CNA Advice (Phoenix, Chandler: transfer, good schools, income)

[PhoenixSomeday]

I am in software development and doing well; I am asking this for my girlfriend. She is interested in the medical field and is trying to find a reasonable combo of cost/training/education to get that first step in, and from there she can be getting experience while working toward a higher degree/certs (she does currently have a BA, though in an unrelated field). We have a toddler and a baby that she cares for during the day, but her mom is available to help if the best place to go doesn't really have night/weekend learning.

We came across the idea of a CNA, where it's 3-6 weeks of learning and a few months of training. It sounds like a reasonable starting point to get in and eventually learn more and move up. We did some googling and it's the typical mixed reviews from various sites with every school/place being called equally good/sham at the same time - such as AMTI, which at $1100 for only a few weeks and a bit of googling is a bit much to toss out without solid information and recommendation.

I read a few threads here via search and there doesn't seem to be a lot of info regarding this, and not recently, but it does sound like there are clearly knowledgeable people high up in the field around here and in the know, so I'd definitely trust the information here regarding solid, reputable places to go get the education/cert from more than uninformed googling!

Because we have my income in software development, this isn't some "need a job quick to make a bunch of money to support everyone" thing, so there is some flexibility there.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by PhoenixSomeday

I am in software development and doing well; I am asking this for my girlfriend. She is interested in the medical field and is trying to find a reasonable combo of cost/training/education to get that first step in, and from there she can be getting experience while working toward a higher degree/certs (she does currently have a BA, though in an unrelated field). We have a toddler and a baby that she cares for during the day, but her mom is available to help if the best place to go doesn't really have night/weekend learning.

We came across the idea of a CNA, where it's 3-6 weeks of learning and a few months of training. It sounds like a reasonable starting point to get in and eventually learn more and move up. We did some googling and it's the typical mixed reviews from various sites with every school/place being called equally good/sham at the same time - such as AMTI, which at $1100 for only a few weeks and a bit of googling is a bit much to toss out without solid information and recommendation.

I read a few threads here via search and there doesn't seem to be a lot of info regarding this, and not recently, but it does sound like there are clearly knowledgeable people high up in the field around here and in the know, so I'd definitely trust the information here regarding solid, reputable places to go get the education/cert from more than uninformed googling!

Because we have my income in software development, this isn't some "need a job quick to make a bunch of money to support everyone" thing, so there is some flexibility there.

What does she have a BA in?
Reasoning being that with a BA we have accelerated programs geared towards obtaining BSNs that don't take that long and might be better than being a BA as a CNA.

However if CNA is the goal, there are cheap options some even being free.

[LBTRS]

I'm an HR Director and work in a health care industry...I'd skip the CNA route and get her in a nursing program. Adding a job as a CNA while trying to be a mom and going to school to be able to move out of a CNA role in the future is going to be very tough.

There is no money in being a CNA and the working conditions are terrible. Have her start a RN program or if you want it in less time she can get her LPN license. Much more income potential and long term growth as a nurse.

[PhoenixSomeday]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

What does she have a BA in?
Reasoning being that with a BA we have accelerated programs geared towards obtaining BSNs that don't take that long and might be better than being a BA as a CNA.

Criminal Justice. The major-level stuff probably won't transfer/apply, but at least the run-of-the-mill GE stuff is out of the way.

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

However if CNA is the goal, there are cheap options some even being free.

Definitely not the goal, we are aiming for as low a cost of entry as possible into the field with the goal of working up to RN of some kind from there.

Originally Posted by LBTRS

I'm an HR Director and work in a health care industry...I'd skip the CNA route and get her in a nursing program. Adding a job as a CNA while trying to be a mom and going to school to be able to move out of a CNA role in the future is going to be very tough.

Originally Posted by LBTRS

There is no money in being a CNA ...

That's ok, it's a stepping stone.

Originally Posted by LBTRS

... and the working conditions are terrible.

... but that's not. We've read how in certain lower-experience and less-demand parts of the field there is a lot of corner cutting necessary just to get through the "this is not humanely acceptable" workload, so if there's no way around it, I guess we'll have to take a few years to save.

Originally Posted by LBTRS

Have her start a RN program or if you want it in less time she can get her LPN license. Much more income potential and long term growth as a nurse.

What's the cost structure like? We were fine 3 years ago, but a lot of life events strung together the last couple of years has put us in a less than ideal finanical position. We are trying to find an entry point here that's manageable without adding any more debt.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by PhoenixSomeday

Criminal Justice. The major-level stuff probably won't transfer/apply, but at least the run-of-the-mill GE stuff is out of the way.



Definitely not the goal, we are aiming for as low a cost of entry as possible into the field with the goal of working up to RN of some kind from there.

Goal was presumptuous wording I apologize for that.

Arizona State offers a 12 month program to people with BAs to become BSNs provided they take certain pre requisites. I bring it up because I know a few CNAs who would never recommend it. I know a few nurses who took this route instead and don't regret it. Many of them have BAs in Psychology or Gender Studies, took 3 or 4 pre reqs at CC and then enrolled at ASU in the same year.
ASU Accelerated Nursing Programs


Either way, the other poster hires people so their authority is greater than mine.

[DogLovinGal]

I climbed up this ladder myself.

I get what you're saying but I would not go for CNA as the first step. Go for LPN as first step. If RN is the goal, don't bother with CNA. You can get scholarships, grants, etc for a lot of the costs. Yes it's a little more from the output, but really what you get for a little more time commitment initially you just can't compare with a CNA (money AND flexibility in terms of jobs, demand, etc).

If you're still not sold on this idea, I'd also explore things like x-ray tech, phlebotomist, etc.

[PhoenixSomeday]

Originally Posted by DogLovinGal

I climbed up this ladder myself.

I get what you're saying but I would not go for CNA as the first step. Go for LPN as first step. If RN is the goal, don't bother with CNA. You can get scholarships, grants, etc for a lot of the costs. Yes it's a little more from the output, but really what you get for a little more time commitment initially you just can't compare with a CNA (money AND flexibility in terms of jobs, demand, etc).

If you're still not sold on this idea, I'd also explore things like x-ray tech, phlebotomist, etc.

Did a quick and definitely non-exhaustive search on this (LPN) and seems to be $6k-$9k for a program lasting around a year or so? Does that sound right? And what are some good schools for this? We are in the Chandler area. Definitely don't want a scammy degree-mill place and they're not always obviously spotted.

[gemstone1]

Nursing School, Earn a Nursing Degree Online or On-site | Chamberlain

Listen to the people who are telling you to skip the CNA.

Regards
Gemstone1

[SageCats]

I think that JGMotorsport's suggestion is REALLY WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT... just sayin'

[JGMotorsport64]

Here's a better link

https://nursingandhealth.asu.edu/deg...te/nursing-bsn

Postbaccalaureate
The postbaccalaureate BSN is a pathway for students who have earned a bachelor's degree. After completing prerequisites, students apply for advancement to the 12-month clinical nursing program. Students are admitted to the postbaccalaureate annually in the spring semester.