I enjoyed my time at Kash's, but I also understand some of past reviewers frustrations. Having said…read morethat, though, I will absolutely use Kash again for any future CEUs I might need and I would HIGHLY recommend them. I will only speak for myself with this review and what I saw. I also think it would be helpful to touch on what I know now, compared to at the beginning of my courses, when I didn't really know what I was getting in to.
I started with the CNA course offerred in Sept/Oct and also took the weekend Nov HHA course. Both had an online lecture portion and in-person Clinicals. I think it goes without saying that I was with Kash for a while and in a variety of experiences, so I think I can speak to alot of different aspects. And I will also say that I JUST completed my CNA Skills Exam yesterday and passed on the first try.
Lecture: Yes, the lecture Instructor, Mr. Steven Moe, goes off on tangents during class, but he's such a sweet man. He really is there because he wants us to do well. But there are expectations with anything... showing up to class on time, no talking out of line, or students yelling. Yes, that did happen a few times on our Zooms and it was awkward. Generally speaking, if you go in with an understanding that you'll just have to jump through some hoops, then you'll be fine. You get what you want out of any experience and just find the nuggets that are medically relevant and move on.
Clinicals: I had both Ms. Linda Williams (for CNA) and Ms. Mavis Stovall (for HHA) and they were both excellent Instructors. If you are willing to put in the work and be a team player, you'll do just fine.
I did overhear some students complain that what we are doing is 'slave labor,' because we're working for free, but giving the benefit of the doubt, maybe they just haven't had experience in the medical field. As a med student, a student nurse, training to be a CNA, or HHA, anything, you name it... you HAVE to put in hours in a Clinical setting and you're not going to get paid to do that. How else will you learn? Just jump through this hoop. You CHOOSE to be there, so just make the most of it. Every minute you're there, you're learning something new that could potentially help a future patient and THAT is the most important.
WHAT I WOULD'VE DONE DIFFERENTLY, NOW THAT I'M THROUGH THE COURSE (the CNA course specifically):
Credentia website: Credentia.com is the website that you will schedule your Skills exam, once you have completed the course. And it also contains the resources and step by step instructions for all 22 skills that each State tests on. We were told to not go on to Credentia to look at anything related to the Skills during the Lecture portion of class. I wish I didn't listen. You can go on and create an account to get a look at the Handbook anytime. We generally discuss the skills in Lecture in the book, but, again, it's not specific to California. I could have been waaaay more efficient in my studying, had I just gone on to Credentia and looked at California's Handbook right off the bat. But playing devil's advocate, I can see why Mr. Moe would say to not look at the Handbook, because one might get overwhelmed. I have taken college level coursework for years, so I have had the time as a student to know what works for me. I'm sure some folks taking this course might not have been a student for long and might get overwhelmed if they look at the Handbook too early. But if you feel like you know yourself well enough, know what works for you and you study well and efficiently, you might benefit from this tidbit.
Hartman videos you will be watching: Don't get me wrong, these videos are invaluable, because we were online and we didn't have each other, or mannequins to practice on. But, this goes back to knowing that there are State specific Skills... the Hartman videos are not specific to California and I would've liked to have known that earlier on. MOST of what the videos touch on is correct for California, but I'm weird... I would've wanted to know the specific details of what California wanted to see alot sooner than we did. Hence... why I discussed the Credentia Handbook above.
Practicing the Skills themselves: You will NOT be able to practice the Skills correctly while at your Clinicals. There is simply no time for that. The CNA employee has enough to do. Get what practice in where/when you can. Just understand that you will HAVE to study outside of class, at home. Treat it like ANY other class you would take... you sit through lecture and then study at home. There seemed to be alot of unnecessary pain caused in some students, where they expected that all Skills practice would happen on the job. I just wish we had access to a mannequin, somehow, but that's just not an option and I had to be ok with that.
Overall, just go with the flow. Be on time and just rise to any expectations. If you resist/complain, this experience could be pretty challenging. I hope this helps! Good luck all!!