STNA training while pregnant?

[rachkins06]

first off, i am from cincinnati and currently 5 months pregnant. i am really considering taking a two week stna and then a week pca course at a local vocational school in september. i know they probably can not technically tell me i can't take the course because i am pregnant but i was just wondering what i should expect.. am i going to be able to do the tasks? this is my first pregnancy but i would like to have the training finished before my daughter arrives that way while i am taking my maternity leave from my current job i can do the training and job search once the baby is here. i am enrolling in the greak oaks program so if you have any reviews of that and you are from cincinnati i would love to hear as well!

secondly, the school i am enrolling in offers stna(for some reason ohio refers to cna as stna; stands for state tested nursing assistant) training and pca (patient care assistant) training. they do offer a bundle course... would that be worth if or should i just do the stna? i don't really know the difference between the two...

i am hoping to work 3rd shift so i dont know which would be preferred stna or pca.. i am sorry i am full of questions but i am trying to get a plan together and hopefully someone has answers! thanks ahead of time!

[Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN]

First, congratulations on your pregnancy and for making a career decision! Both are huge steps!

Second, I think taking the class is a wonderful idea, but you don't want to take it too soon and then forget your skills by the time you are ready to work. By this, I want to emphasize the 6 weeks or so after delivery that you can't do anything. That's plenty of time to start forgetting stuff. Now, if you want to takethe class now and go straight to work then that's a whole different story.

Good luck with your pregnancy! I hope all goes well!

Dondie

[ohiocleveland]

Thats a good question, you direct to D&S who admister the testing for Ohio. There website is http://www.hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/ohio/OH_STNA_Home.htm you can also review the candidate handbook for additional information.

STNA/PCA are the same, PCA work in a hospital setting in perform different skills then you would in a LTCF - like doing ekg's, reading monitors on a tele floor, draw blood, vitals, etc..