CuriousChrys

hello! i live in mercer county, nj and went to an info session for mercer's cna program. only problem is, you do not recieve college credits for taking the course as it is "continuing studies". in doing some research, i see that camden county college does have a cna program, and you will recieve 4 college credits upon completing the program, which can be applied towards their lpn program. my first question is, does anyone know if the cna program at camden is offered during the night or on weekends? [color=olive]also, is camden safe? i keep hearing horror stories about crime, etc. would i be safe driving an hour back and forth at nite by myself & on campus? while i was leaning towards mercer's program in january, mainly because their cna program runs on saturdays only (i work full time), i really may want to enroll in the camden cna program as i want to have the 4 credits and my employer will reimburse me for the course. i"m willing to drive to camden if the class is in the evening or weekend. my employer does not reimburse for continuing studies (mercer) -- only credit courses and certificate courses that gain you college credits. another great thing is that camden has an lpn program! i cannot find a community college near me that offeres one -- only vo-tech schools. and while that is fine; again -- i need a college course to be reimbursed. i really feel there is no need to apply to a vo-tech school, since i won't get my tuition back. why not find a school where my employer will reimburse me my tuition. any info would be helpful. thank you all! :)

Hello! I've been on this site for a few weeks and originally posted a question in the Student's Forum about being a CNA. There is a class coming up in 3 weeks (is held for 15weeks from Oct to Jan. 2010) and I may not make all of the pre-reqs (background check, blood and immunizations) to get in by Oct. 3rd. There is another 15-week class in January. I work full-time at an Ivy League University and I make about $52K (37hrs week) and I don't have a college degree. However, I'd like to supplement my income for my family and do something in the health-care field that would allow me to work some evenings part-time. I will be taking a home-health aide class for sure as it's only 2 weeks and that will definatley allow me to work some nights at about $9-$10 an hour. But, is there a field I can get in to with a higher per-hour salary, and a short learning time and that would allow me to work evenings? I keep reading horror stories about what CNA's do and I'm wondering if I should scrap those plans before I shell out $1K for the class. I'm also interested in Phlebotoy and EKG, but these are only offered at technical or private schools and cost $10-$20/K for tuition and I just can't afford that at all. I really cannot take a loan out at this time. Any help would be appreciated.

Hello! I've been on this site for a few weeks and originally posted a question in the Student's Forum about being a CNA. There is a class coming up in 3 weeks (is held for 15weeks from Oct to Jan. 2010) and I may not make all of the pre-reqs (background check, blood and immunizations) to get in by Oct. 3rd. There is another 15-week class in January. I work full-time at an Ivy League University and I make about $52K (37hrs week) and I don't have a college degree. However, I'd like to supplement my income for my family and do something in the health-care field that would allow me to work some evenings part-time. I will be taking a home-health aide class for sure as it's only 2 weeks and that will definatley allow me to work some nights at about $9-$10 an hour. But, is there a field I can get in to with a higher per-hour salary, and a short learning time and that would allow me to work evenings? I keep reading horror stories about what CNA's do and I'm wondering if I should scrap those plans before I shell out $1K for the class. I'm also interested in Phlebotoy and EKG, but these are only offered at technical or private schools and cost $10-$20/K for tuition and I just can't afford that at all. I really cannot take a loan out at this time. Any help would be appreciated.

i am still having problems finding a night lpn program. since it's done mostly at technical schools, my employer won't pay for it unless it's a degree. my community college has an rn degree program (adn)- however, i have to take tons of pre-reqs before i could even apply. also, i was horrible in high school. just hated schooling altogether. i have math learining issues and left college my first semester in 1983 due to partying and just not wanting to be in school. so, long story short -- i'm not a great student at all. i would hate to pay all this money for classes when i may not be able to pass the math, chem/bio and psych. classes. i just took a placement test at my community college and did not pass the math portion (that's how poor my elementry math skills are). i have to take remedial algebra (thank god i took remedial math 6 years ago there and they still have my records). i did pass the english portion and can go straight to english 101. it still seems after my original post, there have been so many road blocks, that my head is spinning. i'm getting the feeling this is not for me at all. i don't have the money and 4-5 years just seems so long to have to go for something. you have to have the passion to do anything in life and i feel this is a long, intensive journey that i may not be ready to put the time and effort in to. thanks all for your input and kind suggestions. :)

Dear Loreli: My 401K plan has strict stipulations for borrowing and you can only do so for hardship withdrawls, that must be documented under certain serious criteria (health issues, loss of home, etc). Thanks for the suggestion though :)

I spoke directly with my county college's nursing program today. Here in NJ -- you DO NOT have to be a CNA to enroll in the nursing program at all. Of course, you have to get all of your pre-reqs done before enrolling (which I would have to start from scratch as I have no college degree). LPN's here in NJ are phasing out per the head nursing director at the college -- at least here in NJ. Some tech schools offer LPN programs, but again -- I can't do that route because my employer won't pay unless it's a degree program. The CNA program here in central NJ is a continuing education program (1 semester) and has nothing to do with the RN program. CNA's in NJ work primarily in nursing homes or home health facilties (patients one-on-one). That you have to pay for out of pocket and I don't have the money. PLUS, if it is NOT going to get me closer to an RN degree -- then I really shouldn't waste the money. The nursing director told me that I could certainly be a CNA to get hospital experience, but the she said it won't short-cut any of my classes or shorten my time to get my my nursing degree. At least here where I am. This was from the horses mouth! :) She was very kind and answered my questions -- so the next step is to possibly just enroll in county college just to get my pre-reqs out of the way. Doing this P/T will probably take 2yrs and then the nursing portion another 2 yrs=4yrs or 5 to *possibly* my RN degree in that timeframe.

I am traveling to visit a Home Health Care agency today to be a home companion (a place to start, right). If I get employed by them, part-time, I can be trained to be a CHHA for free (I believe) -- which is helpful to me at this point. They stated I have to be an employee. I may start in this way as it will be a foot in the door. If I like it, perhaps I will try to get CNA training (but it seems scarce in my area and I can't afford it) or take general pre-req classes for nursing down the line. Thank you all!

Well -- I found out my employer DOES NOT reimburse for any classes that are continuing education. They ONLY reimburse for classes in degree progams. To be reimbursed for any non-degree classes, those classes would HAVE to be associated with my current job skill (I do administrative work). *sigh*. They will NOT reimburse for any medical related courses -- unless I jump head-first in to school to be a nurse. I just don't want to waste time doing that and then find out I went to school for nothing. So -- taking this CNA course is not going to fly, as I can't get the funds from my employer, nor can I pay on my own or get financial aid. I just don't have the funds out of pocket to pay for a CNA class or a CHHA course. Thanks again to everyone for your help/suggestions. I guess I was right about those roadblocks! :chuckle ----- What's interesting is that in NJ -- A CHHA is governed by the NJ board of Nursing and a CNA is governed by the Dpt of Health and Sr. Services. I would think the two would be opposite. All CHHA classes are mainly during the day, f/t for 3 weeks. I was told that a CHHA does one on one care in someone's home, while a CNA could have 12-20 patients and work in NJ in facilities such as nursing homes and long term care.

Hi RNBSN: The red cross in my area DOES NOT offer CNA classes. I've already checked. Only in the philly area. Hi Kitty: Thanks for the tip regarding the books! I'm going to call the college today to see if there are any alternatives for paying for the CNA class. If there is not (since I can't get financial aid as my household salary is too large), I may have to just forgo this until the right time. I appreciate everyone's suggestions and help!!! Perhaps this isn't the right avenue at this tiime -- seems like there are too many roadblocks. When that happens -- someone may be telling you something.

Hi Dee, thanks so much! Believe me, I DO NOT qualify for financial aid. My son couldn't get aid from FAFSA, because our household income (my husband and I) is a little over $100K from our two jobs combined. I had to take out a government parent loan for my son for $30K. He came home after the first semester, so now I owe $15K and need help w/a 2nd job to start to pay for that loan. I really cannot take another loan out. I live in NJ -- the cost of living here is crazy and you have to make a good salary, just to keep afloat. Unfortunately, Just because my household income is over the median, it doesn't mean we have any money, which is such a joke to me. We have bill, a mortgage, car payments, loans, etc. Things are tight. Also, if I were interested in the this Oct. session that I listed above for the CNA class, I have to have my employer approve the class 31 days before the start date, which would mean I have to get the reimbursement form to my employer TOMORROW. I'm currently out on disability due to surgery and my boss has to sign the form. Nothing is ever easy as it seems!! I may have to miss this class and see if I can take the CNA training somewhere else.

yes - i'm still up! eureka! i found a cna program! it's run by my county college's adult continuing education program and starts in october for 12 saturdays! what do you all think?? thank you o2bsn!!!! (you had the right idea!!!) now i have to see if my employer will reimburse and apply for the program if i can get the money! ======= here is the info: [color=#880000][color=#880000][color=#880000]certified nurse aide (cna)[color=#880000][color=#880000] prerequisites: high school diploma or ged; a clear understanding of written and spoken english; background check; finger printing; proof of the following immunizations: mantoux, hbv, mmr & varicella; and 2-step ppd. costs of the uniform, professional liability insurance, other material fees (approximately $300) and the state exam fee are additional. all applicants are required to attend a free information session at the conference center (xah253-083920) on wednesday, september 16 at 6pm. certified nursing assistants (cnas) are greatly increasing in demand in response to the need for senior care in long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and senior housing. this 90-hour course is approved by the nj department of health and senior services. it is designed to meet the challenge by providing 50 hours of classroom and 40 hours of clinical instruction to prepare you for the new jersey state certified nursing assistant certification exam. as a cna, you will be eligible for employment in a long-term care facility, assisted living facility, adult medical day care, or some hospitals. textbook required. available in college bookstore. 9.0 ceu. tuition and fees: $1,195 (tuition: $720; lab fees: $375; non-refundable registration fee: $100) [color=#880000][color=#880000][color=#880000]oct 3-jan 9*[color=#880000][color=#880000] 12 sessions sa 9am-3:30pm* (1/2 hour for break) *clinical sessions begin at 7:30am and are held at...]

Yikes..it's late! I just did some quick research and it seems like A LOT of Phlebotomists can't find work or just out of certificate training and can't find work. I just found a message board with recent posts and people are really upset that they went thru the training for nothing -- due to the lack of jobs. Have a good nite everyone!

O2BSN: You know -- it's funny you mentioned Phlebotomy! I had thought about that as well, but don't know much about it. Do you have to be certified? And what would one make per diem? How would that work?? Would I work P/T at a hospital or care center?? Unfortunately, this is a great option, but I think I'll be in the same boat. Any training would most likely be at a vocational/technical school and my employer does not do reimbursement for those. If there is a 'certificate' program, it has to be an 'approved certificate program', but they don't list what that entails. So, I may be out of luck with that. I'll have to see. I can't even afford $100 out of pocket at this point!! Just being honest. But I'll search on the phlebotomy avenue, just to see what I come up with. If it only pays $9 per hour, it probably isn't worth it for me. Thanks for all of your help!!

Thanks again Dee!! Do you mean I have to be a CNA before I can enroll in an LPN or RN program? I just looked at the list of accredited schools my employer will accept for tuition and there are NO Vocational/Technical schools listed. Mainly county colleges (which is fine, but there aren't any CNA programs in my area) and and 4yr schools. *sigh* I REFUSE to go pay for money out of pocket that I cannot afford. Things are really, really tight right now (hence the need for me to find PT employment to supplement my income) and I just can't pay for any program or online program that my company will not reimburse me 85%. The only option is doing a RN program at my nearest county college and that is reimburseable. I just don't want to start that and then find it's too hard or I don't like it. It's time and money wasted. Also, in my current FT job, I make about $52K, with full benefits, FREE pension plan (that my employer dumps 9% into without me having to), PLUS a matching 401K. With all of that, I just can't leave my FT job.

O2BSN: Vineland is very far from me -- I'm in the Princeton/Trenton, NJ area. Thank you though; all of you have been gems!! I just wish I wasn't so scared to do this. I've done "other" things before (real estate, etc) and never stayed with it. I had my Real Estate license and went to school w/a broken foot and NEVER did anything with it. I just don't want this to be the same, as it's my M.O. I'm also scared it would be too much to work FT, PT and go to school. Finishing in 5+ years just seems so far away and too long. I cannot attend a day program and would only be able to go to school Part-Time, in the evenings. See..I really am scared and think I'm trying to talk my way out of this.