CNA vs EKG? for ICU post-grad

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As a new grad, which would stand out more on my resume to an ICU nurse manager: CNA cert/exp or EKG cert/exp?

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EKG, for sure. You'd better be independent and competent with CNA-level skills by the time you get out of nursing school.

And they'll probably give you a test as part of your application (assuming they'll even look at a new grad) (by no means a sure thing).

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Nurse manager position? By the time you have the qualifications for that type of position you will be practicing wayyy above CNA type work and probably be pretty competent in reading EKGs.

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Lol. You read incorrectly.

TO a nurse manager, not AS a nurse manager.

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I'm not really sure what you mean by "EKG cert/exp" but presuming that you're talking about some sort of tele tech, that would be a much better choice than working as a CNA.

Unless...

You could get a job as a tech/CNA in an ICU - preferably the one in which you're hoping to work.

Networking will trump any pre-professional experience.

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Ahh sorry for the short-hand writing. Yes, I was talking about being a certified EKG technician (aka telemetry monitor tech) with job experience.

I've gotten many MANY mixed reviews with most people telling me CNA is the better route, but for some reason I don't agree with them. I have a feeling that having a stern EKG background on my resume would put me ahead of the game when I'm applying for ICU extern/internships. Could you also agree with this? I mean, how many new grads (might I say will also be my competition on getting the job I want) are actually going to have this type of experience? I don't know. :/

But, yes. I also agree with you that connections are greater in value than pre-employment experience. In fact, I volunteered for 8 months in the ICU of the newest and closest hospital to my home.

I'd also like to add that I just got a job interview as a physician's scribe for that same hospital I volunteered at. I'm now contemplating if I should even do EKG or CNA.

-EDIT-

@in my

Could you give me a reason as to why you believe being an EKG tech would be a better choice? Please and thank you! :)

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