As some of you may or may not be aware of, I have been teaching this program for almost a year for another organization. I have really learned alot in that time and continue to learn something new with each class. There has been some students who have taught me some things and I really appreciate their willingness to share. One of the most interesting things I have observed in each and every class, is that there is always one student who is quite, one who is very talkitive, one who out shines the rest, one who needs extra attention and patients, ones who try very hard and some who just don't want to be there. As an instructor, you get to watch the various personalities emerge and develope. And in the same aspect, you get to witness some who eventually show that caring for others is not their forte. One of the most interesting lessons I have learned is to ( as the Bible says) "be still" and watch how things play out. For example; attendence for each class is extremely important, because it is almost impossible to make up any time missed. Considering the course is only 15 class room days and 2 clinical days, time is very limited. Also considering the total hours for this course is 75 hours, and if you miss one day (4.5 hours) that is 6% of the material. I don't know of any employer that would tolerate a 6% absenteeism. To compare; when I attended college for my nursing degree, the first two years was as a half time student. The only day I ever missed in those two years was the day my dad died. And even on that day, I went to class to explain to the instructor in person. Then for the remaining three years as a full time student, I only missed 1 day, and that was while maintaining a 12 credit hour load per semister and working semi-full time (min. 24 hrs/wk) and attending every summer semister. Don't get the wrong impression, I'm not bragging or complaining, I am only explaining what was expected of us as students of a profession with long standing traditions and expectations of behaviors. Which brings me to my closing thought. I realize that the health care field is not only one of the fastest growing fields but probably one of the fastest changing fields. And it seems more difficult to find people with desirable traits (good attendence) that makes them a good canidate for working in the health care field. Another example of the traits employers and I look for in a student is their ability to obey the simple rule of, "No cell phone use during class." Yet, out of 10 students, there will be 3 or 4 who are so addicted to texting, they can not leave their cell phone alone for 90 minutes. And when a prospective employer calls me for a reference on a student, I do not hesitate in sharing that info with them. Employers are not paying their STNA's to take calls, text or surf the net. And, I have yet to see that requirement in any job description. It's not that employers expect too much, it's that patients deserve your best all the time.
So, that's all I got for now.
E-mail or Tweet me and tell me what your feelings are on this subject.
S.T.N.A.(State Tested Nursing Assistant)training provider. In cooperation with Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent, Ohio, we offer excellent individualized training in the classroom and clinical setting.
Actual Student Testimonials
ACTUAL TESTIMONIALS: When asked: "Would you recommend this program to a friend?" Stephanie answered, "Yes" "Martin is a terrific STNA Instructor!" Allison answered, "Yes" "I had a fun class."
Other comments were, "Program was great."
And when asked: "What did you enjoy most about the program?" "Learning how to become a caring STNA." and "Having any and all questions answered." were my favorites.
Other comments were, "Program was great."
And when asked: "What did you enjoy most about the program?" "Learning how to become a caring STNA." and "Having any and all questions answered." were my favorites.
Is this for me ???
Just a little something to think about...
I believe, one should make some very thoughtful considerations before enrolling in any kind of adult education program. If you are looking to get into any aspect of the health care field, would it not be wise to check out the market and find out just how big the demand is for what you are looking to get training for? Why would one waste their time, effort and money getting training for something few employers would hire? My suggestion is to pick up the phone and call a few prospective employers. Speak to the human resources person. Tell them what you are looking to get training for and ask how many positions they have open for that job. Do they require experience? Tell them the name of your school and ask if they know its' reputation. Maybe they know of a less expensive school that has the training employers look for.
If you take the time to ask questions and listen, you may just save yourself some money and time.
I believe, one should make some very thoughtful considerations before enrolling in any kind of adult education program. If you are looking to get into any aspect of the health care field, would it not be wise to check out the market and find out just how big the demand is for what you are looking to get training for? Why would one waste their time, effort and money getting training for something few employers would hire? My suggestion is to pick up the phone and call a few prospective employers. Speak to the human resources person. Tell them what you are looking to get training for and ask how many positions they have open for that job. Do they require experience? Tell them the name of your school and ask if they know its' reputation. Maybe they know of a less expensive school that has the training employers look for.
If you take the time to ask questions and listen, you may just save yourself some money and time.