training and has good reputation it just seems a little short to learn everything where the colleges offer 7 weeks.

chorkle · Jan 19, 2011

Federal law requires CNA courses to be (at least) 75 hours classroom (& Lab) instruction, and 16 hours clinicals. My comm. college required 80 hours class, + 40 hours clinicals; for just over $1,000 tuition; + books ($80), plus specific scrubs required for clinicals, plus certain supplies, plus a coupla other things. But you also get 7.5 college hours credit.

As to why things vary in price: I certainly don't have sufficient knowledge to explain as much as I'd like to understand; but some places just charge more--or less--for a course of instruction aimed at your passing the state certification exam--which is the entry to working as a CNA.

Where I lived a year ago, the local comm. college offered a phlebotomy course for around $800; after classroom instruction, it required 40 hours a week of clinicals (5 a.m. to 1 p.m., 5 days a week) for several weeks. Almost cannot do this, and maintain an existing job. The local branch of the state university charged $3,000; I don't know what their clinical requirements were. My local comm. college charges smth. between $500 & $600--and you have to provide your own volunteer subjects for drawing blood.

ILuvmylil1 · Jan 19, 2011

Federal law requires CNA courses to be (at least) 75 hours classroom (& Lab) instruction, and 16 hours clinicals. My comm. college required 80 hours class, + 40 hours clinicals; for just over $1,000 tuition; + books ($80), plus specific scrubs required for clinicals, plus certain supplies, plus a coupla other things. But you also get 7.5 college hours credit.
As to why things vary in price: I certainly don't have sufficient knowledge to explain as much as I'd like to understand; but some places just charge more--or less--for a course of instruction aimed at your passing the state certification exam--which is the entry to working as a CNA.
Where I lived a year ago, the local comm. college offered a phlebotomy course for around $800; after classroom instruction, it required 40 hours a week of clinicals (5 a.m. to 1 p.m., 5 days a week) for several weeks. Almost cannot do this, and maintain an existing job. The local branch of the state university charged $3,000; I don't know what their clinical requirements were. My local comm. college charges smth. between $500 & $600--and you have to provide your own volunteer subjects for drawing blood.

Now im really confused, because the place that i am wanting to attend said that we only need 40 hours before the test.

SnowStar4 · Jan 19, 2011

Not everyone does their research to find out how much they should be paying for school. These companies count on that. They charge what they find people are willing to pay. I've seen some places in my area that charge thousands to become a CNA. It's crazy. Good for you for not falling for it.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jan 19, 2011

In some states when an LTC facility hires you on as a CNA they have to reimburse you for reasonable coursework expenses & testing fees.

In NJ 90 hours is the course work requirement.

Only LTC facilities are required to hire CNA's. Hospitals have different rules.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 19, 2011

Link to CNA forums:

https://allnurses.com/cna-nursing-assistant/

dreamer827 · Jan 19, 2011

I asked my student advisor about that too because the course outside of the college was cheaper than through the college. Same course. Same teacher. Same location... She said it is because through the college you are getting college credits. Might be a different reason for your area though.