CNA Exam for a NREMT-B

[ParaStorm]

Hello all,

I have recently obtained my firefighter certification and while completing my clinicals for my NREMT-B, I worked 24 hours in the local ED. I went over to pediatrics to work with an ex paramedic and he suggested that I go to nursing school instead of paramedic. With his 15 years of paramedic experience, I took his advice.

My question is this. I need to have a CNA I to be able to apply to the ASN program.

How difficult is the CNA for someone that has not had the class but has completed the NREMT course and exam?

Thanks in advance!

[SteffersRN87, BSN, RN]

I am from Pennsylvania so my answer may not apply to your situation, but...

I completed and EMT-B course and received state certification in high school. While completing my liberal arts and science courses at a community college, I took a nurse aide training course that led to CNA certification. Now, I never actually worked as an EMT (I used to have aspirations of becoming a flight nurse). In nurse aide training you are taught basic nursing skills such as bathing, making beds, assisting with feeding and toileting, taking vital signs, intake and output, etc. On my state exam, I had to demonstrate foley catheter care, how to take a BP, how to wash your hands, how to turn and reposition a patient on their side, and how to weigh a patient.

Now in PA, you have to either complete a nurse aide training program or the first clinical nursing course in order to sit for the exam. So I would suggest looking into what you state requires as far as educational requirements for the program. And, keep in mind that there is a great difference in the skills of an EMT-B and a CNA.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

there are a few similar skills - vitals are vitals whether you take them in the back of an ambulance or in a hospital bed - but for the most part there are a lot of differences. CNAs don't need to know about applying hare traction or how to apply c-spine precautions.

On the other hand, your experiences as an emt may be helpful in the sense that you already have a basic understanding of some core concepts of anatomy and certain disease processes. Just be sure that you allwo yourself to think outside of the box. I was a firefighter and a nurse long before i decided to challenge the EMT-B course and was quite surprised by the functions i never had to perform as a bedside nurse.

Typically the classes for CNA are relatively short - my advice is to take your friend's advice and go for it.

[ParaStorm]

Thanks to you both for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it!

Do you know where I could find a place that lists all the skills I need to study? I found a nice playlist on the popular video website, but wanted to see a list that covers each skill. I have found one on the net from searching, but not positive that all skills are listed.

Thanks again!

-C

[ParaStorm]

Hi Steffers & Flare!

So I've finished my CNA and I am now awaiting the answer for my admission to the ADN. I am 99% sure I will get it since I have plenty of points.

Just a little update since many people don't seem to give updates and they are always nice for the ones that take time to answer our silly questions!

Hope you both are well!

[northernguy]

Just keep in mind that being a CNA is nothing like being an EMT, the training and jobs are a lot different. If the Nursing school requires you be a CNA, they probably want to know that you know how to perform CNA skills without having to spend much classroom time on it, so if you never took a CNA class or worked as a CNA prior to your Nursing school clinicals and training, you might be at a disadvantage.

Im not saying its a real big deal, just something to think about. CNA skills arent exactly rocket science, and I assume you passed a skills test if you got your CNA, but I see Nursing students all the time where I work. They have to do total care on their patients and some of them will struggle and waste a lot of time on the CNA stuff, which only helps them fall behind on everything else.