EMT-B or CNA

[BenUstudent]

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Hi everyone,

I have volunteered over the past year in a E.R. and I love it😍.
I want to become a PCT in the E.R. my two options are to take a EMT-B course or a CNA course (I will be taking a phelbotomy course either way)over the summer.
So I would really appreciate some feedback

btw, does anyone know as a EMT-B could you work as a PCT in the Ortho or Renal unit, or only in the E.R.(as a backup plan ya know ortho needs males for heavy lifting)?

 

[Mackey]

Both will get you where you need to be I assume.

Only one lets you play with the siren


Weee-o-weee-o-weeeeeeeeeee!!!

*Honkkk*

 

[kellycaitlin]

I'm a CNA in the float pool, and I would MUCH rather be an EMT. I'm not sure how Adcoms look at either, maybe someone else can answer that. But personally, I think you'd have a lot more variety of cases as an EMT than a PCT.

 

[apumic]

Adcoms could care less about your certs (as a general rule). What you do w them is what matters. That having been said, I've heard many a CNA say they wish they'd taken their EMT-B but never heard the opposite (EMT wishing to be a CNA). We also had a few CNAs in my EMT-B class. EMT-B is usually a longer course but probably more desirable in many cases and definitely more interesting!

 

[ahowardmd]

I don't have much experience with CNAs, but I acquired my EMT-B cert as a premed and it has come in handy. I haven't used it to work in a hospital (though I could if I wanted to...versatile), but I've worked on an ambulance service. It was fun, and if I hadn't gotten into medical school, I would have a fun job to fall back on for a year.

 

[Disinence2]

I'd Vote EMT

 

[Morsetlis]

If you have a guaranteed job - take the EMT-B. It teaches you A LOT MORE and lets you do A LOT MORE than a CNA.

However, if you don't have a guaranteed job, the CNA will let you into a lot more jobs than an EMT-B.

Either way you'd need to take additional ECG/Phlebotomy classes to be considered for a hospital.

 

[morning]

If you have a guaranteed job - take the EMT-B. It teaches you A LOT MORE and lets you do A LOT MORE than a CNA.

However, if you don't have a guaranteed job, the CNA will let you into a lot more jobs than an EMT-B.

Either way you'd need to take additional ECG/Phlebotomy classes to be considered for a hospital.

I agree with all this, with the caveat that no matter which you choose you should have plenty of volunteer opportunities.

 

[Morsetlis]

Unless you're in California then no matter what degrees/certs you have, your volunteering experience will be limited to fetching blankets and cleaning beds.

 

[rHinO1]

Unless you're in California then no matter what degrees/certs you have, your volunteering experience will be limited to fetching blankets and cleaning beds.

Actually from what I've noticed CA will let you do less in general than other states. No scribes, no volunteer ambulance jobs, no blood draws by ER techs, and they will hardly let you touch a patient without some kind of cert.

 

[PowerButton]

Actually from what I've noticed CA will let you do less in general than other states. No scribes, no volunteer ambulance jobs, no blood draws by ER techs, and they will hardly let you touch a patient without some kind of cert.

Everything is true except for the part about scribes. There are plenty of places who use ER scribes (the company I'm part of actually originated there). If you can be a scribe, do it - it's way better than any EMT or CNA job you can get as a premed, because you work very closely with the docs and get to see so much more of medical decision making, how they think, and learn about their lifestyles. It's a way more valuable experience in my opinion.

 

[rHinO1]

Everything is true except for the part about scribes. There are plenty of places who use ER scribes (the company I'm part of actually originated there). If you can be a scribe, do it - it's way better than any EMT or CNA job you can get as a premed, because you work very closely with the docs and get to see so much more of medical decision making, how they think, and learn about their lifestyles. It's a way more valuable experience in my opinion.

Thanks for correcting me, I am actually not to up on scribes b/c my hospital doesn't use any. My understanding is that CA requires scribes to be certified where other states allow on the job training. That is what I should have said. Please correct me if I'm wrong, like I said I'm not too savvy on Scribe jobs.

 

[PowerButton]

Thanks for correcting me, I am actually not to up on scribes b/c my hospital doesn't use any. My understanding is that CA requires scribes to be certified where other states allow on the job training. That is what I should have said. Please correct me if I'm wrong, like I said I'm not too savvy on Scribe jobs.

Nope, no certification needed. Company provides all the training. 😀

Edit: That being said, I work for a private contractor and not a "homegrown" scribe program (meaning the hospital or physicians set it up on their own). Could be different for them in some ways but there is no certification that I know of.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

If you have a guaranteed job - take the EMT-B. It teaches you A LOT MORE and lets you do A LOT MORE than a CNA.

However, if you don't have a guaranteed job, the CNA will let you into a lot more jobs than an EMT-B.

Either way you'd need to take additional ECG/Phlebotomy classes to be considered for a hospital.

This is good advice for most regions. There are few paid jobs, at least in my region, for an EMT. There seem to be a lot more jobs around for a CNA. This is less true in rural areas, but I believe it is the case in most metropolitan areas. I am an EMT-B and have not found any paid work (I do use it to volunteer with the Red Cross). I have considered getting a CNA cert just to be able to get a paid position at a hospital.

 

[FirefighterDoc]

EMT all the way. I use it both for a fire dept and in the ER of a hospital. I definitely feel the experience has been invaluable to me. Im glad you enjoyed it in the ER, it is great.

 

[4X4MD]

I hear alot of classmates debating this topic, but I HONESTLY think that you could spend your time better volunteering/keeping your grades up. Even during the summer, I think there are better things you could be doing. Getting a cert is not cheap, and you really can get alot of patient interaction just volunteering in a hospital where I'm from. Sure, you can't really DO much, but be honest with yourself when you think about what you are learning as, say, an EMT. You won't impress anyone, and the job certainly does not resemble that of a physician. I guess it is just a way to keep ourselves interested in medicine?

I would say that you serve yourself better shadowing a physician than putting yourself through the process. If money is an issue, become a waiter. If you want to learn some bed-side manner, I'd dare you to find a better job to do so.

 

[BenUstudent]

Thanks Everyone for Responding!

Yeah, In my area I talked to a couple of friends who got there EMT-B and The job market out here is pretty saturated for EMT-positions.
I wanted to add these comments:
Also for clarification I'm talking about taking the EMT-B course Or CNA course to become a E.R. Tech

I think I will have a upper hand getting in the hospital I volunteer at since 1) need Males 2) been volunteering close to a year (and on good terms) 3) three PCT's in the E.R. will be leaving by the end of the summer (when I'm done with the courses, so perfect timing).

and to 4X4MD, funny you mention it but currently I am a part-time server currently, and I will actually be taking a pay cut but at least it is something I will like doing

 

[CaptainJack]

Both are good experiences and one isn't going to be materially better than the other in the eyes of an adcom. As mentioned above, CNA gives you more versatility in the job market, and, at the hospitals I worked in, CNAs could work the ED but EMTs couldn't work the floor or the ICUs. I'm sure that varies a lot depending on where you are, though.

 

[fishsticks2629]

I got certified as a EMT-B (along with about 95% of pre-meds) but opted to get my CNA cert and work in the hospital. Turns out it was a good choice. I get to see alot of medicine take place and have made friends with alot of residents and med students, thus gaining valuable insight. The nurses know I am going to med school and some of them let me do things that I am not suppose to do (start IVs and Foleys). The primary thing is being able to witness diagnoses and the subsequent care plans of patients. Being an EMT one doesn't get to see the actual cause of the symptoms but rather merely makes the patients comfortable as they transport them to get a proper diagnosis. Plus most of us are going to work in hopsitals for residencies and its good to get a general feel for hospitals before entering med school.

 

[oaklandguy]

I enjoyed my EMT class, but haven't found a job yet. Most hospitals want more than just a Basic and none of the EMS companies are hiring in my area. Make sure that EMT-B is enough at the hospital you want to work at, but other than that I say go for it. CNA's do mainly dirty work while ER techs get to draw blood and start EKG's. Both jobs have their fair share of dirty work, but ER tech is higher up on the food chain and pays pretty well.

 

[jvesco22]

Broski,

There comes a time in your life when you gotta ask yourself.

"Do I want to Save Lives or Wipe Asses?"

YOU DECIDE in 2010!!!

 

[oaklandguy]

Broski,

There comes a time in your life when you gotta ask yourself.

"Do I want to Save Lives or Wipe Asses?"

YOU DECIDE in 2010!!!

We need the wipers though in the medical field as well. We don't want to be wiping those butts when we're doctors. Just sayin'.

 

[essaywhuman]

I hear alot of classmates debating this topic, but I HONESTLY think that you could spend your time better volunteering/keeping your grades up. Even during the summer, I think there are better things you could be doing. Getting a cert is not cheap, and you really can get alot of patient interaction just volunteering in a hospital where I'm from. Sure, you can't really DO much, but be honest with yourself when you think about what you are learning as, say, an EMT. You won't impress anyone, and the job certainly does not resemble that of a physician. I guess it is just a way to keep ourselves interested in medicine?

I would say that you serve yourself better shadowing a physician than putting yourself through the process. If money is an issue, become a waiter. If you want to learn some bed-side manner, I'd dare you to find a better job to do so.

I'm obviously no doctor yet, but I would say there are some definite parallels in the job of an EMT and an MD. Working as an EMTI for a rural EMS agency, we manage critical pts for up to two and a half hours, or, if they are really critical we manage them for about 45 minutes while heading to meet the helicopter. You A) Interact with real sick people, B) Make real, tough, life or death decisions, C) Experience a lot of legal responsibility, D) Become familiar with all sorts of drugs and procedures, E) Learn to work as part of a team, D) See how other people live very up close and personal, and E) Have an ass-load of fun!

I'm biased for sure, but I wouldn't trade any of my EMT experiences for CNA work. The EMT courses focus on (very very basic) pathophys, (very very basic) procedures, and critical thinking skills in critical medical situations. The assessment you learn is essentially the same initial assessment the ER docs use. And that's from the mouth of an ER doc. Scribing and shadowing could possibly be more educational and will certainly put you with a doc more, but you won't be in the driver's seat for a split second.

Realistically finding work with all these qualities as a basic will be tough, but it can be done. Check out your surrounding area.

How is waitering going to help you interact with the sick? Interact with the general public maybe, but there's a little more to it with the ill.

 

[4X4MD]

I'm obviously no doctor yet, but I would say there are some definite parallels in the job of an EMT and an MD. Working as an EMTI for a rural EMS agency, we manage critical pts for up to two and a half hours, or, if they are really critical we manage them for about 45 minutes while heading to meet the helicopter. You A) Interact with real sick people, B) Make real, tough, life or death decisions, C) Experience a lot of legal responsibility, D) Become familiar with all sorts of drugs and procedures, E) Learn to work as part of a team, D) See how other people live very up close and personal, and E) Have an ass-load of fun!

I'm biased for sure, but I wouldn't trade any of my EMT experiences for CNA work. The EMT courses focus on (very very basic) pathophys, (very very basic) procedures, and critical thinking skills in critical medical situations. The assessment you learn is essentially the same initial assessment the ER docs use. And that's from the mouth of an ER doc. Scribing and shadowing could possibly be more educational and will certainly put you with a doc more, but you won't be in the driver's seat for a split second.

Realistically finding work with all these qualities as a basic will be tough, but it can be done. Check out your surrounding area.

How is waitering going to help you interact with the sick? Interact with the general public maybe, but there's a little more to it with the ill.

come on...dont call it waitering!!!! the politically correct term is serving...(how depressing...)

lets go with waiting tables

now, unless you have done this before, then you can't really understand it
but you get some of the most pissed off people for no reason and you just have to learn to deal with it...it gives you the mannerisms to deal with people when they are determined to find a flaw

my job as a volunteer at the hospital is mainly to interact with patients and their families and make their stay at the hospital more comfortable and to relay anything practical they need to the nursing staff...i can tell you that my experience as a waiter has definitely made me more fit to deal with any type of person, be they ill or not. Many people are unwilling or uncooperative, and it takes a person skilled in communication to be able to create the best situation for them...all that being said, im sure i will learn a COMPLETELY different way of communicating during med school, but the extroverted personality i have been able to develop with complete strangers certainly allows me to take this bull by the horns more easily. and it has also helped with my interview skills👍

many people (especially book-wormish pre-meds) don't develop the necessary skills it takes to deal with the general population, much less the ill.

 

[FirefighterDoc]

One thing i might add about being an EMT is that i believe you get way more experience out in the field as opposed to being in a hospital.
Example 1
Pt. codes in the ER:

The Every nurse from our section goes over (4)
Charge nurse goes over (1)
Our doc goes over, possibly one of the other two (1-2)
PCT's go over (1-3)

Thats 7-10 people there helping and it could get pretty crowded. I can try and do my best to do the things I can ( prep suction for untibation, connect pt to pacer, get BVM ready and what not) but obviously the nurses with more training will be able to do more (not to mention they jump on compressions pretty quick)so at sometime there will be nothing for me to do and i will just be in the way.

Example 2
We recieve a call at the FD of possible code out in the field:
Ambulance crew EMT and Medic (2)
Engine crew (2-3)

Thats 4-5 people. A lot more chance to be able to do a lot more ( e.g. chest compressions and what not) I mean eventually I will have to get up front to drive ( unless someone from the engine come with to drive) but i still feel a lot more useful.

On nights or really busy times, ( or on not so critical calls) It is just you and the Medic, so you do even more while theyre collecting pt history and what not.


Overall in my opinion as an EMT youll get a lot more experience on your own doing different things while CNA you might see a lot of pt's while doing the same thing.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

Also for clarification I'm talking about taking the EMT-B course Or CNA course to become a E.R. Tech

This is what I assumed. I would talk to someone at the hospital you are interested in. Many of them essentially retrain you as an ER Tech. They may be able to tell you what would be more desirable in a new hire. It would seem like a waste of valuable time and money to pick one without getting some insight from the hospital you will be applying to.

 

[essaywhuman]

come on...dont call it waitering!!!! the politically correct term is serving...(how depressing...)

lets go with waiting tables

now, unless you have done this before, then you can't really understand it
but you get some of the most pissed off people for no reason and you just have to learn to deal with it...it gives you the mannerisms to deal with people when they are determined to find a flaw

my job as a volunteer at the hospital is mainly to interact with patients and their families and make their stay at the hospital more comfortable and to relay anything practical they need to the nursing staff...i can tell you that my experience as a waiter has definitely made me more fit to deal with any type of person, be they ill or not. Many people are unwilling or uncooperative, and it takes a person skilled in communication to be able to create the best situation for them...all that being said, im sure i will learn a COMPLETELY different way of communicating during med school, but the extroverted personality i have been able to develop with complete strangers certainly allows me to take this bull by the horns more easily. and it has also helped with my interview skills👍

many people (especially book-wormish pre-meds) don't develop the necessary skills it takes to deal with the general population, much less the ill.

I agree that it will help with your social skills to be a "server." 👍 That being said , however, there is no way being a server is going to compare to the experience gained being an EMT. You still deal with pissed off ingrates as an EMT, but under higher stress situations where your decisions have a much bigger import.

I guess I just didn't like how you seemed to suggest EMT contained nothing valuable and you might as well just be a server, because it would be more applicable (which is a lie).

 

[Morsetlis]

I got certified as a EMT-B (along with about 95% of pre-meds) but opted to get my CNA cert and work in the hospital. Turns out it was a good choice. I get to see alot of medicine take place and have made friends with alot of residents and med students, thus gaining valuable insight. The nurses know I am going to med school and some of them let me do things that I am not suppose to do (start IVs and Foleys). The primary thing is being able to witness diagnoses and the subsequent care plans of patients. Being an EMT one doesn't get to see the actual cause of the symptoms but rather merely makes the patients comfortable as they transport them to get a proper diagnosis. Plus most of us are going to work in hopsitals for residencies and its good to get a general feel for hospitals before entering med school.

*stones you to death*

 

[Morsetlis]

Overall in my opinion as an EMT youll get a lot more experience on your own doing different things while CNA you might see a lot of pt's while doing the same thing.

Like I said it depends on whether you'll find a job.

 

[millee3]

I have my EMT-B but I got a job as PCA (aide) in the hospital. I'm on the float team and get to see a lot of the hospital including ER and Behavior health. It's a solid job. So if hospitals in your area allow EMT-B's to apply for CNA jobs, id get your EMT-B for more flexibility.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

The profession of EMS (thus EMTs) is not in the habit of wiping butts while CNAs are. I've been an EMT for nine years now, and I've never wiped one.

We don't have PCTs around here, but, from the title, that would likely involve some wiping so you might as well go CNA. It's shorter and easier.

 

[Morsetlis]

I bet it's easier to find an EMS job in Arkansas than CA/NY/IL though.

 

[FirefighterDoc]

The profession of EMS (thus EMTs) is not in the habit of wiping butts while CNAs are. I've been an EMT for nine years now, and I've never wiped one.

We don't have PCTs around here, but, from the title, that would likely involve some wiping so you might as well go CNA. It's shorter and easier.

Couldnt agree with this statement more. I have never done any butt wiping in an ambulance. Granted i may have done it a handfull of times in the ER ( actually i can count them all on one hand), i would still never want to be a CNA on a floor because they are doing it all the time. Thats why i love being a tech in the ER, Our job is to either get them up and admitted or get them out and treated. Theres not enough time to have their butts get dirty. Plus you get to see a lot of interesting things.

 

[FirefighterDoc]

I bet it's easier to find an EMS job in Arkansas than CA/NY/IL though.

I can tell you from experience that its not too difficult getting an EMT job in Il. While i was finishing my fire certifications i easily got a job at a private ambulance company and i know i could have had my pick. It just worked out that i got the fire job almost immediately after that.

It can be done in IL though fyi

 

[Squeal]

I bet it's easier to find an EMS job in Arkansas than CA/NY/IL though.

It seems to be fairly easy, and in my area CNA's aren't ER Techs, only EMT's are. There are actually two CNA's in my EMT class for that very reason.

 

[Morsetlis]

How delightfully backward from my dear state of California 😀

 

[ArkansasRanger]

I've never seen ER techs as described on this message board, and I've been in a lot of hospitals. I've run across clerks who did a few extra things like chest compressions, putting rubber bands around vaccutainers, etc.

I became an EMT and then went to paramedic school at night while I was in college working on my B.S. in something else. It was a lot of credits - like 30 in on semester. Anyway, I was recruited when I got out. As for EMTs...well, in the area I lived and worked in there were A LOT of chemical plants and refineries thus A LOT of EMTs who worked assorted jobs in the plants but were also members of their respective emergency response teams. Then there was a fad for all the vollie firemen to become (or try to become) EMTs so we had a lot of them back home. Alas, I had to let my paramedic cert. lapse, but to get it back, if I want it, I just have to retest. No biggie really.

 

[apumic]

I've never seen ER techs as described on this message board, and I've been in a lot of hospitals. I've run across clerks who did a few extra things like chest compressions, putting rubber bands around vaccutainers, etc.

I became an EMT and then went to paramedic school at night while I was in college working on my B.S. in something else. It was a lot of credits - like 30 in on semester. Anyway, I was recruited when I got out. As for EMTs...well, in the area I lived and worked in there were A LOT of chemical plants and refineries thus A LOT of EMTs who worked assorted jobs in the plants but were also members of their respective emergency response teams. Then there was a fad for all the vollie firemen to become (or try to become) EMTs so we had a lot of them back home. Alas, I had to let my paramedic cert. lapse, but to get it back, if I want it, I just have to retest. No biggie really.

EMT-B courses (which is what the OP is talking about) are generally around 8-10 semester credit hours (including clinicals) -- nowhere near 30. The EMT-B's scope of practice varies by state. Here, at our hospital that requires EMT-B (w/ IV & preferably EKG modules) for ER Tech, ER Techs spend much of their time checking on pts, performing minor "procedures" (e.g., foleys, removing sutures, starting IVs, hooking up EKGs), watching pt monitors in the nurses' station, etc. The free clinic I currently volunteer for is actually releasing a manual for nonprofits (esp. churches and other religious organizations) to use in starting free clinics to serve their communities. The manual gives EMT-Bs and CNAs identical job descriptions. To some degree that tells me that for many people administering a clinic, the CNA and EMT-B are essentially equivalent certifications. The fine details really come down to the state in which you reside/are licensed.

 

[chman]

This has probably already been said, but it is best to check around in your geographical area to see which one has better hiring opportunities for what you want to do. Some areas prefer CNA's while others prefer EMT's. I personally would rather do EMT-B but it is all a matter of preference and how easily you can get hired.

 

[hector219]

One thing i might add about being an EMT is that i believe you get way more experience out in the field as opposed to being in a hospital.
Example 1
Pt. codes in the ER:

The Every nurse from our section goes over (4)
Charge nurse goes over (1)
Our doc goes over, possibly one of the other two (1-2)
PCT's go over (1-3)

Thats 7-10 people there helping and it could get pretty crowded. I can try and do my best to do the things I can ( prep suction for untibation, connect pt to pacer, get BVM ready and what not) but obviously the nurses with more training will be able to do more (not to mention they jump on compressions pretty quick)so at sometime there will be nothing for me to do and i will just be in the way.

Example 2
We recieve a call at the FD of possible code out in the field:
Ambulance crew EMT and Medic (2)
Engine crew (2-3)

Thats 4-5 people. A lot more chance to be able to do a lot more ( e.g. chest compressions and what not) I mean eventually I will have to get up front to drive ( unless someone from the engine come with to drive) but i still feel a lot more useful.

On nights or really busy times, ( or on not so critical calls) It is just you and the Medic, so you do even more while theyre collecting pt history and what not.


Overall in my opinion as an EMT youll get a lot more experience on your own doing different things while CNA you might see a lot of pt's while doing the same thing.

True, but, in the hospital you get to take part in it being done correctly. A future doctor is better served in the hospital, even if being in the field is a more interesting and immediately gratifying job.

All of the advice in this thread is very specific to the particular setting. A summary:

CNA vs EMT-B makes very little difference to an ADCOM (do they even know the difference? maybe someone could craft a creative PS around this theme)

EMT-B provides more in depth education and better job opportunities in the long run.

 

[Morsetlis]

CNA -> LVN -> ADN = oodles of $$$.

EMT -> Paramedic = $18/hour.

Then again you can just spend 1-2 years to convert your BS in Biology to a BSN so whatever.

I wouldn't say that Paramedic is a particularly lucrative career, but it certainly is very fun and exciting.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

EMT-B courses (which is what the OP is talking about) are generally around 8-10 semester credit hours (including clinicals) -- nowhere near 30. The EMT-B's scope of practice varies by state. Here, at our hospital that requires EMT-B (w/ IV & preferably EKG modules) for ER Tech, ER Techs spend much of their time checking on pts, performing minor "procedures" (e.g., foleys, removing sutures, starting IVs, hooking up EKGs), watching pt monitors in the nurses' station, etc. The free clinic I currently volunteer for is actually releasing a manual for nonprofits (esp. churches and other religious organizations) to use in starting free clinics to serve their communities. The manual gives EMT-Bs and CNAs identical job descriptions. To some degree that tells me that for many people administering a clinic, the CNA and EMT-B are essentially equivalent certifications. The fine details really come down to the state in which you reside/are licensed.

Watch it. I knew the OP was talking about an EMT class which is why I commented about work as an EMT since I am one. Thanks.

Indeed I took 30 semester credits while simultaneously enrolled in paramedic school and university working towards a separate B.S. degree. I finished both programs in December 2003.

I finished my EMT-B program, which was 5 credit hours, in the spring of 2001. I took it as a separate night course as well while pursuing other things.

Around here CNAs are a dime a dozen. They're all needed at nursing homes, and no where else other than perhaps home health, simply to move patients around, hold them down, clean them, take a few vitals, etc. EMTs are not employed in hospitals unless they're with a hospital based ambulance service in which case they are sometimes expected to help out where needed in the emergency department, etc.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

CNA -> LVN -> ADN = oodles of $$$.

EMT -> Paramedic = $18/hour.

Then again you can just spend 1-2 years to convert your BS in Biology to a BSN so whatever.

I wouldn't say that Paramedic is a particularly lucrative career, but it certainly is very fun and exciting.

It's not a lucrative profession for a variety of reasons. For me, it's always been supplemental income so the $10 / hour rate wasn't bad. However, as a full-time living I certainly wouldn't entertain the idea of doing it.

Keep in mind, paramedic work isn't solely medical in nature, and I only type this for interested readers who may not know. There's a lot of simple, mind-numbing transport where you provide no medical intervention. There's a lot of rescue type work which involves many dangerous envrionments and extremes. It all depends on the type of agency you're with, but I've worked for two private, non-fire agencies where that required crawling around in the mud, under the docks beside rivers, in a variety of wrecked vehicles, etc. With the latter agency, I concealed a handgun on me due to the area I worked in.

 

[Morsetlis]

Wait, that doesn't sound fun?

Maybe I just like to get dirty.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

Wait, that doesn't sound fun?

Maybe I just like to get dirty.

It is fun. 😀 I'm guessing that some of the nerdy types on here wouldn't think it is, or others may think it's beneath them.

 

[Handinhand]

I'm obviously no doctor yet, but I would say there are some definite parallels in the job of an EMT and an MD. Working as an EMTI for a rural EMS agency, we manage critical pts for up to two and a half hours, or, if they are really critical we manage them for about 45 minutes while heading to meet the helicopter. You A) Interact with real sick people, B) Make real, tough, life or death decisions, C) Experience a lot of legal responsibility, D) Become familiar with all sorts of drugs and procedures, E) Learn to work as part of a team, D) See how other people live very up close and personal, and E) Have an ass-load of fun!

I'm biased for sure, but I wouldn't trade any of my EMT experiences for CNA work. The EMT courses focus on (very very basic) pathophys, (very very basic) procedures, and critical thinking skills in critical medical situations. The assessment you learn is essentially the same initial assessment the ER docs use. And that's from the mouth of an ER doc. Scribing and shadowing could possibly be more educational and will certainly put you with a doc more, but you won't be in the driver's seat for a split second.

Agree with this 110%.

 

[morning]

CNA -> LVN -> ADN = oodles of $$$.

EMT -> Paramedic = $18/hour.

Then again you can just spend 1-2 years to convert your BS in Biology to a BSN so whatever.

I wouldn't say that Paramedic is a particularly lucrative career, but it certainly is very fun and exciting.

You forgot that nursing sucks! I've done home health care and while wound care is REALLY cool, everything else is as fun as poking your eyes out with a sharp stick. I can't imagine working in a nursing home and taking care of 10 patients at a time. That is a LOT of bodily fluids, and I'm not talking blood or pus.

And being a paramedic isn't always the best, although the hours you spend in the building waiting to get called is probably good prep for residency.

 

[Morsetlis]

You forget that nursing pays about 2.5 times as much as paramedics, and 3 to 3.5 times as much when you become a CRNA. You're also much likelier to be EMPLOYED in the first place.

But we're not discussing careers here... just activities for pre-meds.

 

[apumic]

Watch it. I knew the OP was talking about an EMT class which is why I commented about work as an EMT since I am one. Thanks.

Indeed I took 30 semester credits while simultaneously enrolled in paramedic school and university working towards a separate B.S. degree. I finished both programs in December 2003.

I finished my EMT-B program, which was 5 credit hours, in the spring of 2001. I took it as a separate night course as well while pursuing other things.

Around here CNAs are a dime a dozen. They're all needed at nursing homes, and no where else other than perhaps home health, simply to move patients around, hold them down, clean them, take a few vitals, etc. EMTs are not employed in hospitals unless they're with a hospital based ambulance service in which case they are sometimes expected to help out where needed in the emergency department, etc.

Dude, chill a bit, please. That's cool you are an EMT. So am I. Nice to meet you. Anyway, EMT-B courses are generally not 30 units. I mentioned that b/c you went on about yours being "like 30 units in one semester." I figured you probably did a combined EMT-B/EMT-P associates program (or similar). Most premeds don't need an EMT-P (or even EMT-I) to get good, solid and decently-paid clinical experience (and EMT-B is more than sufficient). I was clearing that up for the OP (and anyone else who might read this thread in search of answers about doing an EMT-B as a premed) so as not to give the impression to the OP that s/he would be taking a 30-unit load in training to become an EMT-B. (I would not suggest that to anyone. It may be "doable" for some, but a full-load as a UG plus EMT-B courses would likely be risky to your GPA and not really worth the semester you might save in doing it that way.) You don't need to get all butt-hurt over this. My post was more clarification than anything else.

As for work in the hospital, both EMT-Bs and CNAs are employed in hospitals by hospitals all the time (and not just in the ED). Maybe this does not occur in your area, but you made a pretty darn sweeping statement. Last I recall, over 50% of EMT-Bs were not working in the capacity of an ambulance-based EMT-B position. Many have their EMT-B for work in other situations (e.g., camp/recreational healthcare director/manager, lifeguard manager, school nurse, ER Tech, Critical Care Tech, Mental Health Tech, event/site medical staff, etc.). CNAs are employed even moreso by hospitals. Whereas EMT-Bs are often limited to just a few units that need that level of care, CNAs are used at many hospitals in just about every unit. Granted, both CNA and EMT-B positions are quite saturated in many (if not most) job markets, but the fact that they can both work in a variety of setting is not negated by this fact.

 

[morning]

You forget that nursing pays about 2.5 times as much as paramedics, and 3 to 3.5 times as much when you become a CRNA. You're also much likelier to be EMPLOYED in the first place.

But we're not discussing careers here... just activities for pre-meds.

Not really, new grad nurses basically have to walk through lava to get a job these days. And I don't remember the OP saying he was interested in anesthesiology. You may as well turn this into another dentist vs. physician debate if you're going to bring up CRNAs.