RHC81 Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Hi, everyone, Looks like the Army will be sending us to Joint Base Lewis-McChord this year. Very excited about it, as I am hoping to attend the MEDEX master's program! However, I'm now debating my next move. I have about 4,700 total HCE hours. Of those, 1,700 are as an ER tech/patient care tech/CNA, 1,000 are as a physical therapy tech, and the remainder was in health administration (ER clerk, business manager, utilization management support coordinator). I know I need more HCE to apply for MEDEX, as the health admin experience won't count. My academics are competitive, so I think the weak link in my application will be the HCE. I plan to pursue some sort of paid HCE once we arrive in WA (we're overseas currently). I was a CNA, but I was not licensed (not required in that state). It has been more than a year since I worked as a CNA, so I would have to go to the class again to become certified in WA. So, my options are: 1. CNA class again. Pros: Short classtime --> working. Inexpensive. Cons: Finding work might be challenging... 2. EMT-B class. Pros: Higher level of training. Good skills for future. Cons: More expensive. More time consuming. Unsure of job market. My question: in view of the fact that my goal is HCE to apply to MEDEX, which would you choose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IdahoPA Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I'm confused. What were/are you in the Army? I applied with about 5700 hrs and mine were mostly from deploying as a medic for 18 months. If you've been active duty for even 2 years, you should have more hours. (Assuming you had a med MOS.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHC81 Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 I'm sorry - I didn't make that clear. My husband is in the Army; I'm not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acebecker Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Honest answer? Both. 2 reasons - learning/working as an EMT is, IMO, infinitely better prep for PA school than CNA work, but as you said the job market is competitive, esp around Lewis/McChord. CNA training will not prepare you as well for PA school - not saying that those CNAs who have gotten into MEDEX were not prepared, but I've done both and I know for certain that EMT training was more applicable to what what and how I learned in PA school. The most important reason for doing both, though, is that it will make you more marketable in the job market. Want an ER tech job? CNA/EMT makes a MUCH better applicant than CNA or EMT by themselves. Want a nursing home job? CNA/EMT makes a much better applicant then does either by itself. That's my 2 cents, YMMV. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHC81 Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 I appreciate the honest answer, Acebecker. I hadn't even considered a both/and proposition. I will look into it! Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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