Is a Scribe looked at as "better" than being a CNA?

[deleted1056062]

I see so many pre-med students being scribes, but I don't see many becoming CNAs. Do medical schools not look highly upon the CNA position for clinical hours? Do they view a CNA position as more suited for someone who has a pre-nursing career? Thanks!

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[paradoxic_toxic]

Imo, clinical hours are clinical hours.

 

[Tenk]

Both are good but scribe gets you to be bffs with docs. CNA really doesn’t. You’re closer to the nurses who do nothing for your application.

 

[charactercomic2]

I worked over this summer for the first time as a CNA. I cannot speak as to what you might do as a scribe, but being a CNA in an outpatient facility has REALLY made me fall in love with medicine. Being able to work very closely with patients and being responsible for them is extremely rewarding. I have also grown really close to several nurses as well. For me i see being a CNA as having more direct patient care and experience, but being a scribe has benefits in forming a relationship with physicians. Hope this helps!

 

[LizzyM]

Both are good. Some adcoms see CNA experience as valuable because it shows that you are willing to get your hands dirty. You may be BFF with the doctor as a scribe but as a CNA you are responsible for patients and that is a plus in anyone's book.

 

[candbgirl]

I have never worked with a scribe but I’ve been a patient and a scribe was in the room. She didn’t do anything really. Stood there, typed a lot her iPad, never said a word and certainly didn’t say anything to me. Seemed sort of boring. On the other hand, I’ve used CNAS to help me move a patient, get needed supplies etc.. Much more interaction between the CNA and the patient!

 

[MediocreClimber]

I think it is usually seen as CNA>scribe just because it is admirable to work such a hard job. Scribing is also a great opportunity, but it is hard to beat the patient experience you get as a CNA. I have definitely had more stories, experiences, and patient interaction as a CNA/ ED tech than my friends who scribed did.

Edit: working as a CNA for years during college changed my view on medicine and perhaps even life. I cannot recommend it enough to people. It is near and dear to my heart even though it was often very hard and exhausting mentally/physically.

 

[Goro]

I see so many pre-med students being scribes, but I don't see many becoming CNAs. Do medical schools not look highly upon the CNA position for clinical hours? Do they view a CNA position as more suited for someone who has a pre-nursing career? Thanks!

It doesn't matter to me.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Both have advantages. Being a CNA allows you to care for people during some of their most vulnerable moments while you bathe them, brush their dentures, comb their hair, etc. A Scribe gets to be in the room with the Doc and observes the clinical process. I was a CNA in college and believe it is both clinical and a service to others. Having said that, I believe both have merit. I dont think one is significantly preferred for admission.

 

[penpenclown]

In my experience CNA pays better (I've never made less than $12.50, currently make ~$15) so I would generally recommend that unless someone else is paying your bills. Plus it's a lot more flexible.

 

[bsc09c]

I can only speak to scribe experience. Yes you will spend a lot of time typing on a computer, as opposed to a CNA with more hands on experience. But as a scribe you will spend most, if not all your time alongside a doctor. You will watch and listen to every patient exam, every consult, every procedure, etc. The doctors will inevitably teach you things as you work, like how to read xrays, how to interpret labs, why they ordered certain tests. You will learn their thought processes behind everything and start to think like them over time. If you're lucky you'll get a good doc who is willing to let you step outside your role as scribe and put your hands on the patient. Maybe palpate a dislocated shoulder or listen to an abnormal heart murmur. Working as a CNA will get you great hands on clinical experience, but in my opinion working a scribe will give you a better feel for what it's like to be a doctor.

 

[danielthemaniel]

Both are good. Some adcoms see CNA experience as valuable because it shows that you are willing to get your hands dirty. You may be BFF with the doctor as a scribe but as a CNA you are responsible for patients and that is a plus in anyone's book.

How would being an EMT stack up with these two other jobs?

 

[Calizboosted76]

In my experience CNA pays better (I've never made less than $12.50, currently make ~$15) so I would generally recommend that unless someone else is paying your bills. Plus it's a lot more flexible.

This varies on where you are. Im a scribe and I make $15 as well. However I know of CNAs in myarea making $9.50 an hour and scribes in other areas making $9.50 an hour.

To add to this: the lead scribes at my job make $22 an hour.

 

[lull]

the lead scribes at my job make $22 an hour.

that's insane, I'm guessing this isn't scribe America or one of those bigger companies

 

[Calizboosted76]

that's insane, I'm guessing this isn't scribe America or one of those bigger companies

Correct. We are privately contracted to a chain of hospitals through a smaller company.

 

[lull]

Correct. We are privately contracted to a chain of hospitals through a smaller company.

well damn...I never broke $13 with any of the scribe positions here in Minnesota, even being employed directly at smaller clinics...I had to switch to something more sustainable

 

[Calizboosted76]

well damn...I never broke $13 with any of the scribe positions here in Minnesota, even being employed directly at smaller clinics...I had to switch to something more sustainable

Yea Im in Florida

 

[LizzyM]

How would being an EMT stack up with these two other jobs?

It depends on what you do as an EMT, how busy your service is, how much of the work is transfers (taking people in wheelchairs to medical appointments and even social events) vs critically ill or injured patients.