9 answers
Ali
Student
Minneapolis, Minnesota
5
Questions
Asked
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EMT or CNA?
My high school offers CNA and EMR/EMT classes that can transfer to college credit. My goal is to get a BSN, and I'm unsure which course could help me in the long run during college.
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9 answers
Bailey BSN, RN, CCRN-CMC
Registered Nurse
76
Answers
Updated
Bailey’s Answer
If your high school offers this for free, you should do the EMT program. This would be very beneficial knowledge and experience if you are wanting to pursue a career in the medical field.
margaret mchenney
Research Scientist, molecular biology; veterinary technology
15
Answers
Placitas, New Mexico
Updated
margaret’s Answer
Hi Ali,
Before I went to college I worked as a CNA in high school, and I took a course offered by a hospital in emergency medical technology following up by volunteering in the ambulance service. I would recommend trying both to find out which suits your temperament best. I found that I do not have a nervous system suited to emergency medicine. I also found that working closely with people did not suit me at that time in my life, also related to nervous system issues. I decided to go into research because generally the work was not overstimulating to my nervous system, and interacting with people was limited.
You have to understand who you are by trying different things, and as a result of what you learn about yourself, making good choices for your future.
Build upon your knowledge base and experiences and you will find your way.
Before I went to college I worked as a CNA in high school, and I took a course offered by a hospital in emergency medical technology following up by volunteering in the ambulance service. I would recommend trying both to find out which suits your temperament best. I found that I do not have a nervous system suited to emergency medicine. I also found that working closely with people did not suit me at that time in my life, also related to nervous system issues. I decided to go into research because generally the work was not overstimulating to my nervous system, and interacting with people was limited.
You have to understand who you are by trying different things, and as a result of what you learn about yourself, making good choices for your future.
Build upon your knowledge base and experiences and you will find your way.
Sylvia Mum
Registered Nurse
37
Answers
Ashburn, Virginia
Updated
Sylvia’s Answer
Hello Ali
That's a hard question. Both are good. Why not do both? They give you different insights into different medical careers. I expect both to give you hands on experience and expose you to different aspects of nursing and medicine.
That's a hard question. Both are good. Why not do both? They give you different insights into different medical careers. I expect both to give you hands on experience and expose you to different aspects of nursing and medicine.
Lirio Delgado
201
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Lirio’s Answer
Both EMT and CNA courses can be valuable, especially since you plan to pursue a BSN. Taking the EMT course may provide you with hands-on experience in emergency situations, developing critical thinking and quick decision-making skills. This experience can be beneficial for nursing, as you'll encounter similar scenarios in the field.On the other hand, the CNA course focuses more on patient care, assisting with daily activities, and understanding the healthcare environment. This could give you a strong foundation in basic nursing skills and direct patient interaction, which is crucial for a nursing career. Ultimately, both options can help you in different ways. If you're interested in emergency medicine and fast-paced environments, go for EMT. If you want to build your skills in patient care and day-to-day nursing tasks, consider the CNA course. Both will give you valuable insights and experience as you work towards your BSN.
Christine Woodard
2
Answers
Cross Plains, TX
Updated
Christine’s Answer
Hi Ali,
A CNA program directly relates to being a nurse. If your plan is to earn a BSN, a CNA will afford you invaluable nursing experience. Another added bonus is that you can work, if you choose, as a CNA while going to college.
An EMT is in a completely different environment , compared to a CNA. The focus is more on emergency care.
Both options will give you a great start in the medical field. An EMT course offers more “credit” but if that credit isn’t applicable to your long term plan, it may not be worth the investment.
Hope this helps!
A CNA program directly relates to being a nurse. If your plan is to earn a BSN, a CNA will afford you invaluable nursing experience. Another added bonus is that you can work, if you choose, as a CNA while going to college.
An EMT is in a completely different environment , compared to a CNA. The focus is more on emergency care.
Both options will give you a great start in the medical field. An EMT course offers more “credit” but if that credit isn’t applicable to your long term plan, it may not be worth the investment.
Hope this helps!
Mason Bryant
Aircraft mechanic
6
Answers
Lafayette, Louisiana
Updated
Mason’s Answer
I will say this: I got my emt through a hybrid course. Few months of work.
Both CNA and EMT offer good skills. If it's free, why not do both?
But... I can't tell you how much I've benefited from being a first responder. I've even gotten tuition discounts because of it! Saved thousands of dollars.
If you want to be a nurse, I don't think becoming an EMT would be a bad thing. But CNA gives you more of a hospital background compares to pre-hospitsl medicine.
Best of luck!
Both CNA and EMT offer good skills. If it's free, why not do both?
But... I can't tell you how much I've benefited from being a first responder. I've even gotten tuition discounts because of it! Saved thousands of dollars.
If you want to be a nurse, I don't think becoming an EMT would be a bad thing. But CNA gives you more of a hospital background compares to pre-hospitsl medicine.
Best of luck!
E T
Security
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
E’s Answer
If your high school offer the EMT program for free I would head that route. Then, more importantly, once you are ready and able to work get a job as an EMT so you are exposed to the whole Healthcare system, from Trauma centers, Emergency rooms, interacting with physicians and nurses that help you triage the cases you are helping. If you have time to take the CNA, then do that as well as it wont cost you anything and you can experience the more administrative and longer care side of things generally in clinics or non trauma hospitals.
To answer your question of college credits. Usually EMT and CNA do not transfer to 4 year colleges. They may transfer to community colleges however.
I hope that helps!
To answer your question of college credits. Usually EMT and CNA do not transfer to 4 year colleges. They may transfer to community colleges however.
I hope that helps!
Hana Kim
Student Nurse
18
Answers
Southborough, Massachusetts
Updated
Hana’s Answer
Hello Ali!
Like someone who mentioned above, I also suggest taking the CNA course in school. When working as a CNA, you can get experience working alongside nurses and patients, which can be very helpful when looking for nursing jobs after college. I worked as a summer student nurse (similar to a CNA) in summer as a college student, so it can be helpful if you want more experience while studying nursing. I've also known some students work as a CNA during school (which can later lead to a job after graduation!)
If you want to work as an EMT, then you would be more interested in providing rapid emergency care. If you like to work in high-focused environments, I suggest that you take the course to pursue a career in emergency nursing, such as working in the emergency department.
Good luck with your decision!
Like someone who mentioned above, I also suggest taking the CNA course in school. When working as a CNA, you can get experience working alongside nurses and patients, which can be very helpful when looking for nursing jobs after college. I worked as a summer student nurse (similar to a CNA) in summer as a college student, so it can be helpful if you want more experience while studying nursing. I've also known some students work as a CNA during school (which can later lead to a job after graduation!)
If you want to work as an EMT, then you would be more interested in providing rapid emergency care. If you like to work in high-focused environments, I suggest that you take the course to pursue a career in emergency nursing, such as working in the emergency department.
Good luck with your decision!
William Carlos, NRP
Paramedic
2
Answers
Summerville, South Carolina
Updated
William’s Answer
My wife is a MSN and she was both an EMT and a CNA before nursing school. She appreciates the experience that she gained in both fields. The benefit of having your CNA is that you can work as a tech in the hospital while you are going to school. It’s a great way to work in the environment that you will eventually be in. And she was able to transition to an RN on the unit she worked in during school.
Getting your EMT will also give you good experience. I have know many in EMS that have gone to nursing school. However, the fields are a bit more different than you would think. There are also several ways to get your EMT for free. However, there are very few ways to get your CNA for free.
Getting your EMT will also give you good experience. I have know many in EMS that have gone to nursing school. However, the fields are a bit more different than you would think. There are also several ways to get your EMT for free. However, there are very few ways to get your CNA for free.