EMT-B to CNA

visiting · Aug 22, 2008

I know someone who recently became a EMT-B, so if you find out about the CNA transition, please post about it in case it would be of interest to others. I wonder if that might be in just the state where you live?

vampiregirl, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2008

I'm also curious what state you are in. There is no transition program like this available in Indiana. The CNA program requires a minimum hours of classroom and clinicals - the course I took was almost 3 weeks long. Your best bet would be to find out what agency oversees CNA certifications and either check out their website or contact them directly. In my state, it is the Dept. of Health, but it also could be the BON in a different state.

I would be surprised if an EMT to CNA transition program did exist. The scopes of practice for these certifications are entirely different. I hold both of these certifications, and yes, the knowledge I've gained from both benefits me (and my patients/ residents) when I'm in the other role. Sometimes though, it's also hard because I have to remember to only do things that are within the scope of practice for what certification I'm working under at the time (and then you add the policies and procedures for your place of employment...). I can't think of a specific occasion when this has been a problem for me working EMS, usually this situation pops up when I am working as a CNA. Granted, I work as a CNA in LTC, so in different environments (an ER?) this may not be so much an issue, especially if you find a position that required both certs.

Another item in your post that caught my attention was that you wanted to get a CNA certification so you could apply to a 2 year nursing program. Unless you want the CNA certification for your personal benefit or a school specifically required this in order to enter their program, it probably isn't something you'd need. I don't know of any schools in my area that require CNA certification for entrance into a nursing program. I would encourage you to contact the school(s) you are interested in applying to and see if this is required.

Murse901, MSN, RN · Aug 23, 2008

I highly doubt that you will be able to find a one-day transition course for EMT-B to CNA. What could you possibly learn in one day that will be retained? As an EMT-B, you are trained to look at things from a short-term perspective. Stabilize and transport. As an EMT-B, your knowledge base focuses more on medicine and trauma, and less on ADL's, prevention of pressure ulcers, monitoring for medication side effects and behavior changes, etc.

I am an EMT-IV (Tennessee) and an LPN, and I can tell you that there is virtually no crossover between the roles of EMT and CNA, with a few minor instances such as transferring a patient from one bed to another and taking vitals.

Having said that, I wonder if you wouldn't be better served in trying to find a position as an ER tech, or simply foregoing hospitals altogether and focusing on prehospital care for now, as you will learn to hone your assessment skills more as an EMT.

cidien · Aug 23, 2008

I live in north dakota. I guess my teacher is on crack, I don't know. I know she said that though. And yes the school does require CNA first for whatever reason. It's the only 2 year nursing school anywhere close to here. Considering it fills up all the nursing spots months prior to school starting you'd think they would be smart enough to expand it, or else one of the other 2 year schools could offer courses. =/

Wish I had done this first before I found out I hated the ambulance thing. I don't know why so many places do this, but ours just started. Two emt's on one truck = bad. Why they don't do one emt and one paramedic i'll probably never know. Still don't think I woulda really liked it much, but I woulda at least stayed if I could have had a paramedic partner.

Murse901, MSN, RN · Aug 23, 2008

I think it's silly to require CNA certification before entering nursing school, although a few schools here do have that requirement. Honestly, aside from getting used to patient contact, CNA school in and of itself isn't going to do jack for anyone in nursing school (not talking about seasoned CNA's here, just speaking of the training received in CNA school itself). A more appropriate requirement would be X number of months in a healthcare role.

Anyway, the following is from the North Dakota Board of Health rules and regulations regarding CNA training programs. This document can be found at http://www.legis.nd.gov/information/acdata/pdf/33-07-06.pdf

33-07-06-02. Nurse aide training.
1. Any nurse aide employed by a nursing facility or pursuing nurse aide
certification and entry on the nurse aid registry must successfully
complete a department-approved training program consisting of a
minimum of seventy-five hours and a department-approved competency
evaluation or a department-approved competency evaluation.
2. Nurse aides employed by nursing facilities pursuing nurse aid
certification must complete a minimum of sixteen hours of classroom
training in the following areas from a department-approved nurse
aide training program prior to any hands-on contact with residents or
patients. The areas are:
a. Communication and interpersonal skills;
b. Infection control;
c. Safety and emergency procedures, including the Heimlich
maneuver;
d. Promoting residents’ independence; and
e. Respecting residents’ rights.
3. The remainder of the seventy-five hour approved training and
competency evaluation program must be completed within four months
of the date of first employment in the facility as a nurse aide and must
include at least sixteen hours of supervised practical training.
4. Nurse aides may not perform tasks for which competence has not been
determined unless under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.
5. Nurses aides trained and determined proficient by the instructor to
provide specific services to residents who have not completed the
competency evaluation program shall provide these services under the
general supervision of a licensed or registered nurse.
6. The nurse aide training program must ensure that nurse aides
employed by or having an offer of employment from a nursing facility
are not charged for any portion of the nurse aide training program
including fees for textbooks or other required course materials.

Try contacting your Board of Nursing for further clarification. Even if you can't find a one-day class (which, again, would be doubtful -- but let us know if you find one), you should still be able to breeze through a 75-hour CNA program.