Info about CNA schools in Pinellas county

[ncmomof5]

I'm looking into getting my CNA while waiting to enter nursing school. Ultimately, get my BSN. I have looked around at several CNA schools in Pinellas county. Three programs I have not heard much about: PTECs CNA (Clearwater), the American Red Cross CNA classes, and Reed Medical Career Training in Tarpon Springs. Has anyone attended these schools? Did you feel prepared for work as a CNA. Was the quality of instruction good?

Reed Medical Career Training appears to be a test prep; but the price is pretty good. Current deal $100 for the class, $50 to register with a 98% passing rate. I would think that PTECs and American Red Cross teach you more than just to pass the test. Any advice on what type of program is best for someone with some outdated medical experience would be much appreciated.

[Bree9992]

I also went to Reeds Medical Training, they are so caring, they let me sit in 2 extra weeks of class until I took my test (which I passed with flying colors) We did hands on training. Going to this school was the best decision I have ever made, I am now working in the Hospital, and I do agree with Jena these comments from other schools must feel very insucure about the schools they own that you have to talk about other schools, I dont think that would be the kind of school I would want to go to.

[sosalsays]

it might be worth mentioning that reeds medical training is in pasco county and not pinellas. reeds is associated with http://www.yourseniorcarebiz.com/ which advises we all start a senior care business regardless of the economy because senior care is a recession proof business.

as to the matter of state approved training for cna's, the florida board of nursing is empowered by statute to approve nursing school programs preparing graduates for licensure or certification. but the board, specifically the cna council regarding cna schools, can only approve programs first approved by the florida department of education who also grants by accreditation. the fl doe first approves postsecondary schools and colleges that confer credentials and degrees. then the board of nursing approves the program.

now, the only method of certification, as in certified nursing assistant, is through the florida board of nursing. odd the board does not control the education process.

much like the home health aide vs. cna tug-of-war, state approval for cna training also comes from the agency for health care administration when the training takes place in a gold seal nursing home.

i just find this all especially intriguing as at the latest (april 2009) florida cna council meeting an agenda was set in motion to improve cna test out rates and cull laggard schools. this will be tough. i wondered with the average age of rn's in florida now over 50 y/o, whether the board may have good reason to want better skilled hands at the bedside in the coming years.

oh, here's the jumping off point for fl doe approved schools. you'll be looking for nursing assistant diploma 120 clock hours or more, or patient care assistant diploma 300 clock hours or more, or patient care technician diploma 600 clock hours or more. search by county. none of those will allow you to work within the cna scope of practice unless you pass the cna exam and skills test.

further, said cna council believes that it's only a mater of time before they start booting cna's in facilities that haven't had the appropriate training, evaluation, and facility administered skills test as signed off by an rn yet still are doing accuchecks (an invasive procedure).

this could get a little wierd.

[ncmomof5]

thanks sosalsays, what an eye opener. i wish they could keep it simple -- classic example of government efficiency and streamlining.