RN to EMT/Paramedic

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hi all,

I am hoping to find out the best and fastest route to becoming an EMT and eventually paramedic. I have my BSN and work as an RN. I have so much respect for our first responders and would like to do that on my off time. Any advice for how to get this?

Depends on your location. Some states have a relatively easy transition option for RN to Paramedic, others require you to do the entire program.

chare

4,232 Posts

The following allows you to bridge, however you need to obtain EMT-B certification first.

Paramedic Certification for Healthcare Providers | EMS Education

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Check with your local paramedic programs — some community colleges do an RN to paramedic bridge with EMT-B as a prerequisite. Also check with your state EMS and see if you are allowed to challenge the NRP exam. RN and paramedic have some overlap but are definitely different, so I recommend that you take the route that prepares you the most.

lebo2072

5 Posts

Wow I think that's fantastic! I went the opposite way (EMT, Paramedic to RN). I honestly have not clue about the course you have to take, but I bet you could challenge the EMT-B course, and probably do an abbreviated Paramedic course. Honestly the hardest trasnsition will be having to manage scenes and adapting to the environment of the call.

Good Luck!

Leigh

P.S. I would also contact your state's EMS agency, they can point you in the right direction~

foggnm

219 Posts

Have you considered doing flight nursing? At least where I live Paramedics generally make a lot less than RNs by sometimes up to 50%. I'd hate to see you go broke for a different but similar job. Flight nursing has that similar 1 patient transport thing. While it is not generally a 'first response,' you get to do a lot of critical care and focus on one person.

_zoubisoubisou_

303 Posts

Thanks everyone for the responses!

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