ER nurse getting paramedic

[jedi88]

Hi! Do you think it is helpful for a nurse to get a paramedic or PHRN certification if they work in the ER? Does that training better prepare you for your job?

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

ANY training helps. EMT-P would be useful if you intend to use it and "do it in the streets." If your planning to stay indoors, TNCC, would be my first recomendation. In fact I think all nurses should have TNCC before they're turned loose on the streets. ACLS is a must, ATLS is highly recomended. Since the ER see's every kind of medical and trauma issue, it's hard to go wrong. Here in El Paso Spanish is often more useful than English, in some areas with large hearing impaired communities, American Sign Language is useful. Guess what I'm saying is play to your audience. Good Luck.

[jedi88]

Hi! Thank you for your help! How long is a TNCC course? Can nurses enroll in an ATLS class? I already took ACLS and I was a Spanish minor in college so I have some experience with that.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

Trauma Nurse Core Curiculumn (TNCC) is a 3 day weekend class, but you'll learn so much in that time you'll be amazed. Check with the ENA (Emergency Nurses Association) for details.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

And if you live in IL, TNS (Trauma Nurse Specialist) is a must - its a masters-level 40 hour course which really delves into the A&P and rationale behind the care provided.

Dthfytr - I noted that you listed trauma specialist - do you live in IL by chance?

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Does an RN audit an ATLS course or get the full blown certification? That requires quite a bit beyond the scope of nursing school or nurse training, right?

[northernguy]

Im neither an RN or a Paramedic(I'm a CNA and a licensed EMT), but I've worked with both, and my opinion is that although it certainly wouldnt hurt for an ED nurse to be a paramedic, becoming a Paramedic is a pretty grueling and lengthy process and Im not sure it would be worth it for an RN to go through all that if he/she didnt plan on actually working as a Paramedic in the field.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I agree with the previous poster. Unless you just wanted to go to paramedic school, as a hobby, it's unlikely to be beneficial to you as a nurse. Sure, you'd learn somethings that nursing school in itself doesn't teach, but it's unlikely you'd never get to do much, if any, of it as an ER nurse. You could, however, do some side work as a paramedic if you wanted. Here, an RN cannot just get in an ambulance and take the place of a paramedic. Statute requires a paramedic to be in the patient compartment. It's a good education, and I think doing paramedic first would be best for the newcomer. Being a paramedic teaches you a lot about doing much of what staff in the ER do but doing it by yourself. You develop skills that allow you to take charge and own a situation. I really enjoyed it, and I'm in nursing school now. Paramedic school has less assignments, but the process was much more rigorous. I think more was expected of us - not to step on any toes. I've talked to other medics that have gone on to be RNs, and they've shared similar sentiments.

At any rate, I did want to mention that I'm aware of a hospital, albeit a "small" one serving a county area of only about 25,000, in the area here that pays RNs who are certified by the National Registery of Emergency Medical Technicians incentive pay because the hospital considers it a national certification, and there national certifications help bump nurses up the salary schedule.

[TraumaSurfer]

If you want to work only as a Paramedic then get your Paramedic cert.

If you want to advance your career as an RN, take the courses that will take you forward. In your profile it says you are still a student. If you want to be a nurse, don't delay that with getting a paramedic cert.

Get your CEN, TNCC and check out ENA as already mentioned. Advance to Trauma Nurse Specialist. Get some training in the ICU.

You do not need to get a Paramedic cert to advance as an RN.

An RN can also be in charge of many situations and probably all are going on at one time.

Here, an RN cannot just get in an ambulance and take the place of a paramedic. Statute requires a paramedic to be in the patient compartment.

The exception would probably be with flight, critical care transport and specialty where a Paramedic is not required or needed since the RNs have the base education and can easily be trained for whatever skills a Paramedic can do along with many more. Most of the Flight teams in my state are RN/RN and the CCTs consist of an RN and EMT-Bs.

[Neveranurseagain, RN]

Take your EMT class first--you will be amazed at how much you will learn and how to hustle.

[northernguy]

I agree becoming an EMT would be beneficial, even though EMT basics have a very limited scope of practice(they dont even trust us with needles). Where it might be beneficial is having a better understanding of what goes on before a patient is wheeled through the door after arriving by ambulance, as well as seeing first hand some mechanisms of injury and the type of trauma they cause. Its also relatively quick and easy, unlike becoming a paramedic, and in my opinion its kind of fun(I work as a CNA for money, but I volunteer as an EMT for free).

[Daisy Doodle]

I have thought about it too. I just requested information from Creighton University. They have a RN to Paramedic program. It sounds interesting and I think I would have both a better picture of patient needs and a better appreciation of our prehospital staff.

I have cared for many trauma patients but have not really ever seen an accident scene. I think I would be able to understand mechanisms of injury better. I think many times our prehospital staff is under-appreciated. I llok forward to hearing from others!

Daisy