Rn to EMT-P

suzanne4, RN · Apr 9, 2005

There are bridge programs available. There are already multiple threads on this topic, please just do a search........

suzanne4, RN · Apr 9, 2005

There already is the same question asked just further down the page. Please check it out and see if you can find your answer there.

CEN35 · Apr 9, 2005

In Ohio, you don't have to go back to school. You can be tested out and bypass the schooling. They consider RN a higher level. The only thing you might need some help with is intubation. However, not all states are the same.

edogs334 · Apr 9, 2005

[iI work in a level 2 trauma center. When I went through my orientation we had to ride with the paramedics, to get a tatse of the other side. I really enjoyed it. I am an RN, but have considered going back to school for my EMT-P. Has anyone done this? What are the pros and cons? What is the best way to go about doing it?
Thanks for your advice!

It's great that your ER made you ride along with an ambulance crew to see what they do and what they go through. I'm glad you liked it. Like CEN said, there are bridge programs and "Pre-Hospital RN" certifications in some states. Other states have regulations in place whereby RN's who are EMT-Basics can "challenge" the paramedic or EMT-Intermediate exam. Still other states have no such provisions and make RN's go through EMT and medic school like everyone else. What state do you live in? Check with your state Office of Emergency Medical Services to see if they have RN to Paramedic provisions in place. To find the website of your state OEMS, go to http://www.nremt.org and click on "EMT's and Candidates" on the upper middle menu bar. Then click on "state offices," which should be on the left-hand menu bar. Select the state you are in an a link should pop up.

As other people have said on this site, it is best for most people (even RN's) to get their EMT-Basic certification first and get at least 6 months (if not a year) of BLS experience before going ALS. BTW, states that have the above provisions will usually let RN's challenge the EMT-B, too. The reason I say this is because there is just so much you learn from simply working on an ambulance (how to lift the stretcher, how to operate a stair chair, how to drive the ambulance- believe me, it's confusing if you're not used to driving large vehicles). Not being a primary ALS crew member right away will allow you time to get used to a very different environment (even if you already know a lot of ALS assess/tx) It's not rocket science, but if you don't have the essential basics down pat, you're going to have a really hard time doing it . You are already an ER RN, so you probably have the basic ABC's of assessment and treatment down pat. At the very least, ride along with your area paramedics on a regular basis before challenging the P-exam and becoming a primary ALS crew member.

Aneroo, LPN · Apr 10, 2005

As an EMT-B who is about to finish with nursing school, I cannot resist the urge to post on this. I'm in North Carolina, who no longer has a bridge course. As much as I want my paramedic, I am all for RN's having to go the full course. There is so much there that is not covered in nursing school (c-spine, how to get someone out of a car without snapping their spine in half, ambulance operations, ETT's...). However, some things could be gone without (iv's, vs's). -Andrea

emergencyrmnurse · Apr 11, 2005

Will a paramedic license transfer to any state like my nursing license will?

RoxanRN · Apr 11, 2005

Will a paramedic license transfer to any state like my nursing license will?

Each state has their own reciprocity requirements. You will need to check with each individual state.

Check out this site http://www.emsmagazine.com/SURVEY/index.html

Peg804 · Apr 14, 2005

I am an HP (PHRN) in PA.I challenged the course. I was also an emt since I was 16 yrs old. I would recommend that you take an EMT basic course, if you are trully going to work the streets. you need to know how to immobilize a patient, how the extricate them, you need haz mat, perhaps vehilce rescue, etc. It is not as easy as it sounds. I see nurses who say they want to challenge, and I cringe. They have no idea what they are infor. think about it 3 am on the interstate in a snow storm, victim entrapped, you are the lone als provider for who ever is in that van trapped under the semi. Make sure before you challenge that you know what you are infor, cause, guess what, you are on you own out there, GEt as much prehospital training as you can, there are mandatory course you must pass, federally mandated- haz mat r I, I recommend operations level, basic vehicle rescue, advanced if you can find the course. PHTLS or BTLS, ACLS If I can help you in any way let me know, Just. please, make sure you are prepared.

jasonglh · Apr 14, 2005

Depends on why you want to get your Paramedic. If you want to do it on the side or do some flight nursing I say sure. But if you are an RN I do not suggest EMS as a long term career choice. Its very hard physical work and its not an if you get hurt its when. Go over to EMS and take a hard look at some of the Medics on year 20 hobbling around. I did it 7 years before my spine bought the farm and enjoyed it. But I could see before that I was not going to be able to make it a career financially or physically. Luckily I had already gotten most of my classes to start RN when I got hurt.

They dont let EMT-P's challenge RN boards so I dont see why the Medic boards should allow RN's to challenge theirs. I had been and EMT for 10 years when I let it go in Dec, now I am finishing 2nd semester RN.

The schools are totally unrelated. EMT and EMT-P are heavy on skills and RN school as not been at all to me. If an RN has a background in ER and has had ATLS, ACLS, PALS it would help I agree. In our BTLS classes the RNs from ER took it with us but its all taught from a pre-hospital stand point so I often wondered why they had to take it.

I would not want a shake n bake Medic or RN working on me.