Should I Pursue The CNA Class?

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I am new here, and I have read a lot of different things about CNA, whether to get it, or not, whether it helps or is a waste of time. Im signed up for the class and I'm starting my scholastic career into nursing and wanted something to get my feet wet and learn some of the trade and get some experience and maybe even rub elbows with people while I move forward with school. As far as education and training, I'm already an EMT, which I know us nothing like nursing or CNA, but I have health care experience with it. Should I pursue the CNA? It's only 6 weeks long.

Please help!! And thanks in advance!!

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Posted thus in the wrong area, sorry if you see it twice, I'm not spamming.

I'm going to start my scholastic journey into nursing this coming semester and I'm wondering of I should get my CNA to help me. I'm already an EMT (I know it's nothing like nursing or CNA, but it's at least healthcare) and I was wondering if getting my CNA and working as one while I go to nursing school would be advantages for me?

Please help! And thanks in advance!!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Yes, I would pursue it. It's only 6 weeks out of your life and you have nothing to lose, but a whole lot to gain by becoming a CNA. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Float Pool, MICU, CTICU.

Yes! With your background, you may even land a job in the ER as a tech! Seem through my previous post on why it is a smart move to get your cna too :) Good luck.

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I think CNA skills and EMT skills complement each other well. Doing both I can say if I was hiring for either position, I would definitely take someone with both skills over someone with one, assuming they werent experienced.

If you want to be an RN, being a CNA is a much better window into nursing than being an EMT. Most EMTs have no clue what being an RN is like. Paramedics might have a better understanding, but I doubt anyone goes through the trouble of Paramedic school simply to gain experience for Nursing.

Unless you can get hired in as an ER tech, I would take the CNA course, since managing multiple patients is one of the hardest things to master for CNAs and probably RNs, and is something EMTs outside of a hospital rarely get more than very brief exposure to. Just be warned, being a CNA can be really hard work, much harder than being an EMT from my experience(although as an EMT you always have the potential for those stressful runs from hell where your every action will be scrutinized and second guessed).

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