BarryO Posted August 11, 2018 So, I have 1 interview in November and I am still waiting to here back from 12 (all) other schools (1/1 on interview invites! . CASPA submitted 6/30 and verified 7/6. I am currently in my gap year for PA school. I work full-time as a CNA on the med/surg/peds/ICU floor at a hospital and plan to continue this work until I (hopefully) start PA school next summer. My question is: would it be better to spend $1000 on an EMT class or get a 2nd job? This CNA job does not pay that well to be able to save up for the next few years of school. The EMT class runs from August-December and I could possibly volunteer as an EMT until beginning PA school. This would accrue further volunteer hours as well in case I didn't get in this year and could also give me a "topic" to talk about during my interviews. Or, should I get a 2nd job as a bouncer at a bar and make ~$50 in tips 1-2 nights per week plus wage pay and save up for the debts of PA school. I also plan to shadow some more PAs, mainly in a surgical setting, between now and beginning PA school so I could speak of this during my interviews as well. I am just trying to weigh the benefits of each decision and would appreciate any input! Thank you!
Moderator EMEDPA Posted August 11, 2018 Moderator sounds like your current experience is fine. The benefit of any added training is not having the cert, but using the cert in a meaningful way for > 1000 hrs. If you could really use the money, get a 2nd job and focus on other aspects of your app like the shadowing you mentioned and maybe volunteer at a free clinic or something. .
whitecoatrosegold Posted August 11, 2018 Just food for thought as I'm all for becoming an EMT! If there are volunteer agencies near you, a lot of them will take you on and pay for your training or let you take the class seriously discounted. My class was free through my agency because I was a volly! And volunteering was a great way to get PCE AND looks good! Highly recommend looking into it! EMT can pay better too depending where you are.
Moderator EMEDPA Posted August 11, 2018 Moderator I am a big fan of getting an EMT cert(got mine in 1987 and was an ER tech and paramedic for 9 years before becoming a PA), but I really think the value in it is using it. if the OPs plan is just to get it and apply after maybe a few months then it doesn't help as much as someone who gets it and uses it quite a bit.
PA2O18 Posted August 11, 2018 I would just stick with CNA because like said above, doesn’t sound like you would use the EMT cert for very long. You must be doing something right if you are already getting interviews! Plus being a bouncer sounds kinda fun. Good luck!
Moderator EMEDPA Posted August 11, 2018 Moderator 24 minutes ago, PA2O18 said: I would just stick with CNA because like said above, doesn’t sound like you would use the EMT cert for very long. You must be doing something right if you are already getting interviews! Plus being a bouncer sounds kinda fun. Good luck! just make sure you follow Patrick Swayze's rule from raodhouse: "be nice, until it's time to not be nice".
TheLastStone Posted August 12, 2018 Being an EMT won't really pay much more than being a CNA, unless you work for a busy 911 service with plenty of overtime. I have my EMT license, and when I got hired I learned what the pay was and I looked at similar hospital jobs to see if there was a noticeable difference. They were maybe a $1-2/hr difference, so it wouldn't have made sense. I would look at maybe finding more hours or go with the second job you have lined up, instead of throwing a grand into a license you wont use that much.
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