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I'm an RN and I think cna is great experience but I wouldn't pay for the schooling. After your 1st semester of nursing school you'll be able to start working in the hospital as a nurse tech (or something similar). I had no prior healthcare experience before nursing school but after my first semester I started working as a tech in an icu which was awesome experience plus its at a higher skill level than cna. I made my own hours, could work as little or as much as I needed.
I agree that CNA experience is great to get, however $1299 is way too much to pay, I believe that I paid around $700 through a community college. Look into some LTC they may have you go through their classes for free in exchange for working for them.
As others have said after your first semester you should be able to apply to test for your CNA or work as a nurse tech, check out the VA they offered somthing similar a student nurse intern that a few of my fellow class mates did
If you need a job and the CNA is the only thing that you can find then go for it. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother. The experience you get as a CNA isn't anything that you won't pick up during nursing school clinicals - feeding, bathing, toileting, grooming.
I did it because we were required to but it was the biggest waste of both time and money, IMO.
I think becoming a CNA before you enter nursing school is a good idea!
First off about the price: The price is a little high so I'd check around to see if there isn't a place that is cheaper.
Secondly, becoming a CNA is a good way to see if healthcare is a field you are interested in. I read a lot of threads on this site about how people enter nursing school & then discover they hate nursing. I just think its good exposure to the field...if you like it, great! Work as a CNA and go off to nursing school. But if you hate being a CNA, that's cool too. At least you experienced it & found out before you entered nursing school that its not for you.
Just think about it :) Good luck
judy1218
3 Posts
Hello All,
I have a previous degree in Administration and is currently working full time in the Social Service field. I am attending school and will enter the Nursing program in the Fall 2010, during that time i will have to reduce my hours to part-time so i can focus on my studies. My job is the typical 9-5 mon thru friday with weekends off and know flexability..... I have no healthcare experience at all, so i was thinking that i would go get my CNA certification over the summer before school starts and work on that part-time to gain experience and benefit from the flexiable schedule until i am done with school.
Now here is the question: I've been reading alot of good reviews for the Manhattan Institute, which i am looking into...8wks/ July 12 is the start date for a total of $1299...Alot of people is telling me that i should not pay all that money for this when alot of CNAs get certified and can't find a jobs and that i should not go towards that due to the enormous stress you encounter doing that job.
So should I go for the CNA and has anyone attended Manhattan Institute, how is their job placement or is this just a bad idea???? Please help!!!