CNA VS EMT

WYOTACO · Sep 27, 2012

I am either thinking of becoming a CNA or getting my EMT basic certification before becoming a registered nurse, but I am not sure on which one I want. I have read and done research on both, and am leaning a little more towards CNA because I will be using the similar skills as an RN. What would be the better route to take?

I would refer to this thread

https://allnurses.com/cna-ma-nursing/cna-to-rn-769379.html

I had initially tried getting into an EMT program and go that route while I worked toward an RN but I somehow ended up in the CNA program instead (long story). Glad I did, because I think you get a much better feel for what to expect in this field, not to mention the reasons provided in the thread in the link above.

I can't speak for other schools but I know at ours, CNA training is a prerequisite to the RN program anyway.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Sep 27, 2012

If you're going to go into nursing generally, go CNA. You'll learn lots of basic, foundational skills that will only help you early on in RN school. If you're planning to go into transport nursing, you should go EMT. Why? The environment in transport is very different than anywhere else, and if you're already tuned into the sights, sounds, smells, vibrations, safety concerns, etc. of that environment, you'll transition to that role much faster.

In either case, you'll have some difficulty learning the "critical thinking" stuff as a nurse, when you transition from those other roles, but that's not any different from anyone starting from scratch. In any event, the choice is yours. CNA or EMT. Both are entry-level, both lack lots of knowledge, and both do very different jobs in very different circumstances. If you're going to go RN, I'd say to stay away from Paramedic School. It'll just slow you down in your quest to become an RN.

funtimes · Sep 28, 2012

If all you ever did was go to school to be a CNA or EMT, and never worked as either one, then Id call it a toss up, maybe even give the edge to EMT, as you do learn some skills that you might not learn or spend much time on in Nursing school. You may even get to go on some interesting patient transfers as an EMT student where you get to observe and assist Paramedics taking care of critically ill patients, which is something you WONT get to do working as an EMT because youll be the one driving the ambulance.

However if you plan on actually working as either, being a CNA would be far more valuable. As a CNA you will be doing many of the exact same things youll be doing as an RN, and you will be observing RNs perform the skills you will be learning in nursing school on real patients on an every day basis. Working as an EMT wont be particularly beneficial because your primary job is to help get a patient onto a cot and into an ambulance while keeping them alive and without further aggravating any injuries, then driving the ambulance, none of which has anything to do with what RNs do.

The patient assessments you perform as an EMT will differ significantly from ones an RN does, and that, along with the interventions you do and protocols you operate under, might actually result in habits you will have to unlearn as an RN.

musicistheforce · Sep 28, 2012

I went the EMT route and loved it. We learned patient assessments, splinting, lifting techniques, and bandaging to name a few things. In my program our EMTs did some clinicals in the ER, which I highly suggest. I did the exact same things as CNAs did being an EMT, with your EMT cert you can work as a tech in the ER, CNAs work in the rest of the hospital, and the program lengths are about the same. I guess it would depend on what you wanna do, er nurse go for EMT, any other specialty go for your CNA.

During my class, I did a lot of things that I thought I would never do...like CPR on a person for the first time, helping to push meds, learning different airway tools to use. I learned to be more assertive and to not question myself. I also learned how to comfort patients, and to be a patient advocate. EMT was really awesome for me, so I hope what you choose helps you.

funtimes · Sep 29, 2012

musicistheforce

I did the exact same things as CNAs did being an EMT, with your EMT cert you can work as a tech in the ER, CNAs work in the rest of the hospital, and the program lengths are about the same.

Are you a CNA or done any clinicals as a nursing student? Or for that matter worked as an EMT? Being an EMT is NOTHING like being a CNA. You sound like someone who just got out of EMT school and is basing your comments on EMT clinicals. EMT clinicals arent anything like being a CNA. How often did you work with a hoyer lift or EZ stand as an EMT student? How many bed baths did you give, or occupied beds did you make? We had an EMT student where I work who was up on the floor doing a clinical rotation in the ICU who had no clue how to gown up for isolation precautions, had no idea how to DC a foley(he didnt even know what a foley was), was totally clueless just helping to clean up an incontinent patient(the new bedding was almost as full of crap as the one he just changed), and he went missing when one of the CNAs jokingly asked him to give one of the patients an MOM enema.

Im not trying to be rude, but if you are an RN student youll find that EMT school is nothing like working as a Nurse or CNA. Im just saying this to worn you as you may have gotten a false impression. Thats not to say you wont like Nursing, but I think being a CNA gives someone a much more realistic understanding of the job. I know, Ive done both jobs for a few years.

musicistheforce · Sep 29, 2012

funtimes-

I realized after reading what I first posted it made no sense and I apologize. I am basing my information on my experiences in the emergency room where the EMTs and CNAs did the same thing. I.E. assesments, vitals, bandaging, splinting...I did help put a foley in once. I guess I wrote this when I hadn't slept for two days due to school and tests.

funtimes · Sep 29, 2012

Musicistheforce

Sounds like you had a really good ED clinical experience as an EMT, which is great. It helps to have good precepters. Some EMT students see ED clinicals as boring and pretty much just try to get through them while signing up for every ambulance clinical they can. Thats great you took it seriously.

My ED clinicals werent really very valuable because the ED didnt have ER techs and the RNs were too busy and stressed to show us much or let us do much. I did have a really good clinical experience with an RT who let me give neb treatments and let me listen to lots of different lung sounds, as well as schooling me in setting up 12 leads and showing some basic rythym abnormalities. It helped that he was a former paramedic who knew what was important for me to see and do.

Good luck in nursing school

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Sep 30, 2012

In my area, CNAs who want to work in the ER have to be EMTs (they might also have to have the CNA cert). I am a CNA but wish I could get a job in the ER! As a CNA, I've had more jobs in SNFs than in acute settings.

Compassion_x · Oct 3, 2012

I'd recommend CNA if you want to be an RN. Although EMT might be valuable if you're wanting to be an ER nurse.

thats so awesome · Oct 3, 2012

I'd recommend CNA if you want to be an RN. Although EMT might be valuable if you're wanting to be an ER nurse.

I agree.

Both are valuable experiences, being a CNA opens up doors to working in various departments though.