Lots of CNA Queshtions

Published

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!

I think i am taking the same Course here in orlando ( one week or two weekends) but mine doesn't start until October ( so if you sign up and take it let me know how it goes) I believe that we would have to take the BLS elsewhere though once that class in complete. Good luck to you

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have found a lot of the places to take the prep test courses don't include BLS. Anyone find anywhere to take those here in Orlando yet?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

When I took my cna course it was 6 days. Time isn't really an issue. Now, they have accelerated courses at the local tech college. I don't think it includes cpr though. Many ltc facilities don't require their cna's to be cpr cert, but lpn and rn must be. You'll have to look into that. Make sure that your course will give you at least state certification. Many are state and federally certified. Just means that you could work as a cna in many other states. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We were required to have Health Care Provider CPR certification before we could attend clinicals. They really took it serious!

Heather M

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I hope you are going for it.. my class has been about 240 hrs, but it covered CNA and nursing assistant. I absolutely love it. from what I understand the state exam test though is difficult to pass for the skills test.. make sure you don't even short washing your hands for the full 15 seconds, one girl failed because she only washed for 14 seconds. Good luck, you probably will really like it.:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice- 3.5 yrs, Transplant- 1 yr.

Hopeful76,

I responded to your other post as well; hope you find it. I was hired into a nursing home before i became certified. They just title you as NA and you don't make as much, but as soon as you pass the exam, of course, you get the title CNA and make a little bit more, but not much. I lived in Greenville,SC at the time, and it could be diff there, but like I said, because of the demand of the nursing/medical profession in general, there is a lot of negotiating you can do on your part to find a company that is willing to hire you right out of your CNA class. It took me 3.5 yrs before i became employed at one of the leading hospitals in the southeast, Medical University of SC, after having 3.5 yrs experience in hospice, i was offered a job making more than PCTs & CNAs were being started out with on the Oncology (cancer) floor. That same day, I interviewed on the Transplant floor and convinced them to pay me more and ended up taking the job on transplant. I worked there for 1 yr and got my hrs to be in the fast track CNA-nurse program at the tech school i attend. I wish you the best of luck, and if you have any more questions, e-mail me and don't be afraid to call these HR recruiters at hospitals and other facilities because it could be your lucky day -- they may hire you and pay for you to take the class. Also, be aware that being a CNA is not easy. We basically are the forefront and do the "dirty" work. There was a large turnover of CNAs on my floor especially at MUSC, so it is a very challenging job. Be sure this is what you want and remember the sky is the limit, no matter how young or old!

Thanks

Felicia :clown:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I live in Orlando...please give me the info/location for the course you're taking.

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CNA.

The CNA course does not cover BLS.

My understanding (and experience) is that almost every institution will require you to have BLS. However, many institutions will give you the in-house training for it. Some schools (including my own), had a BLS course available at little or no cost taught by a third party such as the Red Cross. I believe we had it available for $25 while we were in CNA class (this was extra and done outside of the CNA class itself). I didn't take that, but got the in-house paid training at the hospital I worked at.

So, the short answer is that you'd have to ask. It may be a requirement to have BLS, but not necessarily before you apply or before you are hired. You would have to ask the institutions you're interested in.

Others who have more experience at LTC can answer for that. I already had my training before working in LTC, and don't recall if they would train you OJT or not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am starting my job AND training at a LTC facility in two weeks. They will train me (and a half dozen others) and get us certified while paying us the whole time. Not a bad deal at all. I am really excited about stating a new career in a completely new field. I worked in the oil fields for most of my adult life except for a few years in the Army.

I ran into a friend of mine today who used to work as a security guard at one of my past jobs and he works now at the facility where I will be working. He got a job there almost a year ago as a CNA and he was trained and certified at the facility also. He says he absolutely loves his job. He also informed me of something supreme importance about working there. They have great motorcycle only parking right by the handicap parking spots. :yeah::bow:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
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!

Heya Hopeful!

May I suggest looking at other CNA options - such as nursing homes, homecare agencies etc? Just turn up and ask what they have available.

Hospitals are incredibly slow in responding and also appear to be extremely particular. As someone who has had distant nursing home/ hospital experience and having pursued other opportunities for personal reasons, appear to be ignored.

So keep your options open!!!!!

Good Luck.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion