What did you NOT learn that you needed

rancelumsden · Sep 21, 2008

I worked in hospital, so all the hospital-related items. EKG's, monitors, computer system (which of course varies), suctioning, scd's, etc. But I would not expect them to be taught in class. The general skills taught in clinicals are what you really need to start out.

As far as I'm concerned, at least in Illinois as it varies from state-to-state, I needed more clinical time to better learn the skills and have more 'hands on' time with patients/residents. I would like to see 40 hours clinical time, as much time as classroom.

I would also 'ban' 3-day classes. NO ONE learns the 'book side' of being a CNA in 3 days. You need to do homework, read chapters, discuss them in class and have lectures, etc. I would not trust anyone coming out of a 3-day class as knowing anything. I know, there are people on the forum who did this and I admit a great bias. You can actually retain 20 chapters of material in 3 days --- it's just not possible.

imafostermom · Sep 21, 2008

Thanks, I will include SCD's, suction, and EKG leads. These are not normally taught in a CNA class but will definitely benefit the CNA to know. Anything else??? I am teaching at a high school that has "academies" for criminal justice, education, engineering, automotive, construction, firefighting, vet tech, med lab tech, allied health, and CNA. It is newer in the high schools in our area (our school has had them for 4 yrs) and intended to promote graduation by allowing students to have electives that are job oriented. I cover all the things they will have on the skills test but I wanted to know what else you felt would have been beneficial to know.

rancelumsden · Sep 21, 2008

I feel I had a pretty good, general, background. But I had a good instructor and you have to realize that I changed careers for a 3rd time at age 52 and have about 8 years of college classes. My perspective is different from an 18-year old.

I took the class seriously. The instructor took the class seriously. You were dropped if late, dropped if you missed a class, dropped if you didn't maintain a 'c' average.

We used the Mosby textbook, and covered the majority of the chapters. We had a quiz EVERY day (and you were dropped if not maintaining 'c' average on those quizzes). We had daily reading and homework and people were called on in class to determine if they actually read the text.

That's a long winded way of stating that I believe in this 'old fashioned' way of teaching and forcing responsibility on the part of students. That's how you get something out of the class. We all know you can attend a class and come away with nothing from it. So, how the class is taught is the larger aspect, to me. The Mosby text, I think, is well written and well rounded.

chickapea · Sep 22, 2008

I worked in hospital, so all the hospital-related items. EKG's, monitors, computer system (which of course varies), suctioning, scd's, etc. But I would not expect them to be taught in class. The general skills taught in clinicals are what you really need to start out.
As far as I'm concerned, at least in Illinois as it varies from state-to-state, I needed more clinical time to better learn the skills and have more 'hands on' time with patients/residents. I would like to see 40 hours clinical time, as much time as classroom.
I would also 'ban' 3-day classes. NO ONE learns the 'book side' of being a CNA in 3 days. You need to do homework, read chapters, discuss them in class and have lectures, etc. I would not trust anyone coming out of a 3-day class as knowing anything. I know, there are people on the forum who did this and I admit a great bias. You can actually retain 20 chapters of material in 3 days --- it's just not possible.

Wow, at least 40 hours of clinical... we need way more than double that here in CA to be a C.N.A.! How many clinical hours do you need now? I'm with you on banning the 3 day class... I've never even heard of that... yikes. :no:

MichaelCNA · Sep 23, 2008

The class I registered for is a total of 120 hours. 60 hours lecture/60 hours clinical.

Mike

casi, ASN, RN · Sep 23, 2008

The art of ducking confused little old lady swings.

rancelumsden · Sep 23, 2008

The art of ducking confused little old lady swings.

I should have thought of that! :banghead:

rancelumsden · Sep 23, 2008

The class I registered for is a total of 120 hours. 60 hours lecture/60 hours clinical.
Mike

That sounds like a 'real' class. :yeah: I have not checked as I'm out of the 'business' now, but standards may have increased as far as training hours required for certification here in Illinois.