natd9

I don't see how the OP is lazy just because she's reluctant to the tasks she mentioned. It's not everyone's cup of tea, and calling her lazy just because of her preference is rude. OP, those things are a big part of a CNA's duties. I really don't see how you get around it. I highly, highly recommend taking a CNA course before you apply for nursing schools. That's what I did and I'm very thankful as it made me realize that I won't be furthering my education in nursing.

I am so sorry It really makes you wonder what their motivation is: to get people started in their health careers, or make money.I know setting the scale to zero is one of the checking points of the task, as I'm looking at my Prometric study guide right now. But I was told that notes about performance on skills are entered into a computer, then scored; failing on one thing out of 3 skills is too ridiculous. I hope you hear back from Prometric and get this resolved. $167 is not a small amount by any means. Good luck. :)

Thanks for the help!

It's the Michigan state exam, by the way. I have a couple of questions. Is the written portion of the exam from the basics taught in CNA classes? I took the CNA course through Red Cross and still have the textbook. I'm re-reading it to hopefully prepare me for the exam. I took the quiz posted on MI's Prometric website, but missed more than half of the questions. I always did well on the quizzes at Red Cross, and my teacher said I would do well on the written exam. But a lot of the questions on MI's site, I had no clue about. I'm very worried about it now. I just want to know for those who took the exam if it's just common sense questions or extensive knowledge about the specifics is needed. For the skills portion: Are we supposed to know the supplies needed for each skills? Say, if bed bath is one skill, is the test taker to remember and gather the supplies needed for it, like a bath blanket, etc... or are the supplies already set out for us? Last question: Do we have to wear scrubs to the exam or are everyday clothes OK? Silly question, but I'm paranoid about everything. Thanks.

Thanks for replying, everyone. Tonight was my last day of clinicals, and I passed! I'm so relieved right now; the course seems to have lasted forever. I really enjoyed going to the LTC everyday, and getting to know the residents. I will try to take my state exam in the upcoming months. Yay!

Our first day was actually Friday, but all we did was sit around and do busywork, so no interaction with the residents. Each student is assigned to one resident on Monday, and we will have to do bed bath, shower, perineal care, transferring, etc. I'm a nervous wreck. It's one thing to practice in class on dummies and healthy people, but entirely different to work on the elderly people. The only thing that's going to keep me going is that I only have four more days of this clinicals, but I have to pass first. Please give me any advice, tips, whatever.

I paid $1000 to receive CNA training through Red Cross. I'm greatly disappointed. To begin with, the course, in my opinion, isn't worth a $1000. We have to bring everything of our own, including toothbrushes, towels, cloths, etc. No uniforms included, only the book. I'm not sure what they're doing with all that money; even the sheets used in class have been donated. The instructors, particularly the assistant who comes in on skills day, are rude, to say the least. I've been in school for many years and I've never had a teacher talk to me the way they do. I wish I would have taken my $1000 somewhere else. If a CNA is what you want to do, LikestoWander, then go for it. Hopefully, in the end, it is worth it despite the high cost.

Thanks to everyone for the help. I'm in a dilemma because I'm in my final semester of nursing pre-reqs, and I was going to apply to nursing schools in April/May. Now, I'm not sure... If I don't like the CNA course, I can just imagine how much I'm going to hate nursing school. It would be unfair for me to continue on with something that I dislike, but yet, I'm stuck with all these nursing pre-reqs I have taken over the years.

I'm currently taking a CNA course through Red Cross, just finished my second week of class yesterday. I do not like the class. I took the class so I can start working in the health field while waiting to get into nursing school to become an RN, but I'm reconsidering it. Any help is appreciated.

I registered for the Red Cross CNA course a few months ago and paid $1000 for it. For the TB test, I went to a place where it was offered for free. My classes are January 4-February 1, 5-9:45 PM. If you need help paying, the papers I received through Red Cross had information on how to use loans to pay for the free. If this is something you want to do, please check in with them, it doesn't hurt to try.

Thanks for the help. I live in Michigan, a not so hot market to be job hunting....

Due to the advise of members here, I have decided to start my CNA training soon. I'll be taking it through Red Cross, January 1st-February 4th. Now that I've payed the fees and everything, I'm concerned about actually finding a CNA job. I'll be 20 by the time I start looking for a CNA job, but I only have a small amount of work experience. I've been nothing more than a seasonal cashier in retail, and I'll a full time student. Based on this, would any hospital, LTC, etc., even consider hiring me? I payed $1000 for the CNA course, and I can't afford to not find a job next year after the training is over.

That's one of the pre-req courses nursing programs around here want. It's not an Organic Chemistry class. At my current college, in fact, Survey is CHE 1320 while General Chemistry is CHE 1510.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the help. My decision has been made easier by your posts... I checked up on the Red Cross Nursing Assistant program, and I plan to enroll in it next summer. It's $950, but I've heard very good reviews about it, so I hope it's money well spent.

A little background: I'm currently finishing up my nursing pre-reqs; I will apply to nursing school for Fall 2010. I've applied for retail, fast-food, and typical teenage jobs (I'm 19), but no luck. I want some $$ of my own, but I'm just so discouraged with my (no) job situation. I've recently become interested in joining a CNA program; this way, I gain valuable experience in the health field, and earn. (even if it's minimum age, I'm OK with it) So... I've read that the CNA program lasts a few months and you can find work right away after that. Is that true? Should I enroll in a CNA program while I'm finishing up my Microbiology & chemistry classes so I can start working and earn some money? Would a mere student like me, one that has no job experience, be OK for the CNA program, and will I get hired by nursing homes/hospitals, realistically speaking?