Interested in an RN to Medic Bridge Program

Specialties Flight

Published

I am interested in a RN-Medic bridge program. I am currently licensed as an RN in MI and OH and am a Nationally Registered EMT-B with a MI License. My career goal is a flight nurse and i am well aware i have along ways to go i have only been a nurse for just over a year. Started with a year of Home Care now i work at a correctional facility. I have tried to get into an ER but i keep getting told " I just dont have the experience yet" SOOO while i continue with my RN experience i would like to continue my education and get my medic.

Any suggestions or advise?!?!?!

Here is an accelerated bridge program:

Events | EMS Education

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
Here is an accelerated bridge program:

Events | EMS Education

I'll give a +1 for Creighton's program. I went through Creighton for their Nurse-to-EMTB program and will go back in May for their Nurse-to-Paramedic program. Nurse-to-Paramedic is only two weeks, but you have to already have 2 years' critical care plus your alphabet soup of certifications.

My advice would be to get into the ER or ICU as soon as possible. If one hospital is telling you no, then go to another. If they're saying you don't have enough experience, you will never get there with home health or correctional experience. Get into a good tele or stepdown unit and go from there. Your #1 goal right now should be to get into ICU or ER if you're interested in this career path.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

@Murse901...what kind of prep did you have to do for the Creighton EMT-B for RN's course? I'm looking at taking it in March, and want to know what I'm getting myself into. Were you able to get all of your calls in during the time, or did you have to do more after the class?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good question, I'd like to know about the clinical calls too...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.

For EMT-B, there is no required minimum number of calls, so it was not a problem. I didn't really do any prep. There is an Emergency Care manual for the class, but everything was covered during the course. As a nurse, you already know more than you need to know for an EMT-B course -- you just need to learn how to apply it prehospital, which is what they teach you. There are some skills that are taught in the class that you may not have learned in nursing school, but they aren't difficult to master.

Paramedic is a different story, because you do have to have I believe 50 patient contacts as a team leader, which you probably won't be able to get in 2 weeks. From what I understand, Creighton will assist in placing you with local EMS agencies after your class to get your 50 contacts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

While I can't speak for Creighton specifically, I can speak to EMT and Paramedic training in general. EMT is basically glorified First Aid, with some extra stuff thrown in. It's relatively easy to learn and master that psychomotor stuff. You'll probably have a harder time remembering NOT to do certain things than to do them.

Paramedic is a very different way of thinking, compared to Nursing. Patients that are having trouble breathing aren't evaluated for "ineffective breathing patterns" or "ineffective gas exchange," rather you have to pin it down to asthma, COPD, pulmonary edema. It's more like the medical model. You also generally have to meet a certain number of "ALS" patient contacts, and that's usually defined as contacts where you do something beyond simple ECG monitoring or starting an IV line. Many times, that number is 40 or 50 or so, and you'd have to complete an internship with a Paramedic Preceptor, and that's usually 480 hours or so, minimum. Some states will allow Nurses, PA's, Physicians, etc to challenge the written and skills exams, and when you pass those and go on to complete the internship, will license you as a Paramedic.

Lastly, you have to be able to think on your feet and do it quickly. You have to come up with a viable treatment plan within the protocols you have. You don't have the luxury of calling the Rapid Response Team, Code Team, RT, or even 911... because you are IT.

I'm not saying that a Paramedic is better than a Nurse. While medicine is medicine, and the two share quite a few skills, they really are two different fields and it's probably best to NOT compare them directly.

I wish you all the best and I truly hope you're able to realize your dreams!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

Thanks for the info on Creighton. I'm hoping to take their March 2013 EMT-B course. I'm thinking about going through the Paramedic program eventually, but need to see what my state laws are. I've read you have to have a degree, so I'm not sure if a nursing degree with a Paramedic certification will count for the Oregon requirements.

As far as the differences between being an RN vs. Paramedic, I work in a small, critical access ER where as nurses we work from a medical/diagnostic model. I understand they are different fields, but we also have to rescue and stabilize people, and make quick decisions in the ER. Some of our sickest people come in POV, not by ambulance. We don't have a code/rapid response/trauma team. We are it. The supervisor will help, but as ER nurses, we are more skilled and experienced than most of the supervisors. We don't have RT or other ancillary services in-house after midnight, and often times start a code with 2 ER nurses and the doctor, with a lab tech helping until ancillary people arrive (RT, XR, CT).

I have BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, ENPC, TNCC, and PHTLS, as well as my CEN and CPEN. I think I'd do okay in the paramedic program. I don't compare nursing and paramedicine directly and think there needs to be less rivalry between the two fields.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
Thanks for the info on Creighton. I'm hoping to take their March 2013 EMT-B course. I'm thinking about going through the Paramedic program eventually, but need to see what my state laws are. I've read you have to have a degree, so I'm not sure if a nursing degree with a Paramedic certification will count for the Oregon requirements.

What you will likely have to do is get a Paramedic license from Nebraska and reciprocate into Oregon. That's what I had to do with my EMT-B license and that's what I believe I will have to do with EMT-P in Tennessee. The good news is, there is almost no cost for your Nebraska license. I had to pay a $25 application fee, but my renewals have been free.

Here is the information on reciprocity in Oregon: http://public.health.oregon.gov/PROVIDERPARTNERRESOURCES/EMSTRAUMASYSTEMS/EMSTRAININGCERTIFICATION/Pages/recip.aspx

From the wording, it looks like they will accept any degree, so long as you have at least an Associate's degree. It doesn't specify Paramedicine or Nursing or Basket Weaving. ;)

The administrator of the program, Mike Miller, is very familiar with reciprocity agreements with other states, and should have no problem assisting you with your Oregon licensure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I attended Creighton's RN to P program and brought 5 years high volume ICU experience. It was great with very long days. You basically head to the OR then class then ride time then bed x 14 days. I learned plenty and really enjoyed the experiece. The didactic portion is abridged because as an RN you already have A&P, pharmacology and significant experience. Don't let people fool you, there is no shorcut with regard to internship. I rode with a well respected hospital based program and they made sure I knew my stuff. I would suggest have a local agency lined up before heading out to Omaha.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

mtnflyr, good info, thanks for sharing. Do some people stay and get all of their experience in Omaha?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am not sure this is an option. I would call and ask. ***** or **** will be able to help you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks. I will call.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment