This year had already started off rocky, and having just moved to the area, I was behind on a lot…read moreof tasks. In the middle of job hunting, it occurred to me that my CPR certification (required for job) was lapsing. I called CPR Solutions, and spoke to a very helpful Claudia, who informed me she had a small class the next day. She warned it might be a bit crowded by said if I didn't mind a small space I was welcome to come. I was so glad I did! She gave an excellent class. Her teaching was very thorough, and she backed up her instruction with rationale that made understanding (and remembering) the information easy. She kept all the class engaged with the material and stopped often to make sure we were all comfortable with what we were learning. I would recommend CPR Solutions to anyone looking to take CPR classes, whether for for personal self-improvement or as a requirement for a job.

From the owner: Teaching CPR, First Aid and Blood Borne Pathogensread more

It is very easy to give blood at a American Red Cross Blood Donation Center. This one is in the…read moreback on the American Red Cross Raleigh Offices and Training Center. I have given the most at this location. You have to drive up and down a steep hill to get there. There is always plenty of parking. You are always welcomed by a friendly volunteer at the entrance. The staff is always nice, the process is quick and painless--and blood is always needed.

If I could give 0 stars I would. Very unprofessional and unwilling to help. Because I wasn't "on…read morethe roster" I was unable to go into the classroom, despite having an email confirmation for training on this day, including payment and certificate of online completion. I'll drive 4 hours to a different place before coming back here.

When I first signed up for the phlebotomy program at Shades of Purple, I was genuinely excited to…read morestart my journey in healthcare. Unfortunately, my experience was far from what was promised. From the beginning, there were major inconsistencies. Online, the program was advertised as a virtual class--which heavily influenced my decision to enroll. However, once I began, I learned that the class was not virtual at all. In fact, I was required to attend in-person every Saturday in scrubs. That was the first of several misleading details. The program was also said to last 7 weeks, but in reality, it stretched closer to 10-12 weeks. I began in March and was supposed to finish by the end of June. Throughout that time, the structure of the class was disorganized. Homework expectations were unclear, and uploading assignments to the website was a challenge due to poor communication and lack of oversight. We rarely completed a full chapter in class, and the instructor seemed unsure of how to effectively teach the material. The environment wasn't welcoming, either. The owner appeared constantly rushed and often had a negative attitude. The instructor wasn't much better--frequently sidetracked, hard to follow, and unapproachable for help. Despite putting in $700 toward the $1,500 program cost, I was told I would need to retake the course after missing just two classes (we were only allowed to miss three total). When I asked about options, I was told the next Saturday session wouldn't start for a while. I chose not to continue, especially since they couldn't accommodate my schedule and I felt misled from the start. Most concerning is that students are not given enough practice for certification. I know someone who completed the program and only received 10 venipuncture sticks--far below the required 30 for certification. That, to me, highlights the real issue: this program feels more like a money grab than a legitimate educational opportunity. There are far better, more affordable phlebotomy programs out there that offer structure, support, and proper hands-on experience. This would have been my second attempt at certification, but now I'll be enrolling in a third program--armed with clearer expectations and a better understanding of what a quality training program looks like. If you're considering Shades of Purple (now under a different name), I strongly recommend doing your research and looking into other options first. You deserve better.

Round 2... So this is my second time obtaining my American Heart Association BLS (CPR) class from…read moreShades of Purple. I was surprised to see that this medical training facility is in a much larger office space and it's NICE. Mekeisha Bradley did a great job facilitating the CPR training program. The training facility was clean and comfortable. Quality equipment and materials were used. There were about 8 students in the class from various professional backgrounds. If you're looking for a place to obtain your CPR training. This is it! I went to their website to check class availability. There are plenty of weekday and weekend classes as well as daytime and evening hours. They also provide training for Dental Assisting, Phlebotomy, Certified Nursing Assisting, and more. Large private parking lot. Plenty of spaces.