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?!?!?!

Wait. One more question. :)

What are your plans for utilizing your new EMT-P license?

0 Votes

Jrutan,

You may want to look at the following web site, it has a lot of good infromation and advice it may help you in your quest...

FlightWeb - For Air Medical Professionals

0 Votes
Specializes in ED, trauma.

In Florida, RNs are able to challenge the EMT-P exam if they already hold an EMT-B.

This is the route I am going for now.

I am a new grad BSN, but I do want to pursue flight nursing later in my career. So I have decided to complete my EMT-B, and challenge the EMT-P exam in 2014 and maintain both skill sets to carry with me throughout my career. I have met a few people who are doing the same thing as well.

0 Votes
Specializes in Trauma 4yr Flight 8mn.

Just a quick addition... If and when you choose to fly, are you staying in your current state or would you be willing to relocate? If your willing to relocate, you should look at national registry for your paramedic. If you find a program that requires the RN to also be a paramedic, having national registry is a must. Ems is not like nursing where you can find a compact state, fill out some papers and change your patch. My flight program requires RN to also be EMT P that and it will make you more marketable.

0 Votes

Interesting about Florida. I did some research. Florida allows you to sit for the National Registry exam, and then gives you a FL license. So you do end up with a NR cert. As I live in the Southwest, I looked at the states in my region to see if they would accept that and issue a reciprocal license, and the answer is mostly yes.

Still, I can't think of any reasons to go RN ---> Paramedic other than the rare flight service that requires dual licensing. Do ANY of them require dual licensing? I think that studying for CEN, CFRN, or CCRN would be more beneficial.

0 Votes
Specializes in Trauma 4yr Flight 8mn.

See my post. My service requires their RN to be dual certified. Also the skills you will learn are invaluable. It also helps out when you apply. I can't tell you how many fantastic icu nurses come to my program and can't manage a screen, continual struggle with intubation ect

0 Votes
Specializes in ED, trauma.
Just a quick addition... If and when you choose to fly are you staying in your current state or would you be willing to relocate? If your willing to relocate, you should look at national registry for your paramedic. If you find a program that requires the RN to also be a paramedic, having national registry is a must. Ems is not like nursing where you can find a compact state, fill out some papers and change your patch. My flight program requires RN to also be EMT P that and it will make you more marketable.[/quote']

I plan on challenging the NREMT-P exam. From my understanding, that in order to do that, I have to be an EMT-B first in Florida. I definitely plan to relocate. As a new grad, I'm actually considering relocating just to get ED and/or ICU experience. But while I have the time, I'm trying to knock this EMT-B and NREMT-P stuff out of the way. I know it will be good for me down the road.

Any idea if I can use CEUs towards both? Like, if I renew ACLS, can I use the hours towards both licenses? That seems like it will be the challenge actually. Keeping all these licenses active and acquiring hours in both fields to gain a stronger foundation of experience level.

0 Votes
Specializes in ED, trauma.
Interesting about Florida. I did some research. Florida allows you to sit for the National Registry exam, and then gives you a FL license. So you do end up with a NR cert. As I live in the Southwest, I looked at the states in my region to see if they would accept that and issue a reciprocal license, and the answer is mostly yes.

Still, I can't think of any reasons to go RN ---> Paramedic other than the rare flight service that requires dual licensing. Do ANY of them require dual licensing? I think that studying for CEN, CFRN, or CCRN would be more beneficial.

Florida was to do away with the challenge in 2013, but has extended it to 2014 now. So I'm trying to get in before the changes are made.

0 Votes
Specializes in Trauma 4yr Flight 8mn.

In Texas, yes you can acls to renew both. Just make a note for your self to keep it all straight

0 Votes
Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
I plan on challenging the NREMT-P exam.

A point of clarification here. You will be able to challenge the Florida EMT-P exam for licensure, but you will not be able to challenge the NREMT-P (National Registry). To get NREMT-P, you will need to have completed an actual Paramedic training program. See https://www.nremt.org/nremt/about/reg_para_history.asp

Now, depending on what state you plan on transferring, you may be able to get reciprocity, depending on state laws. Tennessee, for example, requires the candidate to have completed a training program before they will issue a TN EMT-P license, so the Florida challenged EMT-P license won't work.

Just something to consider, depending on your future plans.

0 Votes
A point of clarification here. You will be able to challenge the Florida EMT-P exam for licensure, but you will not be able to challenge the NREMT-P (National Registry). To get NREMT-P, you will need to have completed an actual Paramedic training program. See

Just something to consider, depending on your future plans.

The NREMT part is not exactly true. A state can verify that an RN has met the equivalent training to test for Paramedic.

Note:

Once the EMS Authority has reviewed and approved the above documentation, you will be sent verification to submit with your National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Application that you have completed the equivalent training of a paramedic program.

This is directly from California's website. Other states also have similar statements. The Creighton University bridge course is short and definitely qualifies an RN to take the NREMT without going through the entire Paramedic course.

0 Votes
Specializes in ED, trauma.

A point of clarification here. You will be able to challenge the Florida EMT-P exam for licensure, but you will not be able to challenge the NREMT-P (National Registry). To get NREMT-P, you will need to have completed an actual Paramedic training program. See https://www.nremt.org/nremt/about/reg_para_history.asp

Now, depending on what state you plan on transferring, you may be able to get reciprocity, depending on state laws. Tennessee, for example, requires the candidate to have completed a training program before they will issue a TN EMT-P license, so the Florida challenged EMT-P license won't work.

Just something to consider, depending on your future plans.

My understanding of it from our medical director is that we challenge the Florida EMT-P and then account for the hands on hours through a clinical component so we are eligible to apply for the NREMT-P exam. I guess it's a sort of "bridge" program in that the clinical component is all skills.

Helps to get that hands on stuff practiced before you are licensed to intubate when you have never touched a patient. Haha. I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea of it, but sitting through school for another 2 years for a paramedic program just seems so draining right now.

This challenge/bridge route just seems much more appealing. I end up self-studying anyway, as I'm not an auditory learner, lectures just seem like a misuse of my time when I could be practicing skills or working. Is a challenge or bridge program acceptable to flight programs? Or are they sort of "frowned upon" in these circles?

Also, I wasn't aware that a challenged EMT license would not be valid in other states! That's disheartening. I was doing this so I could move and possible chase my flight nursing dreams! So is doing this EMT-B program a waste of time??? Should I just wait and do a bridge program? I don't want to challenge the EMT-P if its not going to be of any benefit to me outside of Florida.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment