Lots of CNA Queshtions

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Hi everyone!

I am new to this board. I just posted earlier but I didn't notice there was a section just for CNA's so here I am with some queshtions. I am interested in the CNA course and becoming a CNA. I was wondering after you take the course and pass the exam how long does it take to get your certificate to start working? I live in Florida near the Orlando area and the lady I spoke to that works at the place I would be taking my CNA course at said there is a high demand for CNA's at the hospital and I should have no problem getting a job there after I got my certificate because they don't do job placement. I have read that usually you don't get into a hospital with no experience is that true? Does anyone know what the wages would be for starting out? I would need to work a night shift like 7pm-7am or 11pm-7am. I am nervous but excited all at the same time and I could start the CNA course next week which is only a week if going at night time or 2 weekend classes. Can anyone give me any suggestions, info or input I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

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wow that is a mighty short class,I havent even started my classes yet,but just wanted to tell you that in my area(georgia/florida line) the hospital here is always advertising for CNA'S and all is required is a GED and CNA . goodluck! Michelle:up:

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wow that is a mighty short class,I havent even started my classes yet,but just wanted to tell you that in my area(georgia/florida line) the hospital here is always advertising for CNA'S and all is required is a GED and CNA . goodluck! Michelle:up:

I know that does sound like a short class and I am getting a bit concerned since I been reading how long some others go to class for. There is another school called Americare and I looked into that the program was 5 months and they said they do job placement aftewards but it is alot more expensive also. But, I am thinking it may be well worth it in the long run. Do you think it just all boils down to passing the exam and getting your certificate or what school you CNA school you went to? I read some did a CNA course at Red Cross I will have to see if my area has a course. Right now that is all I found it is a little over $400.00 and you either can go 1 week of days or nights or 2 weekends and then you can take your exam and the lady I spoke to said you will know the same day if you passed or not. I am really thinking about signing up next week but I wanna make sure it is worth it or if I should be looking into another school. Americare must be longer because there teaching more and have job placement afterwards.

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Here in Tennessee you do not have to be certified to work in the hospital, only in LTC. One hospital here in the Nashville area has you take a PCT exam before you are hired. This hospital also has a PCT training course which is 6 weeks long, free, and they pay you as they train you. It also has a long waiting list. I am on that list, but I think that I am pretty far down. You might want to check your hospitals to see if they have a program. There is also a place here that takes students every Monday which Vandy hires from. It is a 5 week course. It also costs $600. One other thing, you might want to try your local LTC's. The NHC here in my area has a training program that is 3 weeks long. I didn't get in last months class, but I am almost positive they are accepting me this month. This program is also free and they do not make you sign a contract to work for them.

I hope that this was helpful. I know that I am not in your area, but maybe they have some of the same things. Also, check your state nursing board website. Our's lists all the nurse aid programs in the state.

Good Luck!

Kayla

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Here in Tennessee you do not have to be certified to work in the hospital, only in LTC. One hospital here in the Nashville area has you take a PCT exam before you are hired. This hospital also has a PCT training course which is 6 weeks long, free, and they pay you as they train you. It also has a long waiting list. I am on that list, but I think that I am pretty far down. You might want to check your hospitals to see if they have a program. There is also a place here that takes students every Monday which Vandy hires from. It is a 5 week course. It also costs $600. One other thing, you might want to try your local LTC's. The NHC here in my area has a training program that is 3 weeks long. I didn't get in last months class, but I am almost positive they are accepting me this month. This program is also free and they do not make you sign a contract to work for them.

I hope that this was helpful. I know that I am not in your area, but maybe they have some of the same things. Also, check your state nursing board website. Our's lists all the nurse aid programs in the state.

Good Luck!

Kayla

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I have called more than a dozen nursing homes and they all said they are hiring or always hiring but you have to be certified. I haven't called any hospitals but I do know a few in my area that you have to be certified and also have BLS. I think I will just go ahead and pay the money and start the course next weekend since they still have a couple of opening left for next weekend, that way I can kick all of this into gear.

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Specializes in CNA.

I would sure double check your CNA class and be sure that you really are in a class that leads to your eligibility to sit for the state test!!!

Most CNA classes are the equivalent of about 8 hours of college courses. Even a short class as I had met for 6 weeks, 4 days a week with 4 hours of classes every day. Clinicals took place over 2 weekends --- 8 hours a day. I know of no CNA class that is as short as you describe.

I'm not an expert, but you can't train in a week unless you're going to class 12 hours a day.

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Specializes in LTC, Ortho.

Well I took a CNA Challenger class in the Tampa Bay area. It was only for three days (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday). It was a total of about 40 hours. They also have twice a week review days.

I just passed the test and waiting for the hospital that I want to work for to call me for an interview. Some of my classmates have already started their jobs because they applied before taking the test. Once they passed; they brought the paperwork to their HR and started within the week. I didn't want to do that just in case I would have failed.

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I live in Orlando and had a hard time finding a place to take the course at all. I am going to take a prep course in November, that is a month long. It is abou $250.00 I got referenced from someone else on this site. I called the Red Cross and they don't have one yet for Central Florida. Good Luck!

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I would sure double check your CNA class and be sure that you really are in a class that leads to your eligibility to sit for the state test!!!

In Florda you can challenge the test without taking a course at all, so it essence as long as you are grasping everything it doesn't matter how long or short the classes are. Employers just care that you are certified.. She should be fine as long as it preps her for the test and she has a lot of practice!

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I notice that some of the hospitals here in Orange County, Florida and some in Lake County, Florida say you have to be certified but also have BLS. Does the course cover all of that or is that another course you gotta go take? Does anyone know?

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If you are taking an actual course (rather than prep course) they may have it. I know I have to take the BLS at another location since mine is just a prep course. I would ask the place you plan on taking your classes through.

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I'm in NC. I took the CNA I class at my community college over this past summer. It was a 12 week class, Fridays and Saturdays. We did 6 weeks of class/lab, and 6 weeks of clinicals (3 weeks each at a hospital and a LTC facility.) It totaled like 160 hours.

Just those 3 days sounds weird.

Heather M

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