Is it possible/worth it to get certified during college?

[discombobulate]

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First post; not sure if this is the right place to ask. Sorry if it isn't 🙁

I'm a first year and have been volunteering at the campus hospital since the first week of school. Commitment is 4 hours per week, and the experience has been exactly what I expected from a standard volunteer gig. Endless shadowing in different units, but that's about it. (Nevertheless, I plan to stay with the program past the 1 year requirement if I'm lucky enough to earn one of the leadership positions.)

Since I really want to begin doing something that offers more clinical experience, I know I need to get a cert of some sort. I've researched SDN and have seen people suggest things like EMT, CNA, unit secretary, EKG/surgical/ER tech, phlebotomist, etc.

The problem is, I am extremely confused as to where to even begin. (I've consulted my career center, and they are virtually useless. All they do is help with CV's and mock interviews...) I did some research online about the cert process for each of those jobs, but they just said I have to take some course. Where though? Do people ever take the courses online? I'm so confused. Please help 🙁 (I go to school in southern CA, but now that it's winter break, I'm back up north, if that helps expand my cert options)

My second question is whether it is worth the time and money investment to get a cert in general if my goal is to get more hands-on experience in a hospital setting. Most SDN threads have people who talk about working as CNA's, EMT's, etc. but they don't say WHEN they got certified. I have no idea whether it is wise or not to balance some 10-week cert course with the classes I'm already taking.

(last note: I keep reading all these posts about how EMT's and CNA's need to do heavy lifting. I got massive thoracic surgery less than 1/2 a year ago that has given me nerve damage and rendered the majority of my upper body muscles weak/useless for anything other than the most basic movements, e.g. carrying books, holding bags, etc. Even opening doors can be a challenge at times if they're heavy. I'm very worried about how this will hold me back in terms of what extracurriculars I'll be able to do for the next few years.)

 

[Afford]

I became certified as an EMT and it cost me about $200, but that's because it was a university class, so I assume the rest was subsidized with our tuition payment. You can see if your college offers a class. If not, your local community college will offer one.

I took the class with other classes and it was not fun. I would take a lighter semester or take it during the summer.

 

[Gregarious_and_Hilarious]

I worked for 2 years as a CNA, and totally recommend it, so hopefully I can help!!

1. I got certified to get paid while doing clinical hours, as well as getting more intensive experience (same reasons as you).

2. I got certified summer after freshman year, however I know others that got it at various times throughout college.

3. You can typically find classes at more technical colleges, or maybe a community college. There was a nursing home near me that offered classes. If you google CNA cert and your town, I'm sure you can dig up something. Or ask your premed adviser; mine actually directed me towards this option.

4. It's totally worth it. I made almost twice minimum wage, learned to deal with a difficult patient population, and tons of clinical experience. If you have more time and money, you might wanna try your hand at EMT. They do super cool stuff. However, I'm not familiar with CA very rules, so I would definitely consult with someone in your state

Hope this helps!!

Edit: just read your last note. Typical these jobs involve lifting people (often deadweight). I wore a back brace when I worked it full time. If you can't meet those technical standards, then I'm not sure this is the best route

 

[DrOMG]

Go to your local Volunteer Fire Department. EMT cert cost - $0.

Edit: Just read about your upper body strength limitations. You should probably forget about the EMT.

 

[deleted651092]

forget about being an EMT or CNA because of your limitations, maybe train to be a phlebotomist or surgical tech

you can literally just google "surgical tech training (city)"

 

[FCMike11]

forget about being an EMT or CNA because of your limitations, maybe train to be a phlebotomist or surgical tech

you can literally just google "surgical tech training (city)"

Limitations how? As in the training time? Becoming a surgical tech has become an official 1 yr program.

 

[Doctor Dream]

First post; not sure if this is the right place to ask. Sorry if it isn't 🙁

I'm a first year and have been volunteering at the campus hospital since the first week of school. Commitment is 4 hours per week, and the experience has been exactly what I expected from a standard volunteer gig. Endless shadowing in different units, but that's about it. (Nevertheless, I plan to stay with the program past the 1 year requirement if I'm lucky enough to earn one of the leadership positions.)

Since I really want to begin doing something that offers more clinical experience, I know I need to get a cert of some sort. I've researched SDN and have seen people suggest things like EMT, CNA, unit secretary, EKG/surgical/ER tech, phlebotomist, etc.

The problem is, I am extremely confused as to where to even begin. (I've consulted my career center, and they are virtually useless. All they do is help with CV's and mock interviews...) I did some research online about the cert process for each of those jobs, but they just said I have to take some course. Where though? Do people ever take the courses online? I'm so confused. Please help 🙁 (I go to school in southern CA, but now that it's winter break, I'm back up north, if that helps expand my cert options)

My second question is whether it is worth the time and money investment to get a cert in general if my goal is to get more hands-on experience in a hospital setting. Most SDN threads have people who talk about working as CNA's, EMT's, etc. but they don't say WHEN they got certified. I have no idea whether it is wise or not to balance some 10-week cert course with the classes I'm already taking.

(last note: I keep reading all these posts about how EMT's and CNA's need to do heavy lifting. I got massive thoracic surgery less than 1/2 a year ago that has given me nerve damage and rendered the majority of my upper body muscles weak/useless for anything other than the most basic movements, e.g. carrying books, holding bags, etc. Even opening doors can be a challenge at times if they're heavy. I'm very worried about how this will hold me back in terms of what extracurriculars I'll be able to do for the next few years.)

I'm a junior, I took a CNA class over this past summer. There's a technical college in my town that I knew offered certifications like that, so I just searched their website and signed up for a summer class. The class was part online and part in person.

As far as your second question, I pretty much 100% agree with this guy

I worked for 2 years as a CNA, and totally recommend it, so hopefully I can help!!

1. I got certified to get paid while doing clinical hours, as well as getting more intensive experience (same reasons as you).

4. It's totally worth it. I made almost twice minimum wage, learned to deal with a difficult patient population, and tons of clinical experience.

He's right too about the heavy lifting, CNA's lift and reposition people constantly, there's actually a very high rate of back injuries for CNA's. I'd consider looking into something else, maybe phlebotomist or surg tech?

 

[Doctor Dream]

Limitations how? As in the training time? Becoming a surgical tech has become an official 1 yr program.

Because OP said this

(last note: I keep reading all these posts about how EMT's and CNA's need to do heavy lifting. I got massive thoracic surgery less than 1/2 a year ago that has given me nerve damage and rendered the majority of my upper body muscles weak/useless for anything other than the most basic movements, e.g. carrying books, holding bags, etc. Even opening doors can be a challenge at times if they're heavy. I'm very worried about how this will hold me back in terms of what extracurriculars I'll be able to do for the next few years.)

 

[FCMike11]

Because OP said this

Ahh ok, didn't read the last note.

 

[Deranged Medic]

If you have back issues, you should probably avoid the EMT or CNA routes. I have spent several years as an EMT/paramedic, and I don't know a single EMS worker who doesn't have back issues from lifting patients. I didn't use my back as much when I worked as an ED tech, but I did use my back a lot working as a tech on a med/surg floor. I would argue standing as a surgical tech might be rough on your back as well. Like several people have mentioned, phlebotomy might be the lesser of all the evils mentioned, but I would argue spending time shadowing physicians in different specialties and performing research might be better uses of your time.

 

[Deranged Medic]

What about becoming a scribe? I met several people on the interview trail who were scribes, and it sounds like this gives you the opportunity to obtain physician shadowing and paid clinical experience at the same time.

 

[FutureOncologist]

I would go with being a scribe. There are many programs out there to train you in a few weeks, as opposed to Surg tech, which will take an entire year of full-time classes (depending on the program) to even be eligible to work. Scribes only have to push a computer around, similar to what nurses use when first meeting the patient. However, this will be a two-year commitment part-time (or take off a year to work full time if money is tight).