3 answers
Eileen
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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Which is better, CNA or EMT?
I have the choice to take a CNA or an EMT class in high school but I'm not sure which would be a better fit, what are the benefits and downsides of both?
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3 answers
David Quigley
Engineer
4
Answers
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Updated
David’s Answer
I am an EMT and it is very rewarding, however CNAs are really needed at this time. Either would be very rewarding and extremely helpful. The CNA process is a little longer if you have the time.
Craig Moye
Emergency medical technician
27
Answers
Abington, Pennsylvania
Updated
Craig’s Answer
I did both!
What are your long term goals??? Do you like autonomy? Do you like creative situations and thinking in health care? Are you interested in other things outside of medicine like fire fighting or search and rescue? Are you willing and able to get to someone at their lowest low? Do you like driving long distances? Do you like being outside? Can you go a fast pace? Can you sit in a truck with someone for 12 hours?
Or do you like working with someone over you? Do take comfort in knowing that helps right around the corner? Do you like being up close and personal with your patients? Do you dread going into peopled homes? Do you like caring for others(feeding, engaging, bathing)? Can you change diapers?
If you answered mostly yes to the first one, you'll being an EMT, the second one, a CNA. In terms of skills EMT you will learn more and generally do more than a CNA in most cases. In fact most hospitals and retirement homes they started hiring EMTs for that reason. But if you want want an edge...learn phlebotomy, if you can stick anyone with a needle and they don't complain too much you can go anywhere in Healthcare.
Also in regards to pay, promotions and the future, CNAs win in that department, in most states you'll go from CNA, LPN, RN, MSN, NP. For EMS it's EMT, EMT-A, Paramedic in most states.
EMS in general is paid fairly low unless you work for a big hospital(me), or go into a specialty like fire fighting, law enforcement, security, flight, military.
CNA isn't much but better but once you hit RN you're making at least 30$ an hour. I will say some states and companies do allow nurses to work in prehospital care, and the military has nurses, there is wilderness nursing too!
My point is, learn phlebotomy 😆 to stand out, and if being an EMT catches your fancy but the pay bothers you, you can bridge that gap by learning certain skills or becoming a nurse in prehospital care.
Next to each other I believe EMT wins in terms of skills, but if that life completely bothers you, you could go to emt school and use it somewhere else. Just don't tell your teacher, they get mad when you don't wanna ride the bus
What are your long term goals??? Do you like autonomy? Do you like creative situations and thinking in health care? Are you interested in other things outside of medicine like fire fighting or search and rescue? Are you willing and able to get to someone at their lowest low? Do you like driving long distances? Do you like being outside? Can you go a fast pace? Can you sit in a truck with someone for 12 hours?
Or do you like working with someone over you? Do take comfort in knowing that helps right around the corner? Do you like being up close and personal with your patients? Do you dread going into peopled homes? Do you like caring for others(feeding, engaging, bathing)? Can you change diapers?
If you answered mostly yes to the first one, you'll being an EMT, the second one, a CNA. In terms of skills EMT you will learn more and generally do more than a CNA in most cases. In fact most hospitals and retirement homes they started hiring EMTs for that reason. But if you want want an edge...learn phlebotomy, if you can stick anyone with a needle and they don't complain too much you can go anywhere in Healthcare.
Also in regards to pay, promotions and the future, CNAs win in that department, in most states you'll go from CNA, LPN, RN, MSN, NP. For EMS it's EMT, EMT-A, Paramedic in most states.
EMS in general is paid fairly low unless you work for a big hospital(me), or go into a specialty like fire fighting, law enforcement, security, flight, military.
CNA isn't much but better but once you hit RN you're making at least 30$ an hour. I will say some states and companies do allow nurses to work in prehospital care, and the military has nurses, there is wilderness nursing too!
My point is, learn phlebotomy 😆 to stand out, and if being an EMT catches your fancy but the pay bothers you, you can bridge that gap by learning certain skills or becoming a nurse in prehospital care.
Next to each other I believe EMT wins in terms of skills, but if that life completely bothers you, you could go to emt school and use it somewhere else. Just don't tell your teacher, they get mad when you don't wanna ride the bus
Josh Zuber
Flight Paramedic/Registered Nurse
3
Answers
West Monroe, Louisiana
Updated
Josh’s Answer
They are completely different!
Being an EMT provides you the licensure to work on an ambulance and respond to 911 calls or hospital transports. Most of the job is going to revolve around driving an ambulance and taking care of patients in their home or field.
A CNA primarily works in the hospital. They work along side nurses to care for patients. They are normally responsible for the daily actives of patients such as assistance with bathing, feeding, using the bathroom, etc.
Both options are great introductions to the healthcare field and will provide the opportunity for advancement.
Being an EMT provides you the licensure to work on an ambulance and respond to 911 calls or hospital transports. Most of the job is going to revolve around driving an ambulance and taking care of patients in their home or field.
A CNA primarily works in the hospital. They work along side nurses to care for patients. They are normally responsible for the daily actives of patients such as assistance with bathing, feeding, using the bathroom, etc.
Both options are great introductions to the healthcare field and will provide the opportunity for advancement.