EMT-B course while waiting to start RN nursing program?

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Hello,

I'm trying to decide on whether I should take EMT-B course for the next 4 months, until nursing school begins in January. The only other class I have is basic pharmacology (1 credit). I've completed all the required prerequisites. I figure I should get advice from nurses who're in the field I plan to work in--Labor & Delivery. I'm a CNA, and I recently applied to a job on the Mother/Baby unit. I know I'll gain knowledge of the nursing field while working as a CNA, but I would like to learn life-saving skills, assesment skills, pt contact skills, etc. (beyond the scope of BLS). I don't plan on working as an EMT-B, other than possibly being hired as an PCT. Or I could stay registered in my Organic Chemistry class (chemistry is a terrible subject for me, so I'm worried about passing!).

Do you think this a good idea or not? All advice is appreciated!

Thank you!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

Congrats on nursing school!

Any clinical experience is good experience..but it will not guarantee you a job in L&D. This is s specialized field that is very difficult to get hired into...especially as a new grad. Contrary to popular belief...there is NO nursing shortage and hospitals are preferring the BSN grad over the ADN grad. Some areas of the country have an almost 47% unemployment rate of nurses especially new grads. I my area many new grad residencies are saying BSN grads only to apply.

I hope you get the job! That will go a long way to helping you enter this specialty.

Good Luck!!!!

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Thank you. I plan on going to nurse-midwifery school after I graduate the RN program. It's a competitive field to get into, but I'm very determined. I was in the LPN program for 1 semester, but I dropped out to start the RN program instead since LPN jobs are decreasing (the $ tuition was a major issue too.). The RN program is covered with FAFSA.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I assume you mean financial aid as FAFSA is just an application.

EMT is not particularly helpful for L&D but a CNA or pct in L&D may get you the connections you need to get your foot in the door. Especially if you have no desire to work in EMS, I would stay in organic chemistry.

The goal of EMT training is to prepare a candidate with advanced first aid skills to evaluate & triage a scene, stabilize the patient, and package a patient for transport to an appropriate facility (peds to a children's hospital , major trauma to a trauma hospital, general illness or minor injury to local hospital). There are some skills that are transferable but unlike CNA or nursing you don't get significant clinical or patient contact during EMT training. The field work is done once you work with a first aid or EMS unit.

I worked ER, the CNAs who took EMT training to get the "ER tech" title (new at the time) used very little of the EMT training (basic patient care skills were already there from working as a CNA in the ER) as a tech other than how to remove transport equipment such as backboard. & specialized splints. The pct/ER tech skills were gained from clinical education at the hospital (PCT classes didn't exist then) such as phlebotomy, ECG, splinting & cast assist, sterile technique and procedure assist. We were taught sterile by a plastic surgeon, splints from an ortho, phleb from the lab team, etcetera. Later the local schools started offering the classes so the hospital stopped on the job training.

IMHO is L&D is your goal, aim for the CNA job in l &D, stay in organic chem and earn your BSN & RN. Make a good impression while working in L&D so if a job opens post earning your RN you can transfer internally.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Don't really have more to add than what Beachy said.

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Thank you! Are hospitals no longer cross-training like before? My mother and grandmother worked at hospitals their entire career, and were cross-trained to do various tasks. Is this no longer the case? I was hoping the hospital I applied at offered additional training, but I haven't spoken about the details of the job yet.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Are you referring to nurses or support staff ? Very little for support staff in my area. Just annual competency (CPR, confidentiality, infection control etc)

.

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They were full-time nursing staff.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
They were full-time nursing staff.

Depends on the facility. With budget cuts true cross training is a rarity. Some facilities it's "float and figure it out" when sent to another unit

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I've decided after talking with the nursing program coordinator at my school and researching some, that PHB is a better choice. EMT is definitely more different than it is similar, which may confuse me more than help. Needless to say, I'm very excited to start my PHB course in a few weeks! Thank you for your help, and if you have any tips for PHB, I'm all ears!! :wideyed:

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Also, I also haven't heard from the hospital yet. It's likely they found someone with more credentials. It's okay though; I'm still in school, which is my #1 priority right now. One day :up:

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