Posted by Michelle (152.163.201.52) on August 09, 2001 at 05:39:11:
In Reply to: Re: CNA to QMA posted by Tina on August 08, 2001 at 18:57:16:
: Hi! Indiana here also. From my experience, which is limited, a QMA will make anywhere from $1-$2 more than a CNA. Are you aware that you must also have your CNA certification for 6 months before you can enroll in the class? Our facility is planning to teach a class this fall...what part of the state are you in? Good Luck!
Hi Tina, Evansville Indiana is where I am located. I have talked to my CNA instructor (whom also teaches the QMA class)and I have also talked to the college where the class is being offered and I was told that you have to have 90 days of on the job CNA work before you can take the QMA "state exam". The class is 4 months long..it's college course for a semester so more than likely a person will have worked at least 90 days in a CNA capacity before finishing the course and taking the state exam. It was my understanding thru my instructor that some facilities or colleges may require that a person be 'certified as a cna' for at least 90 days before 'entering' the course for QMA. Maybe that is what is happening where you are? Since your facility that you work at is the one teaching it 'they' might have the 6 month requirement. You might check into that and see if a college near you offers the course. However, your facility may not put you into a QMA capacity for a certain length of time. I have heard that around here for certain places. Where a person may get their QMA but their facility has a requirement that you work for at least a year with them as a CNA first. Right now I am not working anywhere..I am taking my CNA course thru the college and then will try and find the right place for me to work. I am wanting 3rd shift so I can attend classes during the day ( I plan on getting an RN degree) There is such a variety around here...some places only pay 8 an hour for 3rd shift and others might pay 10.50 hour for 3rd shift. This ought to be a clue tho...in my CNA class there are 9 people that ONE facility hired and sent to this class (and they do that every month) That tells me that their turnover is really high. And they are the lowest paid....and judging by the way a few of these people act in class...this place will hire just about anyone. That is scarey! 2 of their people have already dropped out..one got kicked out. I think..these are the type people that could someday care for my mother?? I think not. These places need to scrutinize a little more when hiring. Let me know what part of Indiana you are in! Michelle