lilSiouXz

Dang, i hate to hear that, i know that course wasn't cheap. that is exactly what i was afraid of. i have decided to go the CNA route and hope to start a course here soon with TCC. how have you found the job market for MAs? good luck to you, siouXz

awesome to hear such positive feedback - thanx! i feel good about volunteering and helping out, but just knowing that it may help me out to secure employment is a definite plus!

so with that being said, how would a brand spanking new CNA get hospital experience? maybe it's just me being naive, but I really thought that applying at Nursing Homes or Assisted Living/LTC facilities was a give in. I never really considered trying to apply at a hospital. How likely would a new CNA be hired by a hospital? Would it be beneficial at all to start at a Nursing Home and gain some experience there, then try to get on with a hospital?

i just wanted to share an experience i had today that i'm hoping will help me secure a position when i finish up my course. i won't be starting my CNA course until May, but i've been calling nursing homes and assisted living facilities in my area asking if i could volunteer until my class started. i'm lucky that the major 'hospital-chain' in our area (Virginia beach) has several of these facilities throughout the area. they have all responded very positively. anyway, i went in and spoke to the guy in charge of volunteers at one of the facilities today, and picked out 2 afternoons that i can volunteer. he wrote me up a letter to have a TB test/PPD done at the hospital for free tomorrow, then i can just go in to the facility on Monday to have it read, and then stay to volunteer for the first time. as i was leaving, he mentioned that once i finish my course and get licensed, that it was a good possibility of me being picked up there since i would already have a bit of experience there and have built up some relationships/references. i'm hoping it will work out just as he said. if nothing else, my course required that i have an up-to-date TB test, so i will have that part of my list checked off. i'll also be looking at one other facility tomorrow. anyone else have success in this approach?

CONGRATS to all of you!! :w00t:

Thanks Helen. Now that you mention Bon Secours, do you have a good link to get information about the courses they provide? I haven't had much luck finding info on anything but the services they provide to patients. **ok, I can be a little goofy at times, I just found the page as soon as I posted this. :/

thanx guys... good info! ..wink..

VB campus. I went ahead and canceled my appointment. It's been a VERYlong time for me!! haha!! I'm looking at other options at this point, but would still like any feedback from anyone else that might know the information. thanx

Please excuse my ignorance, trying to take in as much info as I can (this forum is a God send!!) and get acclimated to this nursing world. I was a stay at home mom for 18 years and then took a few clerical jobs here and there. I'm ready to look into getting an education for myself and secure a stable career. I find that taking care of others is something that calls me. I have a friend who is a CNA, and he suggested I go that route just to get familiar with being around nurses and the environment. My brain is not swirling with a bazillion questions: 1. Why is it so dang hard to find any schools/programs for CNA? I live in Va Bch and there are plenty of programs advertised for LPN, RN, MA - but I'm struggling to find anything for CNA. 2. I spoke to a MCI rep last week, and he mentioned a Medical Assistant program - is that at allsimilar? The paperwork mentions "National Certification Exam Prep" - just confused if that is CNA certification or something completely different. 3. I just noticed that Sentara School of Health Professions has a Nursing Aide Program - sheesh!! is that a CNA??!! can you FEEL my frustration? haha!! :chuckle TIA to any responses siouXz

I could take the LPN course and then if I wanted to come back for the RN course, I would only have the take the 6 or so classes to make up the difference. I think he said I would pay a 'per class' price. Has anyone out there done this? I've read other threads where some of you are saying that MCI doesn't even take it's own credits - this makes me wonder if I was given some bad information. Also, I have one more question, I have an appointment to go back there to take some tests (he said it would take about 2 hours) - is this the infamous TEAS? If so, I'm a little worried that I should have studied for it. help?

Hey there,Stephanie, just curious as to how school is working out for you. I went on to the New Horizons Regional Education Center website and left there a little confused. It sure is limited on information - guess I just need to call. I'm still shopping around for the right school and wanted to pick your brain. thanx - siouXz