[kvack]

I am a male considering a career in nursing and have several questions:
1. Is it advantageous for me to be an EMT before I become an R.N.? What about a CNA?
2. How long does a CNA take ?
3. I plan on working in the ER with a long term goal of becoming a PA is there any way I can work in the ER before I get my RN.
4.Is it an advantage to being a male and being a nurse god knows I am in the minority out there as it stands .
Thanks in advance

[2MagnoliaTrees]

I say go for it. We need good nurses and it doesn't matter if you're male or female. Best to you.

[NurseDennie]

Hi kvack

Welcome!

First of all, I'd say that anything that gets you involved in the medical field, taking care of people is going to be advantageous to you. You might look into the EMT whilst doing pre-req's for nursing. It would be especially good if you're interested in ER work, or flight nursing or something like that. I know a LOT of RN/EMT people.

CNA is a good thing to have under your belt. Training for that takes different amounts of time different places. Excellent job to have whilst in school - you get a lot of practical information and you BEGIN to work on your time-management skills you'll need as a nurse.

As far as being a guy - I don't know. I think it's less and less of a big fat hairy deal all the time.

Good luck and welcome!

Love

Dennie

[kvack]

Thanks for the responses everybody....... Dennie what did you mean by the big fat hairy deal I don't really understand I'm not being sarcastic I just didn't understand that part.

[traumaRUs]

In our ER - you would not be much in the minority - we have lots of male nurses. You might try the tech routine - find out the qualifications to be an ER tech (in ours, you have to be EMT and then take some more classes), but it also allows you to get your feet wet, w/o the multiple-year committment.

[inSANE]

Climb aboard young man! Hell, you are a warm body and we need those! My step-son most recently said "I'm going to be a Dr., a male nurse is gay." He's going to be missed... my father is also an RN, went back at age of 54)

[teeituptom]

Howdy yall
from deep in the heat of texas

Do what you wanna do
do what ya gotta do
go where you wanna go


Just take your golf clubs

[Sleepyeyes]

Hi Kvack! Welcome aboard!
In this state and several others, you have to be a CNA to be able to get into nursing school, so that might be a good first step.
Also, do you know if you want to be in the ER? You might want to start as an ER tech, in that case.
Lots of hospitals in my area have online applications, and their hiring criteria are listed with each job.
Good Luck!!

[oh-agnurse]

In my state being a CNA is not required if you want to go into nursing school. Several hosp. in my area take new grads. to mold them in the ER and other units. My question for you is why take the nursing route if your long term plan is to be a PA. The programs and concepts are very different. I would do some more research, and do one or the other personally. However I do want to say there is a need for more male( and female) nurses, and I hope you join OUR ranks!!!!

[ERNurse752]

You could always go the nurse practitioner route, instead of PA, since you're planning on becoming a nurse anyway.
In my state, NP's have a lot more autonomy than PA's.
If you want ER, I think being an EMT will help you more, as opposed to CNA.
You can most likely get a job in an ER as just a tech, before doing CNA or EMT etc, to see if you like it first.
I know a lot of guys who are nurses...especially in areas like ER, ICU, and cath lab.
Good luck with whatever you do!