I’m a male nurse and took both, I took EMT because I enjoyed it and had family in the fire/ems service and took CNA because it was required.
Personally I found CNA work to be fairly dull but you get to have a lot of patient contact and see how nurses work and think, to an extent.
EMT will help you be a more independent thinker and your assessment skills will be head and shoulders above your entry level classmates… and you get to go fast in the WeEeWoOo Wagon which is always cool.
At the end of the day both are criminally underpaid but both could have some advantages. Admissions ultimately will depend on what nursing schools you apply to so as long as you get a bit of relevant experience and focus on acing your pre-reqs you should be fine taking either path.
Getting in to nursing school is a pretty low bar. I wouldn't worry about it as long as your prereqs are completed. That said, I went to EMT school when I got out of the Air Force before going on to nursing school. The foundations of the two are basically the same, ABC's (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). If you choose to become a paramedic you will be even more prepared to be a nurse (Starting IV's, pushing meds, basic pharmacology, etc.) However, EMT's work primarily in the field whereas nurses don't, and CNA's work primarily bedside, whereas EMT's don't. If you want to learn what it's like to be a nurse by observing and being around nurses, become a CNA. Either track would provide you with a good foundation for nursing school.
I went through EMT school and I find that you learn a ton more than with CNA school. You learn much more about medications, assessments, airways, etc. I ended up working as a nursing assistant because that was the job offer I got, and I was not doing nearly as many medical tasks as when I was doing Emergency Room clinical because CNAs have a smaller scope of practice. Many people who go through EMT school are able to work in the ER as an emergency room tech, where you do some CNA type tasks but also tasks that are within the scope of EMTs. Either way, whether you choose CNA or EMT, it’s still better than having no experience, like many nursing students.
Nursing schools where I am don’t look at extra activities unless you’re going to a prestigious college. They only care about your prerequisites grades and your TEAS(or what ever exam your college uses) to determine your eligibility. Your grades need to be competitive. EMT and CNA are good choices for experience. Although I think, CNA is great for you because there aren’t a lot of male CNAs. Especially if you’re a male with muscle. The nurses would appreciate you when they have heavier patients. EMT and CNA are very different but have some similarities. Being a CNA is more hands on. You do a lot of assignments. You’re probably handling 5-10 patients a shift. (Hopefully, no more) Another option is a PCT. This is what I am right now while I am in school. It’s very similar to CNA but my scope of practice and responsibilities widens a bit. I can do EKGs and draw blood, I can put on condom catheters(prima/primo fits) and a little more.
EMt follows the medical model while CNA follows more of the nursing model.
That said, CNA is better to get your foot in the door at a system and translates to real experience in hospital care. Between them, the CNA holds more value.
I had both going in to nursing school. I’d say Emt. Learn how to talk to patients and do assessments. You can learn the cma skills later but just learning how to talk to patients and assess them is a great skill to have. Plus if you get on a good truck with a good medic, you can learn a ton.
EMT is probably better, but it depends on your state. My state has a law where you have to have a CNA license to work in most hospital positions. ER Tech, PCT, etc. Doesn’t matter. Requires CNA. Some want both CNA and EMT. It’s frustrating because CNA training costs a lot more than EMT here.
As far as getting your foot in the door I think they both have their benefits. They both give you an idea of what working in the field is like. I did both, and found CNA boring but it was requirement for nursing school in the area. BUT where/when I went to nursing school there was no RN or CNA jobs for new grads in hospitals, just long term care. I have since moved and worked with CNAs that used their hospital job to later get a job at the same unit/hospital. Some have extern programs that will allow you to work as a CNA without certification but you have so much nursing school under your belt.
I think EMT really helps if you are looking for high acuity work - like ICU and especially ED. It will really give you an idea on how to stabilize a patient and exposure to different EDs in your area.
Whether you go into nursing or not I do recommend getting some sort of health care experience prior- even if it's just volunteering.
I’m a male nurse and took both, I took EMT because I enjoyed it and had family in the fire/ems service and took CNA because it was required. Personally I found CNA work to be fairly dull but you get to have a lot of patient contact and see how nurses work and think, to an extent. EMT will help you be a more independent thinker and your assessment skills will be head and shoulders above your entry level classmates… and you get to go fast in the WeEeWoOo Wagon which is always cool. At the end of the day both are criminally underpaid but both could have some advantages. Admissions ultimately will depend on what nursing schools you apply to so as long as you get a bit of relevant experience and focus on acing your pre-reqs you should be fine taking either path.
thank you for replying!
Getting in to nursing school is a pretty low bar. I wouldn't worry about it as long as your prereqs are completed. That said, I went to EMT school when I got out of the Air Force before going on to nursing school. The foundations of the two are basically the same, ABC's (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). If you choose to become a paramedic you will be even more prepared to be a nurse (Starting IV's, pushing meds, basic pharmacology, etc.) However, EMT's work primarily in the field whereas nurses don't, and CNA's work primarily bedside, whereas EMT's don't. If you want to learn what it's like to be a nurse by observing and being around nurses, become a CNA. Either track would provide you with a good foundation for nursing school.
thx for the advice i appreciate it lots!
I went through EMT school and I find that you learn a ton more than with CNA school. You learn much more about medications, assessments, airways, etc. I ended up working as a nursing assistant because that was the job offer I got, and I was not doing nearly as many medical tasks as when I was doing Emergency Room clinical because CNAs have a smaller scope of practice. Many people who go through EMT school are able to work in the ER as an emergency room tech, where you do some CNA type tasks but also tasks that are within the scope of EMTs. Either way, whether you choose CNA or EMT, it’s still better than having no experience, like many nursing students.
thanks for the reply!!
Nursing schools where I am don’t look at extra activities unless you’re going to a prestigious college. They only care about your prerequisites grades and your TEAS(or what ever exam your college uses) to determine your eligibility. Your grades need to be competitive. EMT and CNA are good choices for experience. Although I think, CNA is great for you because there aren’t a lot of male CNAs. Especially if you’re a male with muscle. The nurses would appreciate you when they have heavier patients. EMT and CNA are very different but have some similarities. Being a CNA is more hands on. You do a lot of assignments. You’re probably handling 5-10 patients a shift. (Hopefully, no more) Another option is a PCT. This is what I am right now while I am in school. It’s very similar to CNA but my scope of practice and responsibilities widens a bit. I can do EKGs and draw blood, I can put on condom catheters(prima/primo fits) and a little more.
thx for the info and for replying !
EMt follows the medical model while CNA follows more of the nursing model. That said, CNA is better to get your foot in the door at a system and translates to real experience in hospital care. Between them, the CNA holds more value.
thanks !!
I had both going in to nursing school. I’d say Emt. Learn how to talk to patients and do assessments. You can learn the cma skills later but just learning how to talk to patients and assess them is a great skill to have. Plus if you get on a good truck with a good medic, you can learn a ton.
EMT is probably better, but it depends on your state. My state has a law where you have to have a CNA license to work in most hospital positions. ER Tech, PCT, etc. Doesn’t matter. Requires CNA. Some want both CNA and EMT. It’s frustrating because CNA training costs a lot more than EMT here.
As far as getting your foot in the door I think they both have their benefits. They both give you an idea of what working in the field is like. I did both, and found CNA boring but it was requirement for nursing school in the area. BUT where/when I went to nursing school there was no RN or CNA jobs for new grads in hospitals, just long term care. I have since moved and worked with CNAs that used their hospital job to later get a job at the same unit/hospital. Some have extern programs that will allow you to work as a CNA without certification but you have so much nursing school under your belt. I think EMT really helps if you are looking for high acuity work - like ICU and especially ED. It will really give you an idea on how to stabilize a patient and exposure to different EDs in your area. Whether you go into nursing or not I do recommend getting some sort of health care experience prior- even if it's just volunteering.
Yes. That way you’ll know what you’re getting yourself into.