LilGumble

I'm in the middle of the class right now. (I should actually be in asleep now because I have to wake up at 5:30 to make it to the 7am "clinical" portion. =P) So far I have to say that I love the teacher, but the facility that we are at now is just a bunch of BULL ****. While there are CNA's working there that really care about the residents, some are down right abusive. Cornerstone is currently working on finding and having a new facility approved by the state. But as far as the instruction goes, the small class size makes it fun and my teacher definitely takes the time to talk with each of us and help us work on the skills we need to practice. Only 9 more days to go !

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm realizing that its probably better that I didn't get into the BSN program right away because I have so much to learn just about how the hospital operates in general. I have so much respect for all of you guys!

Hello CNAs! I'm going to be starting a CNA course next week and I need some help gathering more information on if I should sign up for an Acute CNA class after. I applied to a BSN program but was put on the wait list due to lack of experience, so I want to work as a CNA in a hospital setting. I will complete my clinical hours in a long term care facility, so I didn't know if I can apply for jobs at hospitals when I am done...? Also, what are the differences between medical telemetry and surgical? Thank you so much!!

The only problem is that ADN programs near me are all impacted. At the community colleges they're wait listed for fall 2010 already and others are doing lottery. I'm hoping to go CNA --> BSN through Samuel Merritt's accelerated program. How do you like anesthesia?? I was looking at Samuel Merritt's CRNA program and started thinkin'.... maybe some day haha

I just did a job search for CNAs and it doesnt seem like the job outlook is that bad.... From reading the CNA threads on here though I hear that you can get fired pretty easily when you're just starting, but it isn't too hard to find another job. There are even a couple job openings at the hospital right next to SMU's Oakland campus and there are quite a few openings at the hospital down the street from me... Some said they needed 6 mo experience, others just said to be certified. I just hope that there arent a whole bunch of experienced CNA's job hunting too! HAHA. Mann.... everyone wants experience but experience is so hard to get. I'm trying to volunteer at the hospital near my house but they have a whole wave of interns coming in this coming month so they don't have any time to train volunteers.

StarBelly - No, I haven't asked if that's why for sure so it's just my guess. Oakland was my #1 pick, then SM and SF. I'm 29 on the waitlist. What about you? I just finished my microbio this week, so I need to send in that paper work, and I'm also schedule to take my CPR/BLS the first week of April, SO... I have to wait till then for my school to have all my transcripts ready so I'm hoping to mail that all in with the reclassification form by the second week of April... That's SO close to when the programs starts though. I'm kind of not counting on getting in anymore... I just talked so a rep at The Cornerstone College and the guy said they have classes of 15 ppl starting each month and the program is approved and certified by the CDHS. For $900 there are 50 classroom, 8 lab and 100 clinical hours and they have a 99% pass rate for the American Red Cross exam. I'm guessing it's alright then. I can't find CNA classes anywhere on the Red Cross website anyway...

I thought for NCP you already had to have your CNA and they just did the Acute CNA cert? I found "the cornerstone college" CNA program through a google search... it's 19 days/$900 in Hayward. Has anyone heard anything about them?

Hmm... I'm a little suspicious of the CNA course I was looking at then. I'm in Hayward and there's one offered for 19days and $900, but it doesn't include the test. Maybe I should look up a Red Cross CNA course in my area instead. I was told that experience was not necessary too, and when I asked Pat Harrison (back in last April) if I should start volunteering for experience she said not to and just focus on keeping my GPA up. I understand why they would give preference to those who have experience, and maybe some years there aren't as many experienced people who apply. I hope adding a little experience as a CNA will help though. It will help me with the essay/letter part and it will also be helpful to have healthcare professionals write my letters of rec. I have a 3.7 GPA for the last 90 units, 3.8 for the science prereqs and I scored a 90 on the NET. The NET reading section got me... I got 100% on the math, but the weird little story about hoot owls got me. I don't think the reading portion of the NET is a good indicator of your reading comprehension level. Maybe I just needed to study the format of the questions and answers better. Who knows....?

StarBelly - Sorry to hear about that class. That's frustrating. I didn't get in but I'm on the waitlist...I have a great GPA and scored well on the NET but I'm WAY down on the list. From what others who are accepted (Congrats to you guys!!!) have shared on here I think I didn't get in because of lack of experience so I was thinking of getting my CNA if I don't make it in this time, work for a year then reapply. Where are you thinking of going to go for your CNA cert/training?

Yeah, I guess it does all come down to the individual. A person's attitude can make a world of difference. I was just thinking that while I'm waiting to get into an accelerated BSN program I might as well be working so I can get experience and be making some money. My friend said the CNAs at her hospital can make $20/hr. The program I'm looking at is $900 and only takes 19 days. I figure any job is better than no job. Plus the wait to get into an ADN RN program around here is booked till Fall 2010 and LVN/LPN takes 14 months and $20,000 - $28,000. I have a great GPA and I was wait listed because I don't have experience, so I'm hoping working as a CNA for a year will do the trick.

I've also read some posts by CNAs/LVNs that resented RNs/BSNs that just came in without any prior experience and were put in charge over them. That got my attention because I'm 22 and I look really young so I was thinking it may be better for me to have the extra experience anyways rather than just going in completely inexperienced.

I'm currently on a wait list for an accelerated BSN program but I don't think I got in because alot of the people (From what I've found out on here =) who were accepted had previous experience. In the SF Bay Area CNA's make about $13-18 an hour. Right now I get paid $16 as a receptionist (suuper easy), but it's at a place completely unrelated to nursing. I am anxious to be done with school so I was thinking of just taking the CNA course and work for a year for experience then reapply to the ABSN program. I want to get my BSN but I'm just trying to decide how long I want to take getting there

Thank you so much, I did find a couple threads on there that were very helpful =)

I know it's all so confusing weighing out all the options.... all the pros and cons... I have a question too though, LVN/LPN programs are rather impacted, at my local JC's there is already a wait list for fall 2010, and the CC's are going by a lottery system. In that case would it be worth it to just get my CNA? I found a place that will certify me in 19days for $900. Is it worth is just to have the experience when applying to BSN programs??

I feel so overwhelmed trying to do research so I can plan out my mode of attack on education. I have my B.S. in Kinesiology and now want to switch over to nursing. I am currently on a wait list for an accelerated BSN program, but if I don't get in I want to have other options... So if any of you guys out there can offer some help, I would REALLY appreciate it!! 1) How hard is it to find a CNA -> RN program? 2) Would it be better to just start with the CNA to get my foot in the door or is it worth waiting to get into a LPN, RN or BSN program? THANK YOU!