Want a Medical Career but Undecided? 2 Fields You May Consider Stepping into

If you want to go into the medical field, but have not quite figured out yet exactly what you want to do, you may want to consider trade school first. This is a great way to get started, and you do not have to commit to a full four-year degree just yet. Below are two fields you may want to consider.

CNA

A CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) is a way to step into the nursing field. If you have not decided if you want to be a registered nurse, you can start out being a nursing assistant. When you finish trade school and start working as a CNA, this can show you if you would like to go further and obtain your RN degree.  

As a CNA, you will provide basic care to your patients. Some duties you may have is to take vital signs of a patient, assist your patients with bathing, eating, help them move from their bed to a wheelchair or in a standing position, and give prescribed medications. You may also put and take off their bandages, and either assist the nurse with wound care or provide this care yourself. You will need to become certified to work as a CNA.

PTA

A PTA (Physical Therapy Assistance) assists the physical therapists in caring for patients. As the assistant, you will help people that have problems with mobility, such as shoulder replacement, knee replacement, or muscle injuries. You may work in a hospital, nursing home, outpatient clinic, and more.  

Some of the care you provide may be in teaching your patients exercises they need to do at home to help with their mobility problem and strengthen their muscles. You may also assist patients with their walkers, crutches, or canes, or use a massage therapy.

You may assist the physical therapist with electrotherapy, which includes electric stimulation and ultrasound. To become a physical therapist you have to have a four-year college degree, and many choose to go beyond this and obtain their Master's degree. Starting out as an assistant can show you how physical therapists work on a day-to-day basis, and if this is something you would like to do before you commit to this many years of schooling.

You should be able to find many trade schools in your area that offer CNA or PT classes. Visit more than one to find a school that best fits you and what you want to study. For more information, contact Alia HealthCare Services.