laurenjmc

YES! Just do it. I got my CNA first also and worked med surg while finishing up RN pre-reqs. When I realized I hated it and my heart was in ER I transferred to the trauma floor and got my EMT-B through the local community college (cheap and only 1 semester!). Luckily the hospital taught and paid for tele/ekg class. It took several months but I was eventually able to transfer to the ED. It totally depends on the hospital you work for as far as what their ED tech requirements are. Even if you only need CNA, you can't go wrong with getting your EMT. Plus, they don't teach you anything about emergency care in the CNA course and they will cover basics you need to know in the EMT class like splinting, c-spine precautions, bandaging, wound care, etc. etc... Good luck!! In my opinion it's totally worth it. The more education you have, the more competitive you are for the job you want :) Also, if you are going to stay with that hospital, it's better to be in the department you want to eventually be a nurse in.

Hi Mrs.Jones- Do you know when the application deadlines are? I talked to an admissions person and he said to go to an info meeting but I can't go until next week. It sounds like they admit students 3x per year. Also was there a minimum math requirement? Thanks for any info and congrats on your TEAS score!

Hi guys- I know this post is really old but I am just looking into Kaplan now and waiting to hear back from an admissions person. What are the requirements? I have 1 1/2 years experience as a CNA and 6 months as an EMT in the ER. I also have all my science pre-reqs done. But not done with math yet. Do they require the TEAS before you can apply? Haven't taken it yet. I really want to get into school and get it over with and I am fairly certain I'd have a job at the end of it where I work right now, so I just want to get in! (Like everyone else haha). Any info would be great. I really appreciate it. Do you like the program so far? How much does it cost? Also, can you transfer Kaplan credits if you want to get your BSN eventually? THANKS!

Anyone applied, accepted or graduated through Point Loma Nazarene's BSN program? I am applying as a transfer student and have an interview next week. I have heard great things about their program and would LOVE to hear any insider info. I read other posters say they require you to sign a "lifestyle" agreement and attend chapel and I know it's expensive...All those things have been taken into consideration already. Just looking for anyone with info on the program, how hard it was to get in, etc. THANKS!!!

Volunteer at a hospital! They usually let you chose what area and it will get you some hands-on while you wait :)

Haha this is so funny! I am in the same position as you. I have had my CNA for awhile and just recently got my EMT-B. I'm on a waitlist for RN but have been considering EMT-P... (no waitlist!). I think the main thing is consider what area you want to work in. If you are all about critical care then EMT can't hurt. I learned a lot from it. There is way more critical thinking than CNA and it gives you a wider perspective to work with. The National Registry test and skills was way harder than CNA too. I wouldn't bother with LPN if you want to work in a hospital, just go straight for your RN. Just my 2 cents, hope that helps! :)

Definitely get your EMT soon! It's pretty simple and you will get a good taste for what EMS is all about. And yeah, I am from San Diego and 90% non-emergencies sounds pretty accurate. I know Palomar College has an EMT program and there is a private EMT school out somewhere in the east country that does it in a month and half. I just got my EMT-B last semester thinking I might want to be a paramedic but have decided to forgo for nursing instead. I think the appeal of EMS is the excitement of a true emergency and being able to make a difference. The unfortunate thing I realized once I started working in an ER is that the majority of pts have a cold or need a band-aid. Not to sound pessimistic though-- you can do awesome things and save lives every now and then too :) I know a lot of paramedics that are "lifers" and absolutely love their jobs. Also, there are a lot of short, small women who can get the job done (I'm one!). Have you thought about being a paramedic/firefighter? They make a lot more $ and probably have a much lower turn-over rate (I hear it is impossible to get a job though, especially in socal bc it is such a popular career).

OMG this thread is hilarious! My fiance and I both used to work nights (he was in the ED and I was in OR) and we got a little frisky in the elevator once... We came down to L&D with a standing ovation. Totally forgot they have surveillance cameras at the nurse's station. Ooops. It happens a lot more on night shift, and it is sad when both parties are married to OTHER PEOPLE. Now that I'm on days you just see the sexual tension, not much of the actual relieving of it. The security guys must love that stuff. Ewe.

Wow! That is a lot of reading! I totally understand your freak-out. I am the same way. The biggest thing I can remember from the first few weeks was learning vital signs. Try to memorize the normal ranges for blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and temp and work on some of the basic medical terminology. It is really overwhelming at first but it gets so much easier, especially once you hear people using the terms all the time. It's a fun class and you will learn a lot. But the teacher is going to help you as will your other classmates so don't freak out on trying to learn all that BEFORE you are officially taught it! :)

Definitely get your CNA soon so you can see what it's like to actually work in the field and get experience. I would recommend trying to knock out some of your RN pre-reqs as soon as you can and going that route. Although it really depends where you want to work. If you want to be in an acute hospital setting I would say don't even bother with the LVN. I work as a CNA on a surgical floor and the LVNs only make $1-2 more than me! I got into an LVN program this semester but decided not to go- I initially thought it would be a faster track to an RN but most schools in CA have made a requirement that you work as an LVN for 6months to a year before the step-up program *which ends up making it take even longer! So instead I am furiously putting my name on every ADN wait list I qualify for. But on the otherhand, if you want to go slow or your grades aren't that great, LVN might be your better option--and then you can always bridge to the RN after.

I've worked at a few different hospitals and usually the CNAs are helping with direct patient care- bed baths, emptying foleys, charting I&Os, making beds, and assisting the RNs or MDs with various tasks. I've never heard of a "Nurse Tech" but we have had patient techs or tech partners. They are usually running things to the lab, transporting pts, helping with transfers or just being an extra set of hands. The main difference- on the floor anyways- has been that the CNAs have assigned pts and the techs are basically assigned to the entire unit. I have worked both positions and they have pros and cons. The CNAs made more money with the exception of the ER where they only hired techs and paid them more (they had to have EMT certs). Hope that helps! I'm in Southern California too so obviously it might be different where you are.

I just applied to the BSN program starting this fall 2010. I am coming from Santa Barbara, CA. I would really appreciate any info from students there or anyone considering going too! It seems like a bit of an adventure but the waitlists here are so ridiculous and I would prefer to get away from California but stay coastal :) Plus at this point I just want to get it done! Any firsthand info would be awesome. Thanks!

I am applying to the USVI nursing program... is anyone in it or have completed it? I was just wondering what the program is like, what it's like living there, the professors, etc. Any info would be greatly appreciated!! I live in southern california and the 5 waitlists I am currently on range from 2-5 years. No joke. So going to UVI is very tempting!!! Also, I am already 26 and would really like to not still be working as an ER tech at 30...Thanks for any input :)