TBMB

Ok, I looked into the FAFSA but it only does cover certain schools that do offer the CNA. I also looked into Red Cross, and it is $495.00 but not including lab costs and the state exam, which I am not sure how much everything adds up. It does offer more and obtaining more certificates, CPR, HIV, etc. . Florida Med Prep offers a week or two course for $279.00. Guess I will go that route. Maybe it just takes some digging to do, I don't know. I just know there are additional costs (well, nothing is free afterall), for it not be for the lab costs and state exam (which is separate anyway), the additional certificates for Florida Med Prep. I can also get in contact with WIA and find out if they offer anything to help with going towards the CNA. I'd hate to just give up on becoming a CNA. I'm sure everyone Tom, Dick and Harry is finding out that to become a CNA takes short amount of schooling = give me a job. Guess I can't blame that and I'm not judging, as the economy is the way it is. I'm unemployed too and since I've wanted to become a CNA for awhile, I want to make the steps to get there.

I've been wanting to work in health care for as long as I can remember. My sights were always set on RN, but becoming a CNA to me will be such great experience and many benefits and rewards that far exceed the pay itself. Those are the other things that you can't pay for and that are priceless (and I'm trying to become one!). I want to become a CNA to enter the health care field and care for patients. I also had life experience with my beloved uncle, Billy, who had down syndrome and I always loved and enjoyed chatting with him, being around him. I much preferred spending time with him than anyone else in the world. He passed away around the holidays last year. He was in his 60's and he lived longer than those with the "condition." I learned so much about him. I want to be with others like him and take care of them. Right now, since I worked in retail for 4 years, it's a point that if I'm going to be working around others, I want to care for them and give them that touch of a hand or hug, I want to offer that special touch that I can't get in any other field besides working with animals. I want and need to be around others as bright as I am so I can also learn from them. As silly as it sounds, I also love wearing scrubs, having a first aid kit near me and gloves. Sounds immature but when I volunteered for animals I got excited over this because I knew there was a care of action to be taken and done. I'll, again, look into more of my resources. I'm bound to find something. Thanks again everyone!

I'll definitely look around. There are some technical schools around that offer a CNA course, even a some places like retirement homes are affiliated courses out of their buildings. Florida Med Prep comes to hand. They have a weekend course, or a 2 week course, separated on time lengths (8 hours, 3 hours, etc.) It will be shorter and more cheaper. I like the Red Cross style, which is 4-6 weeks and they really prepare you so I know I will get the best. I was thinking off applying for financial aid through FAFSA and select certificate less than 2 years, but then I would have to choose a school. A college and some tech schools are listed, but I believe I would actually would need to attend at that individual school. Thank you all so much for your replies!

Thanks you two. Really helpful. Another choice was Florida Med Prep which I've heard good stories about as well. They are a bit cheaper but also don't include a lot of things in the price either. I'll call around and research more on programs, as well as funding too. I really want to become a CNA.

I am in the process of obtaining my GED and looking into becoming a CNA after. I just learned that there is no aid available for a CNA course and I am without job as well. Obviously after obtaining the GED, I would look for a job and save up for a CNA course. There's no easy way to go about it and I understand that, it's just that, if you are as a matter of fact unemployed, and want to become a CNA, you would not be able to (no one specifically, just my experience). I really want to attend my local Red Cross CNA course because I know I will receive the best training there. But it will be $495.00 (which really is a good deal considering the things included). Then I'd have to sit for the state exam ($$). I understand nothing is free, and we must work toward things we want. I've just been having my sights set on becoming a CNA for a long time and it's all I want to do right now. Most jobs are retail (which I've done and had several injuries from it, bad experiences), fast food. I can look into a call center for now and there's a lot of them in the area (that also pay the same, if not a little more, than a CNA) as well as hotel jobs, and save for a course. I'm trying not to become discouraged, but right now I understand there are more jobs out there than a CNA. I was hoping once passing the GED I can just go straight toward the CNA. It's not looking like I will right now, unfortunately.

Congratulations on going for your GED. Good for you. :) It will be a huge accomplishment and will pay off in the end. To be honest, I'm sure a lot of people are without a GED for many reasons. It does take a lot of courage and determination to obtaining a GED and "going back to school." It helps to know you aren't alone. We really aren't and it's nice to know others are in the same boat as we are. I too am working towards getting my GED. There are several CNA prorgrams in the area that don't require a GED to enter the program, but for employment it does, so I'm going to work towards my GED first, no matter how long or how hard it will take. You are no less a person or less of a hard worker in that you are working towards something that does require hard work. It will definitely pay off in the end. I wish you luck in getting your GED. You can do it. You're going in the right direction. Being discouraged so much leads to more better encouragement. Don't give up!

I've been reading some of these posts about which "CNA schooling" to take and I'm having a hard time basing my decision on either of them. I know Florida Medical Prep (I live in Tampa if that helps any) I hear about (which I've spoken with before on the phone---very informative) but then others rave about American Red Cross, or taking the class at a community college or even a technical school. Summing it up, the "prep schools" is, probably, a week or two class, 2-5 hours a day, while at an "actual" school setting, is a month+, 8 hours a day, and they really prepare you as well. I guess it depends on how we learn. I value one-on-one attention, walk-me-through, details. I know someone mentioned that employers don't really care where you went to PREPARE, just as long as you PASSED the state test. At the same time I want to be sure where I'm going to prepare to become a CNA, that I'm receiving quality training and schooling (probably at a tech or college, or Red Cross). I believe those may prepare me more better (actual clinicals/people), but they will cost a lot more as well. Of course I like many others just want to get out there into the field and work (which is a blessing nowadays). I also want to be knowledgeable, prepared and competent at what I'm doing (which takes experience as well).