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?!?!?!

Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
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.

As I said, individual states have different laws. I was speaking specifically to NREMT, not reciprocity. Challenging an EMT-P exam in Florida is not considered having attended a Paramedic training program for the purposes of NREMT.

To clarify further, for those that may not know the difference, NREMT is not the same as state licensing.

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.

You should check the specific requirements for whatever state you are interested in transferring the license to. I am not familiar with state laws other than my own, which would not allow the Florida challenged license to transfer. Other states, as TraumaSurfer mentioned, do have mechanisms in place for this.

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As I said, individual states have different laws. I was speaking specifically to NREMT, not reciprocity. Challenging an EMT-P exam in Florida is not considered having attended a Paramedic training program for the purposes of NREMT.

To clarify further, for those that may not know the difference, NREMT is not the same as state licensing.

I think you did not read what I quoted. The RN can be qualified to take the NREMT (Paramedic). If the state says the RN meets the equivalent requirements, the RN can take the NREMT. Most states will respect this equivalency with the NREMT and allow reciprocity.

The tricky part is some states use their own titles such as in Tennessee which uses EMT-IV.

Interesting link

http://www.nasemso.org/NewsAndPublications/News/documents/NASEMSOsurvey051208.pdf

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
I think you did not read what I quoted. The RN can be qualified to take the NREMT (Paramedic). If the state says the RN meets the equivalent requirements, the RN can take the NREMT. Most states will respect this equivalency with the NREMT and allow reciprocity.

The tricky part is some states use their own titles such as in Tennessee which uses EMT-IV.

Interesting link

http://www.nasemso.org/NewsAndPublications/News/documents/NASEMSOsurvey051208.pdf

I did read what you posted. In fact, I believe the converse is true. Please fully review my posts if you intend to contradict my statements.

State guidelines do not trump NREMT guidelines. NREMT, or National Registry, is not the same thing as state licensing. The very link that you posted proves that state laws vary widely from state to state.

State licensure as a Paramedic does not guarantee eligibility to sit for the NREMT. I think that you are missing the fundamental difference between state licensing and National Registry, and that difference is this: they are not the same.

What we are talking about here is sitting for the Florida EMT-P exam, based on the fact that one is an RN with an EMT license. You can do this. However, you cannot sit for the NREMT-P exam based on these credentials. For NREMT-P, you must have completed a Paramedic training program. An RN program is not a Paramedic training program, and typically does not meet or exceed DOT requirements for a Paramedic program.

Please review this link, which I posted previously, if you are unfamiliar with the requirements to sit for the NREMT-P exam: https://www.nremt.org/nremt/about/reg_para_history.asp#Entry_Requirements

Successful completion of a state-approved EMT-Paramedic / Paramedic course that meets or exceeds the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Paramedic National Standard Curriculum.

Just because a state allows you to sit for EMT-P, that does not qualify you to sit for NREMT-P.

Now, Creighton University's program is a different story. Creighton is a state-approved program that allows one to sit for NREMT-P because it meets or exceeds DOT requirements. That has nothing to do with the Florida EMT-P scenario.

tl;dr: Eligibility to sit for state EMT-P licensing does not guarantee eligibility to sit for NREMT-P licensing.

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I did read what you posted. In fact, I believe the converse is true. Please fully review my posts if you intend to contradict my statements.

State guidelines do not trump NREMT guidelines. NREMT, or National Registry, is not the same thing as state licensing. The very link that you posted proves that state laws vary widely from state to state.

State licensure as a Paramedic does not guarantee eligibility to sit for the NREMT. I think that you are missing the fundamental difference between state licensing and National Registry, and that difference is this: they are not the same.

What we are talking about here is sitting for the Florida EMT-P exam, based on the fact that one is an RN with an EMT license. You can do this. However, you cannot sit for the NREMT-P exam based on these credentials. For NREMT-P, you must have completed a Paramedic training program. An RN program is not a Paramedic training program, and typically does not meet or exceed DOT requirements for a Paramedic program.

Please review this link, which I posted previously, if you are unfamiliar with the requirements to sit for the NREMT-P exam: https://www.nremt.org/nremt/about/reg_para_history.asp#Entry_Requirements

Just because a state allows you to sit for EMT-P, that does not qualify you to sit for NREMT-P.

Now, Creighton University's program is a different story. Creighton is a state-approved program that allows one to sit for NREMT-P because it meets or exceeds DOT requirements. That has nothing to do with the Florida EMT-P scenario.

tl;dr: Eligibility to sit for state EMT-P licensing does not guarantee eligibility to sit for NREMT-P licensing.

The part you quoted is for entry level brand newbies with ZERO other medical training. Read what I quoted from California. Also look up the other states which allow RNs to take the NREMT-P exam and get that certification which then qualifies them for state licensure. The RNs who have completed the 2 week Creighton course along with other very short bridge courses have had no problem taking the NREMT-P exam for certification and licensure in most states.

Creighton is not the "full" Paramedic course. It is only 2 weeks and it still meets or exceeds the DOT standards because of the education of the RN. No entry level state Paramedic program is only 2 weeks in length although some are close.

Paramedic Certification for Healthcare Providers | EMS Education

No RN with critical care and emergency experience should ever have to sit through the oversimplified A&P and basic pharmacology of the Paramedic course or "learn to start an IV the EMS way".

Why do you continue to disagree on something which is so easily looked up by the states? If the state has reviewed the RN's record and has given the paperwork for the RN to take the NREMT-P, the NREMT-P has no problem. Many states are not picky either for entry Paramedic certs since most programs are at Paramedic mills and you can get your clinical hours in around the coffee pot or sleeping. Only a few actually require a specific number of patient contacts. To this date there are no requirements for doing intubations or IVs on actual patients. Some just to the manikins and graduate to take the NREMT.

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
Why do you continue to disagree on something which is so easily looked up by the states? If the state has reviewed the RN's record and has given the paperwork for the RN to take the NREMT-P, the NREMT-P has no problem.

Are you serious? All of that, and you still don't get the difference between state EMT-P licensing and NREMT-P.

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Are you serious? All of that, and you still don't get the difference between state EMT-P licensing and NREMT-P.

Murse, what are you arguing about? Your quote of traumasurfer is about NR certification, not state licensing. He says that many states will review the training/education of an RN, and then send authorization to test to National Registry.

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
Murse, what are you arguing about? Your quote of traumasurfer is about NR certification, not state licensing. He says that many states will review the training/education of an RN, and then send authorization to test to National Registry.

Repeat after me: Eligibility for state licensure is not the same as eligibility for National Registry.

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Didn't understand that. Can you REPEAT YOURSELF AGAIN.

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
Didn't understand that. Can you REPEAT YOURSELF AGAIN.
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Are you serious? All of that, and you still don't get the difference between state EMT-P licensing and NREMT-P.

Repeat after me: Eligibility for state licensure is not the same as eligibility for National Registry.

I have posted links. I have quoted from the links. I don't know how many more ways I can come up with to make this easier so you can understand it.

The NREMT is an organization which most states use to give their EMS exams including the Paramedics. The NREMT essentially tests at the very basic minimum standards for each test to make it fair to the states which only require the bare minimum of the US DOT National Standards for the curriculum. Some states feel 600 hours are enough for Paramedic while others might want 1000 - 1200. One state wants the equivalent of an Associates degree and one states sorta wants that. Regardless of the number of hours for the minimum requirement, the test is the same for Paramedic no matter how many hours of training. A few states few the NREMT tests at a standard too low for their liking so they use their own state test for Paramedic.

Once you take either the NREMT or a state test which "certifies" you have met the bare minimum for testing knowledge, you apply to the state for a license or an official certification to work as a Paramedic in this state. Just having the NREMT certification alone does NOT allow you to work in that state.

I posted a link which describes how many states allow for other professionals such as RNs to obtain their Paramedic license without going through the whole Paramedic program which usually are not taught at a college level. If a state reviews the RNs applications and feels that person has met all the educational requirements and whatever additional things like all the weekend certs and school accreditation along with some ride time, the state may have an agreement with the NREMT to allow this person to test for the Paramedic exam. This again is only a certifying exam to test a basic knowledge. I repeat, again, the NREMT does not provide the license but merely contracts with states to provide a test to those who meet the requirements for Paramedic in that state. The NREMT also has a few requirements like being 18 y/o to take the test which for Paramedic that is the same in all states. The states which allow 16 y/o to test for EMT-B will use their own state exam.

The RN who holds a BSN and has over 1000 hours of just clinical experience in school along with a couple years of experience in the ICU and/or ED along with about 40 hours of extra skills training and a few states want 40 ALS patient contacts by far exceeds what some Paramedics get for education and training. It is not uncommon for a Paramedic student to not have any intubations or IV sticks on a live patient. Some Paramedics may not see 40 patients in a year depending on where they live so their clinicals might just be killing time at an ambulance or fire station.

But, again, the NREMT is an organization which is contracted to provide a test...period. The NREMT does not license. It can also make an agreement with each state to test a professional whom the state feels have met the minimum requirements to be a Paramedic. With the wide variations in EMS education throughout the US, this is only reasonable.

Read the NREMT website and the different state EMS sites which myself and others have stated as allowing RNs to bridge relatively easily to Paramedic.

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