Stuck between two courses/jobs

chivon101 · Oct 28, 2015

EMT is definitely better the ERs I've worked in either usually have only EMTs and medics, or majority EMTs or medics. Where I currently work we have no CNAs and all of our medics and EMTs still work in the field

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Oct 28, 2015

Being a CNA would give you more actual nursing and patient care experience than being an EMT. I was a CNA in a nursing home for a little under a year and am now working as a tech in the emergency department. I am also on the track to starting my nursing program next Fall :) I highly recommend being a CNA

fcp4life · Oct 28, 2015

Being a CNA would give you more actual nursing and patient care experience than being an EMT. I was a CNA in a nursing home for a little under a year and am now working as a tech in the emergency department. I am also on the track to starting my nursing program next Fall :) I highly recommend being a CNA

Thanks for the information, I have just heard some bad stories from Nursing Homes and wanted to do more but I guess we all have to start somewhere, and I just looked into ER Techs in hospitals near me almost all say CNA required and CPR so I will probably do the CNA and maybe paramedic during the summer.

Fumanchuesday · Oct 28, 2015

I would look at the hospitals that you would be applying to and see what they are hiring for these types of positions that you seek. I did not have any kind of advising when I was in your situation and I had no idea what my options were. I took a CNA course and got a job as a CNA on a med surg unit. At the time, I didnt know the difference between ICU, tele, medsurg, etc.

I also found out that the hospital I was working for, hired nursing assistants with or without being certified, so basically I wasted my money on the course. This position was more cleaning up poop and passing out food trays than anything else. If that is what you want, more power to you.

If I could go back, I would have tried to get a nursing assistant/ tech type job in an ER or ICU. Also if EMT-B or CNA was a requirement, I would have chosen EMT-B. While it is not taught via the nursing model, you learn skills that will be useful as a nurse. It is never to early to get a feel for critical situations. You also have the option of working on an ambulance or in the ER (depending on what your potential employees require). Personally, I need a little excitement every once in a while in my work place. I dont mind cleaning poop and bathing pts, but it gets old when thats what I'm spending the majority of my day doing.

I am an ICU nurse now and I LOVE it!

Cliff notes: Do what it takes to get an ICU or ER tech job.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Oct 28, 2015

Thanks for the information, I have just heard some bad stories from Nursing Homes and wanted to do more but I guess we all have to start somewhere, and I just looked into ER Techs in hospitals near me almost all say CNA required and CPR so I will probably do the CNA and maybe paramedic during the summer.

Yes!!! Make sure you look into your nursing home options before you apply. I worked at the nursing home that provided my CNA class and training and it being a very small town, it actually was a very good nursing home (in bad shape now however, due to extremely short staffing). When I moved back to my hometown, before I applied to nursing homes and hospital jobs I looked up the best places to work as well as reviews. I only applied for the best nursing homes in my city which are in the suburban areas as opposed to the inner city.

I will be honest and say that nursing home CNA work is tough and not the most desirable position but once you get that experience essentially, you won't have to ever do it again :) I am glad I did it and am now working at the busiest emergency department in my area, in an area where I learn something new on a daily basis. Good luck!!