Paying Fee to become a CNA

Caribbeanfem · Oct 15, 2004

$650? mmmmmm cheap to me. Here in NY (Brooklyn) the cost is like $1395 for a 4 week day program. So if anyone in NY want to let me know of a CC that offer it cheaper, I will gladly love to know :)

okie2 · Oct 15, 2004

Here in OK CNA certification classes run around $200 - $300 for everything, uniforms, books, etc. The one I'm looking at is actually individualized. I can go into the classroom anytime Monday -Thursday from 9am to 8pm. You have to do around 60 classroom hours and 16 clinical hrs. I'm wanting to get a head start on basic skills and maybe work part time while I finish up pre-reqs.

I don't absolutely need the CNA but....it's nearly impossible to get a CNA job here without the certification. A few years back, the LTC facilities would train people on the job. Now they want the cert. I guess it's too much investment to train when the turn over is so high. I also want it to earn more "points" on my application to the ADN/RN program. My counselor said the admissions were point greedy!!:chuckle Every little bit helps.

Good Luck in your adventure!

mariedoreen · Oct 15, 2004

Hey Oregon Rene, I'm on the Oregon Coast and between the 8 credit Community College class, supplies, fees, lab tests, and STATE BOARD OF NURSING CERTIFICATION FEE (a little over $100...) I know I was at least around $800... Of course I had to take it in order to apply to nursing school. My understanding is that every community college in the state requires CNA certification to even APPLY to their programs... To the OP though, if you want to work LTC while going through nursing school, many facilities will run the nursing assistant class themselves, pay you your wage while you are taking the class and then pay for your state certification when you are done. Around here those type of classes are usually full time for 4 weeks, but like I said, you're being paid the whole time -- so it's really like being on the job.

Oh, and you asked if it is worth it to pay that money considering the returing wage... I would submit that the experience you will gain working as a CNA will be very valuable to you while in school.. and it's hard to put a price on that.

Good luck to you!

mariedoreen · Oct 15, 2004

Emilyerin, what school are you at?

Yes, I'm curious too. Where are you in Oregon that you weren't required to be a CNA before you applied? I thought all the community colleges required it.. Educate me, please!

EmilyCCRN · Oct 16, 2004

Yes, I'm curious too. Where are you in Oregon that you weren't required to be a CNA before you applied? I thought all the community colleges required it.. Educate me, please!

Sent via PM. :)

oregonrene · Oct 16, 2004

My understanding is that every community college in the state requires CNA certification to even APPLY to their programs

I think CCC and I know PCC doesn't require it. PCC required it for about a week last spring and then changed their mind. They have a crummy lottery system which doesn't take anything into account - as long as your GPA is 2.5 or higher and you have the pre-reqs, you can apply to the lottery. 900 people apply and 90 get in (or something like that). :uhoh21:

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Oct 16, 2004

CNA programs here in Portland OR cost around $650 + supplies. It's usually an 8 week program - 75 class hours and 75 clinical hours. I know some hospitals will pay for people to do the program in exchange for a work committment.
I'm not a CNA, nor am I planning to go through the program, but a lot of people do.

Oregon here too, and I just heard a shocking report from my CNA's about PCC's new prereq for RN school...you HAVE to already be a CNA! I don't know if this is 100%, but wow...pay for that, then pay for RN!!! Glad I got in when I did! I guess they rationalize it by saying too much time is spent on learning basic CNA duties and not enough on RN duties in class/clinicals...LOL, heck I thought my clinicals WAS unpaid CNA work! LOL!

Anyway..be careful about your employers while doing CNA while attending RN school...we just lost 3 CNA's because my facility didn't have much to win by being flexible (they wouldn't hire them...they like to hire LPN's r/t cost!) and forced them to quit by not allowing them time off for tests, clinicals, or anything!!!

They also tied my hands as far as letters of recomendation (for entry into RN school or other employment)! I am NOT to devulge any infomation about the facility, and therefore also will be found in breech of confidentiality of patients and facility if I dare write about the duties or my opinion of another employee (that means any of them...LPN's, CNA's, RN's..the whole bit!). This is becoming a common practice now..and it ticks me off!!!!!! I had to tell 3 CNA's that I couldn't write a letter for them..and it broke my heart!!!!

SO watch your employer and make sure they will be flexible with you...and yes, please return that favor so that others that wish to do what you are doing can too (if you aren't flexible in return..they won't be for anyone else).

stephera · Oct 16, 2004

Most nursing homes will train you if you agree to work for them a certain amount of time. I only make 7.00/hr!!!!!!!!!

Steph:)

Does anyone think it's worth paying 650.00 to become a CNA when they only make about 8.00/hour....I'm going to be enrolling in nursing school next year, so I was thinking the only flexible job I could work and complete nursing school would be a CNA...but I feel like this is a lot of money for such a low paying job.

mariedoreen · Oct 17, 2004

Oregon here too, and I just heard a shocking report from my CNA's about PCC's new prereq for RN school...you HAVE to already be a CNA!

Oregon too and this is actually really, really common. One college I applied to explained it like this: 1) All the students are on a more level playing field when they come in and they don't have to spend a lot of extra time teaching basic skills that maybe half the class already know. 2) By having everyone be a CNA at the time of entry it allows more time to teach other skills, and considering how compex nursing gets every year they feel they need this extra time more than ever. 3) It gives all the students exposure to the healthcare field so that if it doesn't appeal to someone, they find it out while in their CNA class and not when they're in the nursing program taking up a very valuable, coveted seat.

oregonrene · Oct 17, 2004

Oregon here too, and I just heard a shocking report from my CNA's about PCC's new prereq for RN school...you HAVE to already be a CNA!

They changed that policy earlier this summer. I just checked their website to verify. I don't know if you're allowed to post links here, so I won't post one, but it's on their website. Their current requirements are Intro to Algebra, English Comp - both with a C grade or higher; A&P 1 and 2, and Microbiology - with a 2.5 or higher; and a minimum score on the Asset or Compass test. In the FAQs it says:

Is a Nursing Assistant Certification (CNA) required? No. CNA is not required to apply or be admitted to PCC's nursing program. Although it is not a program requirement, students are encouraged to gain patient care skills and experience that may be applicable to any nursing program.

PHTLS · Oct 17, 2004

Does anyone think it's worth paying 650.00 to become a CNA when they only make about 8.00/hour....I'm going to be enrolling in nursing school next year, so I was thinking the only flexible job I could work and complete nursing school would be a CNA...but I feel like this is a lot of money for such a low paying job.

What a rip-off!

No way anybody should pay that much to be a CNA.

Just take the course at a local community college and get trained right.

I was lucky. I got mine's for free back in 1992 and I was paid for the 6 weeks I trained. The certification test and skills testing was a joke ( I got reimbursed too). Man, I wonder whatever happened to all those people I went to class with :)

Sheri257 · Oct 17, 2004

I strongly suggest you avoid taking an online CNA course. Find a hands on course that will provide you with patient care practice if possible.

I agree. This online stuff is getting out of hand. I also wonder if it even complies with state requirements.

In California, 150 hours is required, and two thirds of the course (100 hours) have to be clinical. So, I don't see how an online CNA course would be accepted by the state.

Not to mention, I don't see how you can learn to be a CNA online.

:rolleyes: