Paid Training or College Course?? Which is better?

[WVlpn2b]

Hi --

I'm trying to complete my pre-reqs for an LPN program, and one of them is that I have to present certification as a STNA -- is that the same as a CNA? If not, is it similar?

I can either a) take a 5-week, 5-credit-hour night class for 8 weeks to receive it, beginning in January, or b) accept an employment offer of paid training at a local LTC facility and receive it, beginning ASAP. I will have to commit to several months employment at the facility once the training is completed, but I was planning/hoping to work in that capacity until I begin clinicals next September.

BTW, this facility looks/sounds excellent from the outside but I do know they were written up for a couple of really serious violations in the last year or so. Most of the LTC places around here have been though -- is that fairly common? And is it a reason not to work there??

Which would you choose? And why? Thanks so much for any help you might provide!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I would take the CNA training as a college course, because I am the type of person who does not like to be obligated to fulfill contracts with any entity. If you accept the offer for paid training, you have to work for the place for a specified period of time. If they fire you or you are so overwhelmed that you quit before the contractual obligation is completed, you'll have to pay for the training anyway.

Most nursing homes are written up by the state for violations, so it's no big deal. Often, the violations are regarding silly stuff (plastic spoons instead of stainless steel, water pitchers being undated, not answering call lights within 2 minutes).

[mrsraisinkain]

I would also take the college course route. A lot places that hire CNAs will reimburse you for your tuition and the cost of your state test anyway. In a college course you will be more likely to receive an education geared towards passing the state test, and being trained at a facility you may be more likely to get trained the way they do things, and there's a possibility those two things will differ.

Also, in Oho where I live they no longer use the "CNA" title and instead use "STNA" but the job description is the same.