Looking for Info on Going Back to School

It is definately something you could do, even with so many kids at home. I got my CNA license and worked as a CNA duirng nursing school, and I thought the flexibility that being a CNA offered was wonderful. I went through a stephen henegers type school. It cost around $400 but only took three months of two nights a week for school. The job tasks themselves can be less than desirable for some....dressing, bathing, feeding older adults and handicapped. But it an also be a good foot in the door as far as the basic medical skills you will also aquire...taking vital signs, caring for patients. If you are someone with a nuturing nature you will be perfect. Good luck

I have been a CNA for about 10 years although back in school FT for radiography tech so just doing that as well as care for 3 kids at them moment! LOL

My course was 6 week through a local hopspital back in 1999 though. Most course are under 6mos from what others have told me. There is some basic medical terminology as well as basic anatomy, but most is really common sense. It is kind of alot to learn at first though. I felt the course was easy compared to what the job entails!

Typically it depends where you work. You do basic care for patients and basically help them with whatever they can not do. You may be changing them, dressing them, feeding them. You need to be extremely compassionate and at times it can be depressing if you work with eldery especially. You may have patients pass away on you. Typically it is quite physical as many patients can't move to well and CNA
do the grunt work. It is a rewarding job but can be rough on the body! I have worked in many different settings but mostly geriatrics. I personally loves hospice but thats not for everyone. I am back to school so I can make more money and work in a different area of medical profession! I wish you luck. Message me if you need more info I have worked in hopitals, rehab units, assisted living, long term care, hospice, and acute care setting just not pedatrics! LOL

If you are thinking of going back to school maybe you should think about doing more than CNA work.. well if you are looking to have a decent pay with short term schooling than CNA is the way to go,also it depends in what area if CNA you want to work in as well i have been a CNA for about 7 years working predominatly with geriatrics,nursing homes. I work nights with altzheimers residents. It is not to bad of course you will be changing briefs,dressing,help with feeding,reprting to nurses, showering stuff like that but if i were to start over as a CNA again i whould like to start in hospital care instead,since I have worked mostly in a nursing home enviroment I am having a hard time getting work in a acute care or hospital evnviroment even with my years as a CNA... Most hospital require that you have a at least a year experience in working as acute care..Anyways though you will probably end up wanting to go back to school after you get youre CNA as well.. It can be a tryn job at times the work can be hard but it is a very rewarding knowing that you still were someones support and made there day just a little bit easier i went to work somedays feeling down and working with my residents almost always puts a smile back on my face you can be caught off guard as to how apreciative a small guesture like a hug can make such a diffrence..If you want more of a detailed description i will happy to help you out... you can contact me at ____@____.com... Thanks C. Westbrook CNA..

Hi B., I have been a CNA for a very long time! About 10 years ago, I went to be school to be certified in Az. My advice for any schooling choice is to go with the PUBLIC colleges. There are many options out there, but the community colleges offer the CHEAPEST and BEST Education option. The teachers are all certified teachers, whereas private schools charge ALOT more and the teachers are usually not certified teachers.
The best best place to work is home health care or hospital. Nursing homes are terrible places to work and the pay is low. I worked in 4 hospitals in 3 States. I have done relief work in Hospitals and nursing homes, and I have done home health care. I like care giving. It is very rewarding work. Most hospitals do require that you know unit secretary and phlebotomy (blood draws), which I did also. Most community colleges in Maricopa County offer the proper schooling and State testing you will need. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me. C.

Hi B. :)

I am a CNA who got certified in California, and I am sure that it probably is not much different here to become one. I took the summer class at my local junior college, I think it was 8am-3pm or so Monday through Thursday, for 5 or 6 weeks total. We had whats called clinical, which is when you go to hospitals and practice the skills you have learned on patients with help from nurses who are employed there. That goes on for the last 2 weeks of class. Once you pass the class, you will be given the information to need to become certified by the state to take their exam.

I actually became pregnant about a week after the class was over, so I never ended up actually using my certification yet because I have been a stay at home mom! I hope to soon though. Hope I gave you a decent idea about it all, you can always e-mail me at ____@____.com