CNA Job

[TheBrahm]

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[177983]

I was wondering if having a job as a CNA at a place for handicap children might make a difference of any kind in the admission process for a BA/MD or BS/MD program.

Hey, TheBrahm. Seems like you're not having much luck with your two questions. I'll try to throw a little light on this one. I definitely don't know much about the ACT, so I can't help there.

My understanding is that all med schools want to see some clinical experience for a med school applicant. This is probably a bit harder for people just leaving high school as you've had 4 fewer years to have summer jobs, etc. So, I think having a CNA job would be a nice point on your resume as you'd be ahead of the game and have some substantial clinical hours caring for patients. So, in short, yes, it would help.

 

[TheBrahm]

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[engineeredout]

You could always consider trying to be an EMT as well.

 

[ylrebmik]

CNA is awesome because you only have to take one class and pass an exam and get your degree. I was looking at a bunch of degrees like Phleb tech, EMT, etc and they take so much longer that if I wanted to finish the degree before college I would have to wait to go to my 4-year I don't want to to do that. However, the things you get to do as a CNA... not so much as awesome....

 

[desidp12]

if u like the idea of being a CNA, do it. dont do it because you want to beef up your application. they will definitely see right through that with one question during an interview. they are interviewing for a reason...

 

[rachmoninov3]

Definately do the CNA if you can. Besides loads of experience (especially is you transfer from this first job to one in a major hospital), it's a great way to earn $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ throughout college.
You can work any shift you want, any time you want. You can even work for an agency (benefits suck, but pay is awesome) that pays you weekly.

And finally, if you can't enjoy being a CNA, what makes you think you'll be happy after the 12 years of grueling schooling required to be a doctor?

My advise as a CNA and medical student. Besides, working during breaks is a great way to get $$$$

 

[ylrebmik]

Definately do the CNA if you can. Besides loads of experience (especially is you transfer from this first job to one in a major hospital), it's a great way to earn $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ throughout college.
You can work any shift you want, any time you want. You can even work for an agency (benefits suck, but pay is awesome) that pays you weekly.

And finally, if you can't enjoy being a CNA, what makes you think you'll be happy after the 12 years of grueling schooling required to be a doctor?

My advise as a CNA and medical student. Besides, working during breaks is a great way to get $$$$

how is it being a CNA? I'm taking the class this fall and I'm nervous. I'm pretty much doing this for experience and money during college... even though I don't want to do human medical, I think it will benefit me.

 

[MaseratiGT]

how is it being a CNA? I'm taking the class this fall and I'm nervous. I'm pretty much doing this for experience and money during college... even though I don't want to do human medical, I think it will benefit me.

Being a CNA is rough work. Lots of heavy lifting and helping patients with daily activities. It's not at all glamorous. There are loads of other jobs out there that yu can take that don't have the possibility of blowing your back out as a college student. 🙄

 

[ShaneK]

I thought about taking the class to become a CNA but I know I would not enjoy it, the work is definitely rough like said earlier. Instead of that route I'm planning on taking an EMT-B course sometime next month. I know I'll be volunteering for at least a yr but it is something i actually want to do as opposed to the CNA position. So my advice is to do what interests you.

 

[kdburton]

I'd definitely do it. I didn't even take the CNA class actually because I was able to find a place that allowed for a "test-out" option where I just paid to take the written and skills test which was a piece of cake. I had a harder time getting a job at first though because I didn't have any experience and they could see that I "tested out" as opposed to taking the class, however I eventually found a job as a CNA on a transplant floor at my undergrad's hospital and it was awesome. I got to interact with everyone on the staff from the janitors up to the attending transplant surgeons on a daily basis. It was definitely a plus when I eventually interviewed for medical school as well (I even knew a lot of the docs that one of my interviewers worked with because of my exposure in the hospital). It would be a little different working as a CNA in a more outpatient type of setting or at a facility other than a hospital, but it would still be a good experience, it will probably pay the bills, and the admissions committees will like to see you did it. Also if you're working directly under nurses then you'll appreciate them a lot more when you eventually get done with med school haha

 

[AishaMousgoy]

Hi there! I've been a CNA for the past 5 months at a large hospital in Seattle. I have the best job ever. The floor I work on is called the PCU (Procedure Care Unit) and it is a VERY SPECIAL floor if you are a CNA because your job duties are vastly different from those of CNAs on other floors of the hospital, or in a nursing home.

I only help people use a bedpan a few times every shift, and only a few times have I had to whipe a butt. My bedpan adventures are 99% urine and 1% BM. This is because our patients are usually not very sick. They are only recovering from a procedure, usually a cardiac procedure such as an angiogram or stent placement. My patients are usually on bedrest for 4-6 hours, and have had nothing to eat pre-procedure, so that's where the lack of BM comes from.

Here is what you will not believe: I pull arterial sheaths, as do all the Patient Care Technicians on my floor (what we are called formally, but we are CNAs). In many hospitals, only Cath Lab techs, PAs or doctors are allowed to do this. I was very surprised to learn I'd be doing it, but I think it is an amazing experience.

So basically, instead of my back giving out, I may develop carpal tunnel syndrome, as a sheath pull involves 20 minutes of applying a LOT of manual pressure to someone's groin so he or she doesn't bleed.

I get to interact with patients, nurses, cath lab/ electrophysiology lab people/ doctors for 12 hours three times a week... and I make good money! (I consider $14.50/hr good money)

Besides being constantly scared of my patients developing hematomas, I think I am one lucky girl!!

 

[9ECHO1]

I recommend getting an EMT-B certification over CNA because,

CNA's just complete tasks for the nurses (certified nursing assistant)
which means that all you will do is:
bathe the patient, move the patient, take vital signs,etc.

depending on the laws in your state you may get to:
draw blood (not start an IV), aquire 12 lead EKG's, place foley catheter's, etc.

In my state there are 2 levels of CNA's. A CNA 2 gets to do more, but it also depends on the hospital your working in, if you even work in a hospital. If you work in a nursing home your "scope" would be very limited. However, if you work in an ED at a hospital (level 1 trauma center) you would get to do somethings that EMT-basics can't do.

With all that being said I still recommend EMT over CNA. As an EMT you will not only get to assess the patient, but you will also get to treat them. I know people will say EMT's don't get to do anything, but that not true. If you live in a poor rural community than an EMT will most likely be the highest pre hospital provider. So it depends on where you live, but also on the patients condition. For example, a cardiac arrest is for the most part an EMT-basic call. CPR+DEFIB=ROSC (pulse). The drugs and the fancy airway stuff is not what truley saves them. I being really general here, but its the truth. Perhaps the best example is trauma. It doesn't matter who is taking care of the patient (doctor,nurse, or paramedic) there is only so much you can do in the back of an ambulance for trauma. So as you see an EMT-Basic can actually do more than what most people think.

History on me:
I graduate from a 2 year (Associates) Paramedic program this summer.
Currently certified as an EMT-Intermediate, and I work for Wake County EMS, NC which is "the best place in the country for your heart to stop" according to Mens Health magazine.