CNA or EMT while in school, CNA being a "dirty job" help please

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Hey Guys, thanks for taking the time to read this. I am feeling sick to my stomach trying decided between CNA/PCT or EMT-B. I am currently in school doing my pre-req for nursing I have a quiet a while to go and I need a job. I wanted a job in healthcare field so at first I decided to be a PCT/CNA hopefully to get a job in the hospital. A few days ago I went to a school to get info on there Nursing assistant program and the lady told me they stop offering that program because if the lack of work and it was hard to find jobs thier students. She then continued to tell me that CNA is not for me its a dirty work and she classified them has "Butt Wippers" I have heard more and more people say that CNA/PCT is not a good job,and that the nurses work and let u do everything they dont want to do but some say its a great experience. I dont want to work in any LTC because its just not for me. After our descussion she asked me if I was intrested in EMT training and she told me that I could get a job as a ER Tech in the hospital, and that there is lots of jobs and they will help place me in a job and the pay rate is good. I started to get excited but then I feel confused and now I doubt all of this I just dont know what to do and my family are getting tired of me changing my mind because its there money paying for this. Please anyone,someone I could use some help with my decision :crying2::crying2::cry::cry::bluecry1::(I feel so depress:(

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Don't listen to one person.

I love being a CNA. I also know an EMT that has been shot at on the job...

You gotta investigate and do what you think you will love, or you'll hate it...

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

NEWS FLASH to lady in the office: We're all butt-wipers...well most of us.

And let her in on this little secret, nurses wipe butts too.

Why are you putting your future into someone else's hands? Take control of it and move on. Being a CNA before becoming an RN is one of the best things a person could ever do.

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I have wiped a lot butts in my nursing career. The dirty jobs are not limited to nurse assistants. In my opinion being a CNA is a wonderful position to have while in school.

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don't listen to one person.

i love being a cna. i also know an emt that has been shot at on the job...

you gotta investigate and do what you think you will love, or you'll hate it...

and taking care of patients is what i love and want to do..thank you im gonna stick with what i really wanted to do:redbeathe :yeah:take care of people in need:scrying: (tear of joy)

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news flash to lady in the office: we're all butt-wipers...well most of us.

and let her in on this little secret, nurses wipe butts too.

why are you putting your future into someone else's hands? take control of it and move on. being a cna before becoming an rn is one of the best things a person could ever do.

and i am gonna tell her cause i am going there to do the ekg/phelebotomy program along with cna

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Specializes in Neuro, Cardiology, ICU, Med/Surg.

I'll add my consent to this sentiment. It is also a great way to get your foot in the door in an institution you'd like to work for as an RN when you're done with school. We all wipe butts. There's no shame in that. When a patient needs that most basic thing done for them, they are lucky to have a compassionate person to do it and treat them with respect while cleaning them up.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.
I have wiped a lot butts in my nursing career. The dirty jobs are not limited to nurse assistants. In my opinion being a CNA is a wonderful position to have while in school.

I could not agree with you more. I have done my share of CNA work. We all have to help the patient. The person you talked to needs to get a reality check. Being a CNA is a great way to gain experience while in nursing school. I wish I did long before I was in nursing school.

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i could not agree with you more. i have done my share of cna work. we all have to help the patient. the person you talked to needs to get a reality check. being a cna is a great way to gain experience while in nursing school. i wish i did long before i was in nursing school.

i'll add my consent to this sentiment. it is also a great way to get your foot in the door in an institution you'd like to work for as an rn when you're done with school. we all wipe butts. there's no shame in that. when a patient needs that most basic thing done for them, they are lucky to have a compassionate person to do it and treat them with respect while cleaning them up.

:yeah::yeah:thank you:yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in ICU and EMS.

I am both an EMT-B (911) and a CNA (ER Tech). Where I live, you have to be a CNA to work in any hospital setting-- including the ER. If I were you, I'd look into the requirements of your state to see what certifications you would need instead of going off of what the advisor told you. I'd hate for you to go through an intense class only to find out that you won't be able to use it.

I am also going through nursing school (1 1/2 semesters to go!!), and have to say that I have had equal learning experiences from both the EMT and CNA positions. I currently volunteer as an EMT, and work as a CNA in the ER. While both roles are similar, they have their differences as well. As an EMT in the field, I am expected to function independently under state protocols which include interpreting vital sign/assessment data, determining with some degree of confidence a working diagnosis, and developing a plan of care (priority of transport, rondevous with a higher level of care, administer a short list of medications, appropriate receiving facility, etc.). As a nursing student, I feel that I follow the nursing process more as an EMT. On the flip side, I have awesome learning experiences as a CNA as well. I work with a bunch of awesome doctors and nurses that constantly invite me in to see interesting things that I would never have otherwise seen. Yes, I do the "dirty" work-- vital signs, changing diapers, cleaning rooms, etc... but I also function as a right arm of the nurses-- doing the EKG's, starting IV's, placing foley catheters. If at any point I have a question about why the doctor ordered something, or why a certain medication is being given, I ask, and absorb the answer like a sponge.

I guess what I'm getting at is that both roles will help prepare you for nursing school, although in their own way. Remember, though, that there is "more than one way to skin a cat" (or insert a foley, or change a patient, etc...). Always be open to hearing how your school wants you to perfom a task, because that is the way that you are going to be tested!

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!!

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If you have the word "nurse" somewhere in your job description, you HAVE wiped more than just a few butts. And believe me, after you have wiped one or two, you have wiped 'em all, and it is certainly nothing to be worried about.100% of the time, they are relived and comforted when it is done, even more than you are. I am still a student nurse, but I was the first in my group to volunteer for a code brown on an adult. Get it done, do it right. Can you imagine crapping your pants in front of strangers? It must be humiliating. I can't imagine a more important function as a nurse than to relieve the suffering of a patient. Think about that the next time someone calls you a butt wiper. I for one, am damn proud of it.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Surgical-Ortho.

You might also want to look into the nursing programs in your area. Many require you to have your CNA to apply. Other will give you credit for the intro nursing class if you have your CNA. Where I work only paramedics and CNAs are hired in the ER, so you should look into the local hospitals too. Regardless you will be able to work on a rig as an EMT, and learn some valuable skills, but not much in the way of bedside care.

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