Pateint care tech?

If your goal is to work in acute care, this decision will be invaluable to you for so many reasons. Absolutely!

I start school on Monday for CNA my original thought was medical assisting.

Both have their advantages. Hospitals will often hire EMTs, Medical Assistants, and Patient Care Tech for entry level positions.

You cant go wrong. If your goal is to become a nurse, all of these will help you get used to acute care, give you flexibility in your schedule, (perfect for moms), AND tuition reinbursment!

Plus, good nurses will be more than happy to pass down gems that will help make becoming a nurse easier for you.

You will see and participate in procedures in a non threatening environment, (and unlike myself, as a nursing student, you won't be terrified of your patients. :-) )

There's really no need to take EKG, and phlebotomy because most hospitals will cross train you in these things. Most of the time even if you have the certifications you have to go through the hospitals course anyways from what I've seen. I just recently got a CNA job at a hospital and they are going to cross train me in EKG, Phlebotomy, inserting foleys, starting IVs and more. I was going to take phlebotomy after my CNA course, but I'm glad I didn't now.

There's really no need to take EKG, and phlebotomy because most hospitals will cross train you in these things. Most of the time even if you have the certifications you have to go through the hospitals course anyways from what I've seen. I just recently got a CNA job at a hospital and they are going to cross train me in EKG, Phlebotomy, inserting foleys, starting IVs and more. I was going to take phlebotomy after my CNA course, but I'm glad I didn't now.

Sounds like you work at one of the better hospitals. Lucky you. :-)

Thank you for this info :) maybe I will change my mind for CNA to LPN

You're welcome. Just remember that, no matter what route you take, it shouls be based off what YOU need and not others.

Try to just use other people's experience as a guide.

Don't sweat the small stuff. Pick one. You can't go wrong either way.