Just want to make sure I am correct, you cannot use your EMT/Paramedic license to "test out" of taking the CNA course correct? You still have to take the course to get your cert as a CNA instead of just taking the test?
Why would you want to test out of something that you have no idea of what they do?
Is there really anything in CNA school they teach that they don't in EMT school? Moving patients a bit more...maybe bathing em?
EMT teaches you basic first-aid...period.
The EMT teaches nothing about day to day living activities of people with special needs nor does it cover anything about long term care.
Of course the CNA must also know CPR.
The CNA course teaches total patient care at a basic nursing level. That includes VS on a variety of patients. How many threads have we had on BP where EMT(P)s have no idea how to do a BP on a cancer patient or those with special lines. What about taking a temperature? How many EMTs know how to do that correctly from various routes?
It teaches how to lift and move patients correctly. How to ambulate them safely. Watching some EMTs move patients is more like watching a sack of potatoes being moved.
They are also taught how to move and work around the various pieces of equipment which on the ortho floor they may double as the ortho tech. The spinal floor gets into a variety of heavy equipment for moving as does the bariatric floor. Quite often it is just one or two CNAs that must move the quads and bariatric patients and not an entire ambulance company or FD.
Bathing is just one small part since the patient's skin has to be checked for integrity and many different dressings and accessories must be worked around.
Aspiration precautions and feeding skills are learned as are how to safely prevent someone from falling and the proper way to restrain patients.
They may also do ECGs either 12 lead or apply leads on tele. Psych and lockup units give their CNAs extensive training for safety and special care of the needs for that patient. The Alzheimer's unit also requires special training since the CNA must actually interact with the patient for their entire shift.
The CNA must also be familar with a variety of special needs and medical disorders. Rheumatoid Arthritis patients are some of the most challenging to work with on a daily patients as are those on long term corticosteriods. Ventilator, trach and peg patients also require special care. Pediatrics with special needs may also be in various LTC facilities or hospitals. There is little covered if any information about these patients in the EMT course.
What about the JCAHO safety mandates? Did you get that in your EMT course?
There are a lot of skills I have missed since the CNA helps to reinforce what nursing, SLP, RT, OT and PT have initiated in the care plans. It is amazing our CNAs can do as much as they do considering each might have 10 - 15 patients. They are the masters of time management.
