Hello, I am trying to work as a CNA over this gap year and realized that prep program costs almost $1,000, which is too expensive for me.
So I purchased this book from Amazon and was wondering whether this book and watching clinical videos in youtube could prepare me well to pass both written and clinical exams..
As a care aid working for two years now, I sadly have to agree with all of the other replies. While I understand financial constraints can really get in the way and stop people from being able to take certain programs, honestly I cannot see how reading a manual could prepare anybody to take control over the care of 10-20 people. After 4 months of studying coursework and textbooks like you would be, and watching the teacher demonstrate situations and care, we ALL needed the two months of full-time practicum in order to become anywhere near competent. Real life is MILES from text book, and developing the speed, confidence and skill you need to function at a job in complex care or a hospital or community setting requires more time than most employers would be willing to give employees starting from scratch.
Everyone in my class was a bumbling mess for the first part of practicum. There are so, so, so many things that seem like common sense to most employees but really only develops after a proper, supervised practicum and then months actually doing the job, but these are things that are so important to the safety and comfort of your residents/patients. I find it terrifying that Florida allows people to work as care aids with no practicum, which is the most important part of a person's training. I would never allow someone to look after my mom's daily health and safety without extensive hands-on training, there are too many things that could go wrong.
I am so sorry to be so negative, but in my honest opinion I just don't think it's right, or safe, or plausible. I may be wrong! Just my opinion!
I'm in Florida and yes it's possible to challenge and pass the test without formal education. Most of the LTC I've been to care if you have license not where your education care from.
sad?
Heres the book my school uses; I belive the newest edition has a DVD included.
kaiasunshine
83 Posts
As a care aid working for two years now, I sadly have to agree with all of the other replies. While I understand financial constraints can really get in the way and stop people from being able to take certain programs, honestly I cannot see how reading a manual could prepare anybody to take control over the care of 10-20 people. After 4 months of studying coursework and textbooks like you would be, and watching the teacher demonstrate situations and care, we ALL needed the two months of full-time practicum in order to become anywhere near competent. Real life is MILES from text book, and developing the speed, confidence and skill you need to function at a job in complex care or a hospital or community setting requires more time than most employers would be willing to give employees starting from scratch.
Everyone in my class was a bumbling mess for the first part of practicum. There are so, so, so many things that seem like common sense to most employees but really only develops after a proper, supervised practicum and then months actually doing the job, but these are things that are so important to the safety and comfort of your residents/patients. I find it terrifying that Florida allows people to work as care aids with no practicum, which is the most important part of a person's training. I would never allow someone to look after my mom's daily health and safety without extensive hands-on training, there are too many things that could go wrong.
I am so sorry to be so negative, but in my honest opinion I just don't think it's right, or safe, or plausible. I may be wrong! Just my opinion!