To become a CNA II or a EMT-basic??

resqbug · Dec 8, 2013

I was an EMT-B before starting nursing school and worked as a tech in the ER for a while. Some of my fellow EMTs were able to work in a "CNA" position on other floors. Some nursing programs will not give credit for EMT, but require CNA specifically to apply.

One thing I will tell you is that, had I been a CNA first, I probably would not have continued into nursing. I loved the EMT side of things, but that is apples and oranges from nursing. If you aren't 100% sure, I would suggest shadowing a nurse and you can also do a ride-along with your ambulance service to get a feel for what an EMT program will teach you.

EMT programs are usually longer than CNA courses, so that might factor into your decision as well.

OCRN3 · Dec 8, 2013

I would do CNA, I am a nursing instructor and I have 2 EMTs in my class, they are my smartest students, but their mind set is as a first responder. They are more equipped for emergency situations. I actually think they will make great ER nurses. The only problem is they do not think like nurses, they think like EMTs. I think that as a floor nurse you need a different mind set. My CNAs that are students do well with the day to day of a med surg nurse, which is the bulk of nursing school. That's just my opinion though, either way medical training is very valuable with whatever you decide.

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alx_jin · Dec 8, 2013

That is a great point that I should have a specific mind set for the two paths. I've been a CNA for almost a year but at wake tech I can "upgrade" to CNA II which has a slightly wider scope of field. I do like the ability to anticipate and understand how first responders would act as a EMT but which one of these two paths will be most beneficial Having a CNA I and CNA II or CNA I and EMT-B? I should also add that I am planning on becoming a field medic in the Navy so I do thrive in the ER and fast pace situations. But as a CNA II I may get a higher pay and better CNA job opportunities than I would if I had the CNA/EMT-B combo.

alx_jin · Dec 8, 2013

As a ER nurse which did you like better? I am best under stress and can prioritize duties very quickly. I have Driven in an ambulance and shadowed a nurse during my clinicals. I do know I want to become a RN and not as a EMT but thought getting a EMT would show diversity while on the other hand becoming a CNA II would show dedication.

TU RN, DNP, CRNA · Dec 8, 2013

Well ultimately you want to be a RN. RNs work in the hospitals alongside CNAs. EMTs don't. The exception here being flight nurses and PHRNs, of course. It depends on where you want to end up, but I'd say bedside nursing experience is the most universal and transferable kind in this field regardless of your end-game expectations. CNA will give you a more complete perspective of what most nursing actually is.

I took the EMT-B class, but never officially worked as one because I got a PCA (CNA) position. I found EMT training to be particularly useful in nursing school for getting the ball rolling on your triage and assessment skills. I knew how to take vitals and do rapid head to toe assessments before nursing school. The SAMPLE and DCAPBTLS and OPQRST stuff et cetera is all pretty applicable to nursing assessments as well.

The only thing I'd imagine EMT doesn't give you is the social skills and bedside presence a CNA job would get you. Of course you have exposure to people and I am in no way saying EMTs aren't good communicators, but in the hospital, even in the ED, an RN takes care of a patient for several hours or full 8-12hr shifts. There are different issues that occur over the course of an RN's day or night that CNAs are party to regularly, whereas EMTs have a patient for a maximum of what.. 30? 40 minutes? I also realized that those friends of mine from nursing school who didn't get CNA jobs were a bit more awkward and less confident in direct patient situations.

Do what makes you happy though, I'm sure you'll learn and grow regardless of what you decide on in the end :)