EMT vs CNA

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2016

Your high school offers Paramedic, not EMT? Interesting.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2016

Considering many people have zero medical experience who become RN's (myself included) I don't think it matters. Do what you want to do because you want to do it. You could have ZERO experience as a CNA or Paramedic and make an excellent nurse. Do what works best with your schedule.

mmoorevirrey · Jun 2, 2016

Thanks for your input

mmoorevirrey · Jun 2, 2016

It is EMT. I apologize, I figured it was like the same thing. I'll change the wording. Thanks.

benegesserit · Jun 2, 2016

It is EMT. I apologize, I figured it was like the same thing. I'll change the wording. Thanks.

It's common. I don't think many people outside of healthcare know there is a difference!

The difference in level of education is similar to the difference between CNA and RN, really.

Personally, I'd go with EMT if you can handle the emergencies. EMT (especially if you move up to Intermediate level) is going to give you much more experience with skills and assessment than CNA.

But either is valuable and needed, and will give you good experience.

mmoorevirrey · Jun 2, 2016

The difference in level of education is similar to the difference between CNA and RN, really.
Personally, I'd go with EMT if you can handle the emergencies. EMT (especially if you move up to Intermediate level) is going to give you much more experience with skills and assessment than CNA.
But either is valuable and needed, and will give you good experience.

My mom said something similar so I think I'm leaning more towards EMT. Thanks for clarifying and for the advice.

MsCupcakes · Jun 4, 2016

As an EMT, I got some really amazing emergency trauma experience, as well as primary care (due to the specifications of my specific job.) However, when I did CNA clinicals, I was completely clueless. I had never made a bed, dressed a patient, or helped them perform any type of hygiene. I think that both offer a unique set of training and experience. I have also never worked as a civilian EMT so my scope of practice might have been a little different. Are you able to do both?

mmoorevirrey · Jun 4, 2016

No they run at the same time so I have to pick one or the other. Thanks for the input, it gives me a lot to think about:)

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2016

Well, CNA will have more opportunities to get hired in a hospital whereas EMTs are more limited to ER and private ambulance services for hospitals in the hospital domain. In general, I would CNA is probably better in the long run whereas I wanted to become a paramedic before I was an RN so EMT was better for me initially.

To be honest, in the long run you could probably do both. Most EMT classes are less than a semester and CNAs seem to be around 2 weeks to 3 months depending on your state rules. Where I graduated from instituted a rule so all future classes will have to have taken the CNA class before starting. I think you can find some programs for EMTs that are 1 month long.

If you're getting it free through high school, tell me what state it is and I'll tell you which one I think is better for your dollar investment. I will say it is probably EMT since around where I live CNA classes are a dime a dozen and usually cost around 200-600 dollars.

mmoorevirrey · Jun 4, 2016

Well, CNA will have more opportunities to get hired in a hospital whereas EMTs are more limited to ER and private ambulance services for hospitals in the hospital domain. In general, I would CNA is probably better in the long run whereas I wanted to become a paramedic before I was an RN so EMT was better for me initially.
To be honest, in the long run you could probably do both. Most EMT classes are less than a semester and CNAs seem to be around 2 weeks to 3 months depending on your state rules. Where I graduated from instituted a rule so all future classes will have to have taken the CNA class before starting. I think you can find some programs for EMTs that are 1 month long.
If you're getting it free through high school, tell me what state it is and I'll tell you which one I think is better for your dollar investment. I will say it is probably EMT since around where I live CNA classes are a dime a dozen and usually cost around 200-600 dollars.

I'm in Illinois, but since I'm planning on getting my BSN, with college research I've seen that you can sit for the CNA test so I'm wondering if I should take the EMT. I'm lucky to have quite a while to think on it though.