40yr old guy needs advice on STNA

foreverLaur · Feb 28, 2010

Yes, they do. I actually prefer the french toast though - they put cinnamon in the batter :) The crepes are amazing as well.

If you haven't, check out the dinner menu. I've been trying a lot lately and I've been very impressed.

NavyVet · Feb 28, 2010

NavyVet, if you don't mind me asking, where did you graduate from?

Hiya my4helpers,

I graduated from Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences last May. It's an associates degree program here in Canton, Ohio. Aultman hospital provides the clinical sites and most of the general education classes are contracted through Walsh University. As I mentioned previously, the tuition is pretty pricey, @$410 or so a credit hour, very overpriced in my opinion when compared to a community college option. The upside of the higher tuition is that I was able to start immediately and graduate in 2 years, versus the community college running a 2 waitlist just to start the nursing portion of the degree.

foreverLaur · Feb 28, 2010

Hiya my4helpers,
I graduated from Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences last May. It's an associates degree program here in Canton, Ohio. Aultman hospital provides the clinical sites and most of the general education classes are contracted through Walsh University. As I mentioned previously, the tuition is pretty pricey, @$410 or so a credit hour, very overpriced in my opinion when compared to a community college option. The upside of the higher tuition is that I was able to start immediately and graduate in 2 years, versus the community college running a 2 waitlist just to start the nursing portion of the degree.

Akron Institute and Tri-C don't have wait lists.

my4helpers · Feb 28, 2010

Hiya my4helpers,
I graduated from Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences last May. It's an associates degree program here in Canton, Ohio. Aultman hospital provides the clinical sites and most of the general education classes are contracted through Walsh University. As I mentioned previously, the tuition is pretty pricey, @$410 or so a credit hour, very overpriced in my opinion when compared to a community college option. The upside of the higher tuition is that I was able to start immediately and graduate in 2 years, versus the community college running a 2 waitlist just to start the nursing portion of the degree.

When you stated that you only went for two years, I was guessing it was Aultman. When you get a chance, could you please post or email me about this program. Right now I am attending Kent, but as I am sure you know, this area does not have very many associates degree programs close by. I live in Navarre and I am taking my prereqs between Kent Tusc and the Stark branch. Kent Tusc is the only local college that offers the ADN program and stark state has a waiting list. A classmate of mine has just been accepted into Aultman for this fall, but he is really hoping to get into Kent because of the price. I completely forgot about Aultman until he told me about it. I plan to finish all my prereqs by May 2011. I will be submitting my application to Aultman and Kent in Jan. '11. Also, does the nursing program start every Aug/Sept or do they have another class that starts in Jan. as well?

Streamline2010 · Mar 9, 2010

Hello all. I just registered here because I need advice from folks who may be in the know.
Im 40yrs old, just lost my job at GE, where I worked the past 14 years. I have alot of industrial maintenance, machine mechanic experience, but there just arent any manufacturing jobs left. At least not in the NE Ohio area.
Ive been out of work nearly 22 months, and Im giving up.
Ive been considering taking the STNA classes offered locally, and wonder if theres a place for me in this field?

For salaries, check the data on the Ohio training provider list for STNA training in your region. Unless it's a brand new program, they should have submitted salary data for recent grads and some for longer-term employed to Ohio WorkForce or whomever it is over there that deals with the WIA/TAA approved training provider lists. In NE PA, I think the rates are more like $8 to $10 per hour in Mercer & Lawrence counties, just off the top of my head. My reaction was: Wal-Mart pays $10 per hour. MacDonald's, too, sometimes.

If you GE guys were RIF'd and not just laid off with an indefinite recall, you should have some WIA training money available like maybe $8000 per person ($4000 per year for a 2 year program.) If you are good at testing in math, English, and basic science, you could probably get into LPN school (1 yr full time or 2 yrs part time, except that TCCTC new 18 month LPN experiment.) The total cost of those LPN schools over there is say, $10,000 to $11,000. And the school day is 7AM to 3PM so that leaves time to study and also pick up some part time odd jobs.

I am sure that the math for LPN is straight out of the GED Math Review books, just pick one, lol. English is probably also the GED material. The science has a smattering of biology, and the LPN tests that I took had more than a smattering of material from what I'd call microbiology, and some questions to see what you know about disease symptoms, # of teeth, etc. I didn't see much A&P material on there. I did rely on my college microbiology rather a lot, though. And there always seems to be some ethics and also some questions to test your attitude. With those WWYD-in-this-work-situation questions, the correct answers must usually be "Assume a leadership role." I always deferred to higher authority on the first LPN test I took, and tested so low in that category that I know submissiveness was the wrong direction, hehe. Attended the orientation for the LPN class and was told that most LPN jobs are in nursing homes, the LPN supervises teams of aides and others, so therefore LPN needs to have leadership qualities. Well, I've had that all along. I just thought LPNs were not supposed to show it, though.

Best of luck, OP! :up:

mikeb1989 · May 7, 2010

Grumpy,
Your story is almost exactly like mine. I turn 40 in another month, I've been an electrician for the last 16 years but I cannot find work, and I've seriously considering STNA and PCA training oh, and I'm a big guy too (actually somewhat larger than you).
I'm very close to taking STNA and PCA training locally at Great Oaks (a local vocational program). I view it is a 'first step' toward RN or LPN. I figure that it's a way to get my feet in to the health field and decide if this is something that I can see doing as a career. Also it seems that in order to get into many RN or LPN programs it helps to already be certified in STNA. And finally, I hope to work someplace that offers tuition reimbursement.
I will definitely monitor this post for the advice that you get. Please post back what you end up doing, as I also am interested.
Good luck,
Bear

Hey my email is in my account info. I see you were planning on attending Great Oaks program. I also am considering this program to become a STNA and i am a male also. I was wondering if you could e-mail me and give me any infor you had on the class if you have already taken the class thanks.

bearsloft · May 8, 2010

Hey my email is in my account info. I see you were planning on attending Great Oaks program. I also am considering this program to become a STNA and i am a male also. I was wondering if you could e-mail me and give me any infor you had on the class if you have already taken the class thanks.

Mike, I'm not seeing your email. Nor am I seeing a way to send you a message. But I'll try to field your question. I just completed the 2 week STNA class at Great Oaks Health Academy located in the old Jewish Hospital (near the corner of MLK and Burnet). We learned a lot in a short time and did 2 days of clinical at Beechwood nursing home in Obryonville. The total cost for the program was about $650. There were 23 of us in the class and most of us were private pay. A lucky few were sent there by their employers (who paid for the class and their salary). There was one from Christ Hospital and 2 or 3 from some place with Mt Washington in the name (sorry I didn't catch the full name).

If you're looking around at other schools be careful when you compare the price. The price for this class included books and one shot at the state test to become a registered nurse aide. Not all schools do that. So another school might look cheaper but . . .

We're scheduled to take the state test in the last week of May. I believe there are 79 questions and we will have to demonstrate our knowledge of the 33 skills by doing 4 random skills (they're choice not ours :-) and proper hand washing for our 5th skill.

I have learned a lot in a short while. Clinicals were a bit of an eye opener too. I know I left determined to make sure that my living will was properly prepared.

I am taking the PCA class next also with Great Oaks. I hope to get a job that offers tuition assistance (probably at a hospital). And I'm getting my paperwork in order to enroll in the Cincinnati State LPN program. Although I'll freely admit, I'm more than a little nervous that landing an LPN job in Greater Cincinnati isn't as easy to do as an RN job.

Oh, and a brief bit of explanation in case you didn't know. The STNA title primarily prepares you for work in a LTCF (nursing homes and similar places). Hospital will hire STNAs but then they do some additional training to prepare them for work in the hospital as a PCA (personal care assistant). For me to take this class on my own (out of my pocket) is $350.

Finally, Great Oaks offers an alternative class. It's a 5 week class that combines the 2 week STNA curriculum and the 1 week PCA curriculum for over $2000. What you may ask is in the extra 2 weeks of class (and the additional G)? Resume help, job coaching, and interviews.

mikeb1989 · May 9, 2010

Mike, I'm not seeing your email. Nor am I seeing a way to send you a message. But I'll try to field your question. I just completed the 2 week STNA class at Great Oaks Health Academy located in the old Jewish Hospital (near the corner of MLK and Burnet). We learned a lot in a short time and did 2 days of clinical at Beechwood nursing home in Obryonville. The total cost for the program was about $650. There were 23 of us in the class and most of us were private pay. A lucky few were sent there by their employers (who paid for the class and their salary). There was one from Christ Hospital and 2 or 3 from some place with Mt Washington in the name (sorry I didn't catch the full name).
If you're looking around at other schools be careful when you compare the price. The price for this class included books and one shot at the state test to become a registered nurse aide. Not all schools do that. So another school might look cheaper but . . .
We're scheduled to take the state test in the last week of May. I believe there are 79 questions and we will have to demonstrate our knowledge of the 33 skills by doing 4 random skills (they're choice not ours :-) and proper hand washing for our 5th skill.
I have learned a lot in a short while. Clinicals were a bit of an eye opener too. I know I left determined to make sure that my living will was properly prepared.
I am taking the PCA class next also with Great Oaks. I hope to get a job that offers tuition assistance (probably at a hospital). And I'm getting my paperwork in order to enroll in the Cincinnati State LPN program. Although I'll freely admit, I'm more than a little nervous that landing an LPN job in Greater Cincinnati isn't as easy to do as an RN job.
Oh, and a brief bit of explanation in case you didn't know. The STNA title primarily prepares you for work in a LTCF (nursing homes and similar places). Hospital will hire STNAs but then they do some additional training to prepare them for work in the hospital as a PCA (personal care assistant). For me to take this class on my own (out of my pocket) is $350.
Finally, Great Oaks offers an alternative class. It's a 5 week class that combines the 2 week STNA curriculum and the 1 week PCA curriculum for over $2000. What you may ask is in the extra 2 weeks of class (and the additional G)? Resume help, job coaching, and interviews.

Thank you for all the great information, exceeded my expactions! I was told there is a 2 soon to be 3 year waiting list for lpn at Cincy state, just a heads up they will try to talk you in to taking pre reqs there then tell you about the wait. My plan is very simular to yours I want to goto the two week course at Great oaks. Get a job at a nursing home eventually at a hospital. I plan on becoming a RN, havent decided which school, most like i will apply to all of them in Cincinnati and be accepted into one. MY e mil is [email protected] let me know when you read this so i can delete as im sure i will receive a lot of spam putting it in here, it would be cool to keep in contact with you since you just a step or two infront of me.

I didnt know it would take so long to be able to take the test, well thank you for all the info.

What color scrubs did you have to wear there? is there any additional equiptment not included in the $650 (stechoscope, ect)? thanks for your help.

cincinnati · Jul 30, 2010

Hey there!

The waiting list must have changed. I applied in July for the 12 month LPN day track that starts in September, and I did get in. I know they still have slots in the late fall track at Diamond Oaks as well. Don't let the rumors get to you...just go in and talk to the advisor if you're really interested. They can help you get done what you need to do to get in!

Heavenly4505 · Dec 2, 2010

Hello,

Sorry to chime in late on this post. I am getting ready to graduate from the LPN program at Cincy State/Great Oaks in March 2011. There is NO waiting list for the LPN program. I think you are talking about the RN program. There is about a 2 to 3-year wait for that degree. I do know Cincy State is going to be changing from quarters to semesters next year, so who knows how that will affect all of those programs there. Anyway, if you have any questions about the LPN program specifically, please feel free to ask.

grenbrier · Mar 20, 2011

I plan on taking a stna class in April. My husband and I aren't rich but not doing to bad since moving into a place with cheaper rent. I would like to really fund our savings account. Enough for a sizeable down payment on a small house, unless something more important comes up.

NurseHopefulInOH · Mar 30, 2011

I'm a nurse at a LTC facility and we definetly appreciate our male aid's and our residents really seem to respond well to them.I've found a lot of male residents that might be difficult and combative with young girl STNAs are great with male STNAs. It's good to have diversity and some strong arms around. I believe where I work pays anywhere from $8-12/hr depending on experience and training. It's always easy to get hrs for the STNAs.