I want a pre-nursing job but I DON'T want to be a CNA. What else should I try? EMT-B?

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It's really hard to get into nursing schools around here. A few work on a points system and give extra points to those certified in other health careers. Plus, I would like to work in a health-centered job while earning my RN. I am not, however, interested in becoming a CNA. At all. I've spent the last year helping to take care of a sick relative - I know wound care, bathing, how to change an ostomy bag, etc. I'm not interested in doing that for 3 years (I am not yet in college) while I work on my RN. Even when I become a nurse, I am interested in either psych, peds or L&D.

What other jobs should I consider? I was thinking EMT-B, does anyone know if EMT jobs are easy/difficult to come by for students? Other than that, the local community colleges also offers certification for EKG, pharmacy tech or phlebotomy, all of which I'd consider.

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I would get a cert in EKG, and especially phlebotomy. Your involved but not directly. Atleast you will be paid, and get experience.

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Specializes in Obstetrics.

I'm a unit secretary on a Telemetry unit. You hear the nurses talk about what's going on and you put the orders the doctor's write into the computer and so you get a good understanding then of what's wrong with the patient and what's being done. Also, it helps you learn to read doctor hand writing lol.

I'm also pretty interested in taking a phlebotomy position, they offer 3 month on the job training and that would definitely be good experience.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Here are some ideas:

1) EKG Technician

2) X-Ray Technician

3) Mental Health Technician / Psychiatric Assistant

4) Medical Assistant

5) LPN (if you can find a 10 or 11 month program)

6) Medical Records Assistant

7) Hospital Unit Secretary

8) Massage Therapist

9) Phlebotomist

10) Patient Care Technician

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Pedi/Tele.

do you think once you become an RN you won't have to do CNA work?

:angryfire

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Specializes in ED.

If you're thinking of becoming an emt, you should consider volunteering on a local first aid squad first. That way you could gain experience and make sure that emergency work is good for you. I've been in EMS for many years and I absolutely love it, but it's definitely not for everyone!

I also worked as an emt through college and found that it was a great way to gain experience. Though the skills learned might not be that helpful in all fields of nursing, certain aspects of it (critical thinking, patient contact) are universal.

Good luck!

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Specializes in MED SURG.

I was a CNA, and an EMT-B before nursing school. As an EMT you do get alot of experience with pts, but if your going to be a nurse I do have to warn you that you will still have to make beds, wound care, get ice, change hinnies, and be vomited on sorry to say you even do that as an EMT you just have one pt at a time. Because not all ambulance runs are blood and guts, most of your runs are from nursing hm to dialysis or to wound care or Dr. appointments. Also, your first semester of clinicals are nothing but cna work, so there is noway around it.

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do you think once you become an RN you won't have to do CNA work?

No. I just don't want to be doing it while I am studying my orifice off to pass nursing school, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I am well aware of what nurses do and don't do, considering I have spent between 24-40 hours a week helping them out, unpaid, since this time last summer. I am also well aware of what I will and won't be able to handle while in nursing school umpteen hours a week, with more studying.

And, thanks for the suggestions! I think I will try for Phlebotomy first. I obviously haven't been the one to draw blood and take samples, so I should definitely learn that.

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Specializes in LTC.

I worked as a school health aide for 2 years while in school for nursing. You did need your CNA but you are working in school health.

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do you think once you become an RN you won't have to do CNA work?

:angryfire

Yeah, in the OP's defense, there is a big difference in wanting to be a nurse vs CNA. I know that nurses do CNA care, but it is not the bulk of work and no one gets into nursing because they want to do just CNA care for the rest of their lives. While I know that a lot of nursing entails the down and dirty hiney wiping, I woudn't want to do that job while in school either. That doesn't make me a less caring individual, it just means I don't want to be a CNA:chuckle.

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

If your college has an EMS club/organization, I'd definitely go the EMT-B route. Depending on how EMS is handled where you live and/or go to school, you might be able to find PRN or Part Time positions that will work around your class schedule.

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If you are hoping to get extra points on your application, then you should go by what they will expect. My school only gives points for certain jobs.

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