CNA or Multi-skilled Medical Tech??

tfleuter, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2009

I guess it depends on what your ultimate goal is. What degree are you seeking? Are you wanting to finish your bach in biology, or are you trying to transition over to a ADN or BSN? Either way, I can't see the sense in spending 22 weeks in a technician program when you could be using that time doing classes that will go towards you degree (I'm assuming this tech classes won't transfer towards anything you'll need in the other degrees) Plus, if money is tight, you don't want to waste any of it on unnecessary courses.

Shante1985 · Feb 7, 2009

I guess it depends on what your ultimate goal is. What degree are you seeking? Are you wanting to finish your bach in biology, or are you trying to transition over to a ADN or BSN? Either way, I can't see the sense in spending 22 weeks in a technician program when you could be using that time doing classes that will go towards you degree (I'm assuming this tech classes won't transfer towards anything you'll need in the other degrees) Plus, if money is tight, you don't want to waste any of it on unnecessary courses.

Thank you so much for replying I really appreciate it. My ultimate goal is medical school, I'm not sure which specialty but I'm really into cardio. I want to finish my bachelors in biology and then go into med school after that. I was thinking about just waiting to do the MSMT classes so that I'd have a better chance at getting a job at a hospital but I can start applying at hospitals after 6 months of experience as a CNA. So I agree, it would make more sense to just do the CNA course asap and then finally be able to start school in August. Thanks again. :redbeathe

yousoldtheworld · Feb 10, 2009

For your needs and goals, a Med Tech might be a good option, BUT being a CNA certainly wouldn't hurt. It'd take less time and money (probably). Based solely on timing, I'd probably do the CNA class and get that experience in as soon as possible. :)

Shante1985 · Feb 10, 2009

For your needs and goals, a Med Tech might be a good option, BUT being a CNA certainly wouldn't hurt. It'd take less time and money (probably). Based solely on timing, I'd probably do the CNA class and get that experience in as soon as possible. :)

Thanks. That's what I was thinking too. But I've thought it over and since the hospital is where I really want to work I figure the MSMT course is the best option. Besides both courses at both community colleges won't be starting again until June. And the Community College of Baltimore County requires you to take their medical terminology class and cpr courses BEFORE you can even register to take their CNA course. It's their way of making extra money and it's just not worth it to me because it would prolong the process, especially if I can learn all of that in the MSMT course.

So my plan is to just be patient :crying2: and take the MSMT course. It starts June 2 and runs until the end of August so I'll still be able to go back to school in August/September. Plus I know some nursing homes and assisted living communities will hire you without the certification and give you a certain amount of time to get it. So I could always start looking for a CNA job once the course starts and get some experience that way too. Does that sound like a good idea or do they take advantage of people without certifications?

yousoldtheworld · Feb 10, 2009

None around here hire people who aren't yet certified unless you've already taken the class and are just waiting for the test. I know it does happen in other areas, though. From what I've heard, generally you will make a little less money until you get certified, but you shouldn't be treated differently otherwise.

tfleuter, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2009

I was thinking about your situation more and trying to decide what I would do in your shoes. As you already know, if your real dream is to become a doctor, then you have quite a few years and thousands upon thousands of dollars in schooling to tackle. You said yourself that you are impatient and feel like you are not getting any younger (which by the way 23/24 is still plenty young enough to choose just about any career you want!!) so you really need to map out your future here for the next 8 - 10 years. Med school just won't happen, you gotta make it happen!

I assume, according to your info, that you still have approx 2 more years for your undergrad, plus 4 more years of med school. After that, you will spend (I'm guessing) 3 or 4 years of intership/residency, so you still have at least 9-10 more years before you are actually into your career. For you, the soonest you'll be finished is about 34 years old. Longer if you choose a specialty that requires more school, ect.

Now 34 is by no means too late be starting as a physican (not bad at all actually) but if you keep putting off med school to pursue classes that will not contribute towards your main goal, you could be easily 13 - 15+ years away from living your dream! You are also taking away funds or building up debt by pursing these other courses and that could keep you even further away from going to med school.

If your deliema is whether you want to practice medicine or pursue nursing/technican/cna careers, then it make sense to check out these other schools. But if you KNOW that you really want to become a doctor, then these other options are just keeping you that much farther away from reaching that goal. If you want experience in a hospital setting, check your local hospitals and see if they need any volunteers in the ER. A guy I know does this every other weeked because he too would like to go to med school. He loves it and it's really helped him decide on what he wanted to do.

Anyways, sorry for this being so long! I was just going through all that pros and cons in my head and this is the conclusion I came to for myself. It may or may not help you in your decisions, but I thought I would post it anyway. No matter what, as long as you are pursuing something you love, it's definately worth your time and energy! Good luck in whatever you choose!!! :up:

Shante1985 · Feb 11, 2009

I was thinking about your situation more and trying to decide what I would do in your shoes. As you already know, if your real dream is to become a doctor, then you have quite a few years and thousands upon thousands of dollars in schooling to tackle. You said yourself that you are impatient and feel like you are not getting any younger (which by the way 23/24 is still plenty young enough to choose just about any career you want!!) so you really need to map out your future here for the next 8 - 10 years. Med school just won't happen, you gotta make it happen!
I assume, according to your info, that you still have approx 2 more years for your undergrad, plus 4 more years of med school. After that, you will spend (I'm guessing) 3 or 4 years of intership/residency, so you still have at least 9-10 more years before you are actually into your career. For you, the soonest you'll be finished is about 34 years old. Longer if you choose a specialty that requires more school, ect.
Now 34 is by no means too late be starting as a physican (not bad at all actually) but if you keep putting off med school to pursue classes that will not contribute towards your main goal, you could be easily 13 - 15+ years away from living your dream! You are also taking away funds or building up debt by pursing these other courses and that could keep you even further away from going to med school.
If your deliema is whether you want to practice medicine or pursue nursing/technican/cna careers, then it make sense to check out these other schools. But if you KNOW that you really want to become a doctor, then these other options are just keeping you that much farther away from reaching that goal. If you want experience in a hospital setting, check your local hospitals and see if they need any volunteers in the ER. A guy I know does this every other weeked because he too would like to go to med school. He loves it and it's really helped him decide on what he wanted to do.
Anyways, sorry for this being so long! I was just going through all that pros and cons in my head and this is the conclusion I came to for myself. It may or may not help you in your decisions, but I thought I would post it anyway. No matter what, as long as you are pursuing something you love, it's definately worth your time and energy! Good luck in whatever you choose!!!

Thank you for your advice. Since HS I've known that I want to become a doctor. And I figured that I'd probably be in my early 30s once I finally finished with medical school and that is pretty young I guess. The only reason I'm going for the MSMT course is because I think it'd be the perfect job to have while I'm still in undergrad and I'm still getting some experience in a hospital setting. If I do it that way then I'm killing two birds with one stone. I have bills and a car payment and volunteering at a hospital just won't cut it eventhough I know it looks good on those med school apps. I've worked as an administrative asst. for years and tried to do school at the same time and it never worked for me because the hours were always during the day and I need to go to school during the day. Also, this course is free of charge for me, (The only thing I have to pay for are my uniform(s), watch, and stethescope I believe) so that's another reason I've decided to just wait and take this course.

So now the only thing I have to do is wait for June to get here. :cry: Take the course and start working in September hopefully and then finally go back to school in January. Thanks again for all of the replies and advice. I really appreciate it.

BuddahNature · Feb 17, 2009

Let's not mix apple and oranges here,present goals with future goals. Let's focus on immediate needs,and take your personality into consideration. Well,if you are impatient than take that CNA course. However,I feel the Multi Skilled Technician course will serve you better in the long run. yes,it is longer but you learn more skills,and your employment outlook is better,along with your starting salary. With a CNA, your only option may likely be in a nursing home. Multi Skilled Technicians are more employable by hospitals. You will make more money,have better benefits,and be in an enviornment of many other medical professionals,which is a much more supportive enviornment if you seek to become an MD yourself. You will also have a lot of learning oppurtunities,unavailable in a LTC facility,or a nursing home.Your age is not a factor here. Even with taking extra time by not taking the CNA course,you will still be young at thirty something, years of age,when you become an MD. then make it up by doing summer school, CLEP exams,and accelerated courses. Many options open to you. i think taking the fast route to CNa will rob you of many valuable experiences, and oppurtunities to network. Not to mention a better tuition reimbursement package. Give up something now,and gain more in the end.

Shante1985 · Feb 17, 2009

Let's not mix apple and oranges here,present goals with future goals. Let's focus on immediate needs,and take your personality into consideration. Well,if you are impatient than take that CNA course. However,I feel the Multi Skilled Technician course will serve you better in the long run. yes,it is longer but you learn more skills,and your employment outlook is better,along with your starting salary. With a CNA, your only option may likely be in a nursing home. Multi Skilled Technicians are more employable by hospitals. You will make more money,have better benefits,and be in an enviornment of many other medical professionals,which is a much more supportive enviornment if you seek to become an MD yourself. You will also have a lot of learning oppurtunities,unavailable in a LTC facility,or a nursing home.Your age is not a factor here. Even with taking extra time by not taking the CNA course,you will still be young at thirty something, years of age,when you become an MD. then make it up by doing summer school, CLEP exams,and accelerated courses. Many options open to you. i think taking the fast route to CNa will rob you of many valuable experiences, and oppurtunities to network. Not to mention a better tuition reimbursement package. Give up something now,and gain more in the end.

Thank you so much for your reply. ITA 100% with everything you've said. That is why I decided to just wait to take the MSMT course. I went to meet with the administrative asst. to the program and she told me that they have a class starting in March and it will go until the beginning of July. I was sooo happy!! So now I don't have to wait until June to start the course. YAY!!

BuddahNature · Feb 17, 2009

Glad to hear everything is falling into place for you.Best to you in everything you strive for,future MD Shante.

smitty987321 · Jan 22, 2010

lol its so funny that i found this post because we r literaly having the same problem. ill tell u wat i am doing and maybe it will help u. btw i alsoo go to essex but for nursing, im finishing my bio up now and will be apllying to the rn program in the fall. as far ass doing the cna program in ccbc or bccc or redcross i say no way!!!! it takes to long and cost to much. there is a cna acadamy of stemmers run rd and it takes only 6 weeks!!! then u can work in a hospital. if u work a hopkens or franlen squar they will pay for u to get your tech cert. well ther u go, i hope this helps. and im not doing spell check because im tired. lol cya on campus :)