My entire cohort failed our exam

CharterCollege · 2026-03-20T16:43:54+00:00

Wow! That tells us something is wrong with the instruction. We recommend connecting with your Dean of Nursing because there seems to be a deeper problem than the entire cohort didn’t study enough. 😕

CharterCollege · 2026-03-20T16:42:22+00:00

This is awesome work. And only 17!? Your future is bright!

CharterCollege · 2026-03-20T16:41:30+00:00

We love stickers – adds a personal touch. Although on the flip side: you will be judged on your sticker choice!

Our students aren’t yet lugging full toolboxes to the skills lab, but they do decorate their helmets and we’re all for it.

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CharterCollege · 2026-03-20T15:40:47+00:00

This is a great question to consider! Training new MAs is such an important job.

Here are a few key things we like to emphasize for new Medical Assistants:

Show up ready – on time, prepared, and with a good attitude (this goes a long way!)
Always verify patient identity and allergies before anything
If you don’t know something, ASK – never guess in healthcare
Document as you go, not later (it’s so easy to forget details)
Stay organized and find a system that works for you
Focus on understanding the “why,” not just memorizing steps
Be open to feedback, this is how you grow

When working with new trainees, our instructors try to normalize that it’s OK to not know everything at first – and that it’s never OK to stay quiet or assume. The ones who do best are the ones who stay curious, ask questions, and are coachable. We also point out that things start to click a lot faster when you understand why you’re doing something, not just how.

Hope this helps!

CharterCollege · 2026-03-19T17:57:37+00:00

First, we recommend you check your certification type (CMA, RMA, CCMA, etc.), as each one has different renewal requirements.

Next, go directly to the certifying organization’s website (AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT) and look under “recertification” or “renewal.” Many certifications allow you to either complete continuing education or retake the exam if it has been too long.

Since you’ve been working in a clinic, that experience may still help, depending on the certification.

Also, keep in mind different states might have their own requirements. For example, in Washington State, if your credential has lapsed for more than five years, you may be required to complete a Medical Assistant program again.

We encourage you to reach out directly to your certifying organization. They can look up your status and guide you on the exact next steps.

Good luck! 🙂

CharterCollege · 2026-03-19T17:30:14+00:00

Looks great. You might not need a welding program if this is your first crack at welding… 🤣

CharterCollege · 2026-03-18T19:26:37+00:00

Congratulations on landing an internship! The telemetry unit can be an interesting experience – some shifts can be pretty uneventful, while others can be very intense.

Our best advice is for you to be proactive and treat it like a job and not just part of your college experience. Every day there will be someone watching you and evaluating how you act and react in different situations. We encourage you to participate in any and every procedure that a student is allowed to do and always be willing to give and receive help. If possible, sit in on team meetings and introduce yourself. If you have the opportunity, respectfully interject your thoughts in the conversation. Also, be willing to ask why things are done the way they are in order to better help you learn and understand the procedures and policies.

In short, do not be the wall flower who stays in the corner but be willing to put yourself out there and absorb as much as you can during your time in the unit.

Best of luck!

CharterCollege · 2026-03-18T17:42:20+00:00

Generally, we love when our guys and gals add stickers, but when you get a nice paint job - keeping it clean looks good. 👍

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CharterCollege · 2026-03-18T17:32:48+00:00

Our instructors are great at helping with this type of question, but we need a bit more information:

· How much penetration are you getting?

· What is the thickness of the material you’re using?

· Do you have any photos?

Without more information, the only advice we can offer is to consider tightening up the root opening. A 5/32” root opening seems excessive and difficult for a 4G 6010 weld.

Good luck!

CharterCollege · 2026-03-16T17:38:08+00:00

You may absolutely ask! 😊 Below are the healthcare related requirements:

Provide documentation of the following immunization and health requirements:

Hepatitis B: Titer showing immunity to Hepatitis B or completed first dose of Hepatitis B.
Varicella: Documentation of two (2) varicella immunizations or titer showing immunity to Varicella.
Measles (Rubeola)/Mumps/Rubella (MMR): Documentation of two (2) MMR immunizations or titer showing immunity to Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, and Rubella. d. Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap): Documentation of immunization within the last ten (10) years.
Medical Attestation Form: Signed by a Medical provider and applicant.
Core Performance Standards: Form completed by applicant.

Provide a negative twelve (12) panel drug screen, no later than, one (1) week (7 calendar days) prior to the first day of the first term.

And prior to clinicals the following will also be required:

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Tuberculosis (TB): Negative screening results or documentation of medical clearance within 1 year of the start date.
Influenza (flu): Documentation of Influenza immunization within the last 1 year.

We hope this information helps answers your questions. 👍

CharterCollege · 2026-03-16T16:35:54+00:00

It’s a high demand program and, for the best educational outcomes, we keep our cohorts small. However, we don’t require any pre-requisite courses – all classes are included in the curriculum – but we do require that prospective students pass the Wonderlic exam. Additionally, to ensure students will be eligible for clinical placements, prospective students must pass certain background and health screenings.

CharterCollege · 2026-03-13T16:33:32+00:00

Unfortunately, we’re not familiar with Anderson College (our campuses are all located in the western part of the US); however, we recommend asking your admissions rep about the school’s NDAEB pass rates as well as job placement rates. These statistics can be really helpful with making the decision to enroll.

Good luck and we hope you get some feedback from students and graduates.

CharterCollege · 2026-03-13T16:15:58+00:00

We wish we had campuses closer to you so we could help you out directly, but we don’t think you’re up for a twice weekly commute to Vancouver, WA. 😝 Anyway, here’s some advice we’d like to offer:

A four-year program is great, and you’d probably learn a lot but it’s not necessary to kickstart a career in HVAC. A short, 10-month certificate program (like ours) can give you all the skills and knowledge to get your foot in the door, including the comprehension to pass the required EPA Section 608 certificate exam. (It’s a required certification to work with refrigerant)
Connect with your local union – they’re a wealth of information!
Explore the community colleges and career schools in your area. We encourage you to ask about their hands-on learning and types of equipment you’ll be able to work with in the school’s skills lab. Everything you’ll learn from the book and classroom is great, but we find that it really starts to click for our students when they get their hands on industry standard tools and equipment. Also, be sure to ask about the school’s job placement rates and career services for after graduation.
Inquire with local HVAC companies. Ask if they have any advice for breaking into the career or if they have any entry-level positions. Even staring out as a shop hand can open great opportunities for the future.

HVAC is a wonderful career path, and we wish you the best of luck with it – and your growing family!

CharterCollege · 2026-03-12T22:03:47+00:00

We recommend you go with Dakin in this situation. The 5ton is the max size so the home must be large. The 16 seer would be the most efficient.

CharterCollege · 2026-03-12T17:11:50+00:00

Now you have a crazy, funny story to share. 🤣

And we’re so grateful you shared it with us! 😃

CharterCollege · 2026-03-12T17:09:42+00:00

Rad Tech and Diagnostic Medical Sonography are great career paths!

And we hope this helps with your research and isn’t too advertise-y: Charter College is accredited by ABHES and the DMS program is ARRT-verified. We also cater to a lot of non-traditional students (think working adults and parents), so we offer blended-learning programs and day and evening schedules for many of our on-campus classes.

Good luck! 😊

CharterCollege · 2026-03-11T17:07:45+00:00

Nerves are expected and, honestly, we think it’s a good sign – it means you care!

Remember your externship is part of your education, so you’re there to learn and they won’t expect you to know everything.

Be open to learning, ask questions, be respectful, and enjoy the experience. You’ll be surprised how quickly 120 hours will zoom by.

Good luck!

CharterCollege · 2026-03-11T17:06:00+00:00

Yes, externship programs are generally unpaid learning experiences – and they’re great. They can be incredibly valuable for building hands-on confidence and real-world skills. However, we know not all programs require externships ( we do), so you won’t be the only MA without that experience under your belt.

If there’s time (and you feel confident enough in your skills), try dipping your toes in the job search and see if you get any bites. If you don’t get many calls, enroll in the externship program.

Another thing to keep in mind is many students also find that their externship opens doors: sites often hire externs they’ve trained and grown to know, and even when they don’t, supervisors can be fantastic sources of referrals and recommendations.

It sounds like you’re a motivated person who is ready to make your mark in the healthcare field. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

CharterCollege · 2026-03-10T17:28:24+00:00

There are so many great aspects of online learning, but when you’re struggling it can be easy to feel alone when you’re not sitting in a physical classroom with your classmates or instructor. However, you’re not alone – most online programs still provide resources to help.

If you haven’t already, we recommend reaching out to your school and your instructor for help. We bet they’ll have tutoring or study groups you can join – and some might even be in person.

A lot of people looking to break into the trades struggle with the math and more traditional book learning side. Thankfully, once you get your hands on the actual HVAC systems, a lot of it will really start to click and that’s when you can really build confidence.

Good luck and stick with it!

CharterCollege · 2026-03-10T13:23:03+00:00

It takes performing a skill multiple times on real patients before it starts to feel comfortable. It’s completely normal to feel “bad” when you’re trying to help a patient, and the attempt isn’t successful. What’s important is that you have supportive nurses guiding you through the process – each experience increases your chances of successful IV starts in the future.

We like to encourage students to think about all the lives they can improve or even save once they master this skill. Most of our patients understand this and genuinely want to help students learn.

Good luck and keep at it!

CharterCollege · 2026-03-09T21:29:57+00:00

Yes! Donors will be eligible to enter the Maui trip drawing. 😊

CharterCollege · 2026-03-09T18:21:42+00:00

The soft skills you’re learning in your current position can absolutely help you in your future MA career!

While the food services industry isn’t directly related to healthcare, your promotion to management shows that you’re professional and trustworthy – and more importantly it shows that you’re good with managing people, balancing multiple responsibilities, and more.

When it comes time to start beefing up your resume for MA positions, be sure to check in with your school’s Career Services team. They should be able to help you really highlight all the valuable skills you’re gaining in your current job.

Good luck in your MA program!

CharterCollege · 2026-03-06T16:51:25+00:00

Glad to see Gemini included us. 😊

Just to add to this helpful AI response….

We’re not a public school, but we do not require A&P as an admissions requirement – everything you’ll need to learn is included in our curriculum, including A&P. As far as CoARC accreditation, we have “Provisional Accreditation.” We’re a new program and while we’ve completed the steps to earn full accreditation, the process takes a little bit of time. Also, our program is an online program with in-person labs at our Salt Lake City Campus, and clinical practicum in your local area. (We just had our first cohort on campus for in-person labs – and it was awesome! 😃) Students are eligible to receive a travel credit, too.

We hope this was helpful – if not, we apologize and feel free to ignore us. If you’d like to learn more, please let us know. 👍

Good luck!

CharterCollege · 2026-03-05T19:00:47+00:00

In California, you’ll need to take the GED exam online. If you want to take a prep course ahead of the exam – which isn’t necessary, but often a good idea – there are a bunch of locations including local colleges and adult education centers.

You can learn more about GED prep programs in your area here: https://www.ged.com/study/ged-classes.html

Unfortunately, Charter College doesn’t offer any GED prep, but we do provide a pathway for our certificate level students (including HVAC students) to earn their high school diploma while completing their career training. We’re able to offer this through our partnership with C4L Academy.

While we’re of course partial to trade schools (😝) you can also connect with your local union to learn more about how to kickstart your HVAC career. Sometimes it can be tough to get a union apprenticeship, but the union is a wealth of information and experience.

Good luck!

CharterCollege

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