Trying to find right CNA program-Please Help!

[BeJuled]

While I am waiting to get into RN school, I want to get some experience working as a CNA, does anyone thats in RN school or has been think that this would be helpful?

If so, I want to find one somewhere in Orange County. I have tried to get into ROP cna program but haven't had any luck because they are cheap they are the most popular. Has anyone ever heard of Qbics or Eduqubics in Santa Ana? Its private so its more expensive but do employers look at where you took your training or do they only care that you have your CNA license?

Basically I need to do a short program that starts asap. I can pay for private, I just need to find a legit school and also I want to work in a hospital, do you have to get the "acute care" training to work in a hospital or do they accept that you have a basic CNA license?

Sorry for all the questions, any advice or help would be very appreciated!

[toshea]

I did my cna at NOCROP. It was a great experience. As far as acute care, hospital jobs, they want you to have the certificate or 1 year experience.

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

If you go to the CNA discussion forum there's a sticky about CNA programs in California. Keep in mind that some of the JC's that offer it aren't on that list, but it's offered and I had no issues getting my CNA license. Good Luck

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

Regarding Acute Care CNA, it wont guarantee you a job over someone who has just a CNA. Honestly the only difference that I see if that you do your clinicals in a hospital. I had no problems getting a job with my CNA in the hospital. Usually the hospitals want you to have at least one year experience in the LTC facility before they will consider you. I've heard of people getting hired at the hosptial with out any experience but given the economy the way it is, they can be picky and hire someone with experience.

[BeJuled]

toshea, when did you take the CNA course at NOCROP? I have been looking into their "fee-based" CNA class but it is CNA/Home health aide and I don't necessarily want to be a HHA, I want to at least work in a nursing home or hospital but would I be able to with the CNA/HHA training? They don't offer the basic CNA class, you have to pay $1,500 for it which I am able to pay, I'm just not sure getting CNA/HHA would be the right thing for me, is this the one you took?

Thank you for the replies!!

[toshea]

I took the CNA class in Sept. and got my certificate in Nov. 09. I am currently in acute care, and that class finishes at the end of Jan. NOCROP does have CNA without HHA. Also, acute care/cna. As far as the HHA, that you have to be a CNA first with a CNA certificate. That class was canceled this past semester due to it being fee-based and they did not have 25 people willing to pay the fee. You do have to wait in a line, and the line can be long. I got there at 4am and there were a few dozen in front of me. High schoolers take priority in ROP now, so keep that in mind as the summer sessions fill up with them. But, it has been a good experience and clinicals are great.