RN + Paramedic

kat911 · Aug 15, 2004

Hello everyone,
I'm an LPN working on my prereqs for getting my RN license. I want to end up working ER. While I'm taking my Anatomy, etc.., I'm also taking an Basic EMT class. I would like to get my Paramedic license together with my RN license. I was just wondering how many people have both a Nursing and an EMT license of any level. Do you recommend both, or is it a waste of time? I know that in the far future my ultimate goal would be being a flight nurse in a helicopter. What do you think? Is this a good path to go or not?
Thanks for any input.

If you plan on being a flight nurse the paramedic will be helpful. Most programs in our area require paramedic for the nurses. I let mine lapse when I left transport nursing, too much education requirement to keep up with. The additional knowledge will help you understand the paramedic and emt roles in the prehospital setting. You will get unique insight into what happens to your patient prehospital. Additional knowledge can only make you a better nurse.

edogs334 · Aug 16, 2004

I'm not an RN (yet) but I am a college student and an EMT planning on going to nursing school next year (hopefully fall of '05). I'd say definately go for getting both. Just from my experience, I love EMS, but want to get my RN because of the much higher pay and many, many more career options. As an RN, I could virtually go anywhere under the sun in health care. As an EMT (or as a medic), I have only have a few limited choices of where I want to work and what kind of medicine I want to practice.

As mentioned before, most flight services, for example, Boston Medflight (one of the two in my state), require that their nurses have at least EMT-B (or EMT-I or P) under their belt + 5 years ER/ICU experience + BSN. I've talked with a lot of medics and a number of RN's who say that paramedic and ER/Critical Care nursing knowledge compliment each other a lot. Plus, in my state (massachusetts), RN's who are EMT's and ACLS certified can, after some additional training, challenge the Paramedic exam. One word of caution, get at least a year's worth of ambulance experience (preferably dealing with mostly emergencies) once you get your EMT-B and before you go for your medic. EMT's, kind of like RN's, learn a ton of new stuff when they finish their training and actually start getting real patient care experience in the field. There's nothing like actually going to a call and having to take care of an acutely ill and/or injured person yourself, with only your partner to guide you.

I can say from personal experience that even though I have about 2-1/2 yrs. of EMT-B experience and I am still learning new things about patient care/EMS in general every time I work. I can also say with certainty that had I went straigth to paramedic school from basic school (like some people do), that I would have floundered big-time had I passed everything in medic class.

Hope this helps,

Ian

Trauma Columnist · Aug 16, 2004

I'm a little bit different type of pre-hospital provider. I'm a pre-hospital RN. I live in a rural area in Illinois and we have pre-hospital RN's that can fulfill the role of paramedics. We take a test on protocols for our area and have to have so many years of experience in our level one ED before the doc will sign off on it. I worked in our level one ED for 3 years and then asked for the PHRN and I've been on the rescue squad for five years now. Of course, I'm still an ER RN and have to keep all my certs up (CPR, ACLS, ENPC, PALS, PEPP, BTLS, TNCC, TNS, CEN, PHRN). I love prehospital - very different and another way to get the adrenaline rush. Good luck!

RNCENCCRNNREMTP · Aug 28, 2004

I have been an EMT/Paramedic x 22 years and an RN for 13 years. I feel that the two titles are most helpful for my job in the ER. I am allowed to use my paramedeic skills (intubation, central line placement, etc.) to assist the ED physicians when it is really busy (read; all the time). I get to enjoy the best of both titles.

emsboss · Aug 28, 2004

As a paramedic (20+ years) going into the RN field, I graduate December 17th, BTW. I am going to keep BOTH certifications, RNCENCCRNNREMTP called it right. Being certified in both allows you to "mix" skills and be more helpful in the ED. If you are interested in flight medicine, it will work here too. GOOD LUCK!!!:)

jackleg27 · Aug 28, 2004

I have been a Paramedic for 4 years and graduate RN school in May 2005. I have found my experience as a medic to be extremely helpful in nursing school. It has made things soooo much easier in clinicals and book knowledge. I am not entirely sure I want to work in the ER when I get done and I have considered flight nursing one day. I would probably go on for your medic instead of just the EMT-B if I were you.

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Aug 28, 2004

Guys I hate to tell you this but you can't "Mix" skills for the two. You can only use the skills that are in the scope of practice for the job you are in.

After being a Paramedic for 25 years, I finally realized, that I am and always will be now a nurse. Fortunatly I live in a state that allows RN's to work pre-hospital.

Now as to the training, by all means if your state does'nt have a pre-hosptial Rn certificiation and you plan on becoming a flight nurse,then getting your EMT-P would be helpfull.

I'm proud of the traiing and the experience I got as a Paramedic. But I can't be both at the same time.

RNCENCCRNNREMTP · Aug 28, 2004

Guys I hate to tell you this but you can't "Mix" skills for the two. You can only use the skills that are in the scope of practice for the job you are in.
After being a Paramedic for 25 years, I finally realized, that I am and always will be now a nurse. Fortunatly I live in a state that allows RN's to work pre-hospital.
Now as to the training, by all means if your state does'nt have a pre-hosptial Rn certificiation and you plan on becoming a flight nurse,then getting your EMT-P would be helpfull.
I'm proud of the traiing and the experience I got as a Paramedic. But I can't be both at the same time.

I have been able to succesfully mix the two. I have a practice agreement within my ED with the ED physicians. I am allowed to use my medic skills in the ED under their direction. Certainly not as independent as a street medic who is using a protocol driven practice but still using the skills I have earned and acquired.

I wrote the agreement and did so very stringently. I built in a number of obligations on my part to be allowed to continue the practice and it was signed by me, all of the ED physicians and the ED nursing director.

Andrew J, RN, CEN, CCRN, NREMT-P

ACNP Student

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Aug 28, 2004

Out of curiosity what things are you doing that a staff nurse couldn't do with the appriate training, policies and standing orders?

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Aug 28, 2004

In my ER, I run codes, central lines, intubate, suture (after the provider has seen it and writent orders) all withing the nursing scope of practice. I use medication based on standing orders that I never gave as a medic.

RNCENCCRNNREMTP · Aug 28, 2004

In my ER, I run codes, central lines, intubate, suture (after the provider has seen it and writent orders) all withing the nursing scope of practice. I use medication based on standing orders that I never gave as a medic.

I am doing what you are doing, only staff who are "just" nurses are not allowed to do those things. I have been allowed to use my medic skills while working as an ER nurse following approved agreements and protocols.

We use medics in our ED and they too can use their medic skills but are limited to medications they would use on the ambulance.

So again, I have the best of both worlds. I am working an an ER nurse but am also allowed to use the skills covered by my medic certification.

I would like to see a copy of your nursing scope of practice. It sounds a great deal more extensive than ours.

Thanks,

Andrew