CNA or EMT

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 2, 2015

Hi, I have five years experience in health care and four year's patient care experience. I am thinking of moving out of the state. State is overstaturated with people going into Healthcare, budget cuts, and limited openings. I am looking to move to a state where if I finish up with nursing or physical therapy can find a job. Curious if I should go for CNA license? EMT license? Or LPN Licence?

You're kinda all over the map on this one. CNA is very different from EMT, which is very different from LPN. Most States don't license CNAs, they are certified but not licensed---and then some States do have licenses. To become a CNA you're talking about a matter of weeks to a few months; to become an LPN is anywhere from 10 months to two years. You see what you're asking?

The requirements for nursing and physical therapy, too, are quite disparate as well.

You say you have five years' experience in health care. As what?

What is it you want to DO? And what State did you have in mind to move to? Your destination might also be saturated with nurses. CNAs find work more readily, but not everyone should expect to enjoy it. Again, what is it you want to do? How much time are you willing to put in, and how much do you need to live on? How much do you have available for schooling?

You have to figure out these answers before anyone can really help you.

funtimes · Apr 2, 2015

As someone else said it depends on what you like to do. Emt school is a little longer and harder than cna school, but as an Emt you can sort of br captain of your own ship, even if your ship is a rowboat (bls ambulance), ALS is a speedboat but requires a paramedic license.

The pay sucks for cnas and emts, they are both entry level.

RunnerD1987 · Apr 5, 2015

I make $23 an hour as a Psych Tech part time. I am not certified I lost my previous Tech job due to lay offs. I am worried about not being certified in a hospital setting, losing my job again. Also as psych tech really no certification required or special requirements. Kind of all over the board with just a diploma, two year's of college experience, or a bachelor's degree some require.

I learned from the job doing how to do EKGs, Phelbotomy, Charting, ADLS, different lifting skills, BLS, and a few other skills...but none of it is certified. A lot more CNA/EMT job's in the state especially closer to local community colleges.

Having tough choice between physical therapy assistant and nursing. I want to become a nurse. However, I am kinsthetic learner figure I be better in a physical therapy assistant program. I was considering the LPN program as taking step into nursing step by step.

This may sound a bit unusual. Nursing school most schools have a February January deadline around here. Plan to start perquisites this fall. It would be another two year's until, if, get into nursing program. The LPN program is right near a local hospital. They seem to have a decent amount of openings for EMTs and PCAs. Unlike hospital working at now they hire LPNs. Figured if I came out with a EMT or CNA cert over the summer before the start of the LPN program be a smart move.

Concerned I won't succeed.