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Discussion

CNA verse EMT-Basic

I live in Sacramento and I am currently working on my prereq's to get into the nursing program at Sacramento City College. I have heard that it takes up to 2 years to get into the nursing program after you apply. I was thinking about either get my CNA or becoming an EMT to get experience while I finish my prereq's and wait to get into the nursing program. I am just curious as to what people think would be the best route to go.....CNA or EMT? Also has anyone heard of the Charles A. Jones Career and Education Center? They have both a CNA and a EMT program. The CNA program is only 6 weeks. At American River College they offer the CNA program but it is a full semester. The one at ARC is probably cheaper but it takes longer then at the Charles A. Jones Career and Education Center.

Any advice anyone has would be really helpful!!!!! :)

Thanks

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I had worked as an EMT-B for a year before I got into the nursing school. I think at this time this is your best bet. The other thing you may try is to become a monitor tech or a unit secretary. I would recommend to stay away from CNA job, at least at this time.

Hi! I too am in the Sacramento area and applying to RN programs. I've taken both the C.N.A. and E.M.T. training at Sierra College while I'm waiting to be accepted. I think they are both good options. The C.N.A. is nice because it's an intro to nursing (at Sierra it's a fudamentals class and we were introduced to more skills than our scope of practice that we did not perform of course, but have a better understanding of) and the E.M.T. training was very interesting and during it I realized that I would really like to be an ER tech. I am having a hard time finding a job though due to lack of experience. I'm working on call for a registry to gain experince, but have not had much work and I mainly get called in for caregiver positions. My mom has attended classes at the Charles A. Jones school and I think they have financial assistance if the costs are too high for you. A CNA course in 6 weeks is fast, but it must be the same amount of hours since that is state regulated. Either way I think it's great to further your education/knowledge in the field that you are going into. Hope this helps... good luck!

I think it would be better if you took CNA, its the fundamentals of nursing... well kind of, but when you become a nurse you will be delegating what the CNA's do. So maybe it'll help. but i gotta tell you being a CNA isn't funn. Its all dirty work. EMT is more getting into paramedics... i think in the end it doesn't really matter its all going to help if your going to be a nurse

I would say EMT, but I think it depends on your goal. IMO, as a CNA you are more suited to med/surg, Peds, and L&D. As an EMT (dealing with one patient in emergency situations) you are more suited to an ICU environment. Also most hospitals are cutting back or eliminating CNA's.

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