RN to Paramedic Bridge Course

Aneroo · Feb 04, 2004, 02:06 PM

IN regards to challenging, there is going to be some clinical time involved. Being a medic involves inserting ET tubes, and plenty of other advanced techinques that I know I'm not learning in nursing school. It was frustrating to me, when I took my EMT-I course what I was allowed to do as an EMT, but will not be able to do as an RN. I think the amount of responsiblity a medic has is enormous (I cannot spell today-forgive me) and they do no get the recognition they deserve. And for whoever said "they're only firemen"...Would you go into a burning house to save someone? These people are overworked and underpaid! I live in a rural community, where half the people are firemen and emt's. It's something they truely enjoy, and would love to make a career out of it, but cannot, b/c of the lack of opportunities. Alright...I'm done venting! -A

bchin · Feb 08, 2004, 04:41 PM

For those who have gone through Creighton University's accelerated RN to Paramedic course, what is your take on the intensive 2 week course?

I am considering enrolling into the program, but I have some concerns...

1) Approx how many hours of field experience (ambulance time)?
2) The number of patient contacts? and whether it is a suburban vs. urban experience?
3) Finally, do you feel confident in using the knowledge/skills you obtained in those 2 weeks to get you well-prepared in paramedicine?

Your thoughts much appreciated. Comments from others who have gone through similar tracks at other institutions are welcomed too. Thanks.

BC

PA-C in Texas · Mar 07, 2004, 05:41 PM

I really don't want to rain on anybody's parade, but the fact that someone can go to school for two weeks and walk out a Paramedic really frightens me. There are many advanced procedures Paramedics perform that I just don't believe two weeks can prepare you for. Are you ready to do a rapid sequence induction/intubation? Surgical airway? Needle thoracentesis? Pericardiocentesis? These are all things that many flight programs have in their protocols. I believe that the fields are separate and that proficiency in one does not necessarily denote proficiency in the other. I still maintain my paramedic license here in Texas, and I don't think any of you would be impressed if some college around here started a 2 week Paramedic to RN bridge course. Why? Because you recognize that it cannot be taught in that amount of time. That is the case here.

stargazer1956 · Mar 17, 2004, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by PA-C in Texas

I really don't want to rain on anybody's parade, but the fact that someone can go to school for two weeks and walk out a Paramedic really frightens me. There are many advanced procedures Paramedics perform that I just don't believe two weeks can prepare you for. Are you ready to do a rapid sequence induction/intubation? Surgical airway? Needle thoracentesis? Pericardiocentesis? These are all things that many flight programs have in their protocols. I believe that the fields are separate and that proficiency in one does not necessarily denote proficiency in the other. I still maintain my paramedic license here in Texas, and I don't think any of you would be impressed if some college around here started a 2 week Paramedic to RN bridge course. Why? Because you recognize that it cannot be taught in that amount of time. That is the case here.

I a also a Paramedic and there are a lot of things I still am uncomfortable with doing just because. I was amazed at how many shake and bake medics and emt are out there! Our local college has done the same thing, supposedly just as good as the whole course, etc. The other thing that amazed me was the number or individuals going straight to medic from emt without having been out in the field especially since field and hospital are so different!!!

We have a volunteer system here that keeps your CEU's up as long as you run, you get classes for free. SO how do you keep your certification? Do you run on the box?

*CraigB-RN* · Mar 18, 2004, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by PA-C in Texas

I really don't want to rain on anybody's parade, but the fact that someone can go to school for two weeks and walk out a Paramedic really frightens me. There are many advanced procedures Paramedics perform that I just don't believe two weeks can prepare you for. Are you ready to do a rapid sequence induction/intubation? Surgical airway? Needle thoracentesis? Pericardiocentesis? These are all things that many flight programs have in their protocols. I believe that the fields are separate and that proficiency in one does not necessarily denote proficiency in the other. I still maintain my paramedic license here in Texas, and I don't think any of you would be impressed if some college around here started a 2 week Paramedic to RN bridge course. Why? Because you recognize that it cannot be taught in that amount of time. That is the case here.

Bridge courses work if the selection process is valid. If the RN's have critical care experience or flight nurse experience, then yes they can do it in two weeks. If the RN's are med/surg staff nurses, then I wouldn't be very comfortable with them.

As long as the education abjectives are met, then who cares how long it takes, and yes that includes nursing school.

SMK1 · Mar 18, 2004, 01:53 PM

i have not real idea but maybe the reason it might take longer to bridge from paramedic to rn vs the other way around is that for acceptance into adn nursing schools chemistry and microbiology, nutrition chemistry is all required but the emt-p program does not require these (as well as the other gen ed. courses). The other sciences both groups take the same prerequesite courses. This is at least true in my area. So maybe the rational is that it shouldn't take RN's long to learn new procedures because they have a more extensive background education and should know the rational behind it? ( i have NO idea if this is true or not am just guessing what the reasons could be.) 2 weeks seems really short though to get comfortable with new procedures though, not to mention the fact that you will be doing a lot of your work in a fast moving vehicle!

kyutnurse · Mar 22, 2004, 09:17 PM

Trinity Valley Community College, based in Kaufman Texas is graduating the first paramedics to RN bridge. it's not just 2 weeks, it's muccccch longer than that!!!!
The Associate Degree Nursing pre requisites (about 8-9 classes, such as A&P, Psych's classes, Micro to name a few...) and then when you are accepted in the program it's trimester to bridge...If anybody is curious...please look at Trinity Valley's website for Paramedic to RN bridge. I am really proud of my paramedic classmates. We also have LVN to RN bridge program.
Ria =)

*CraigB-RN* · Mar 23, 2004, 08:56 AM

The selection criteria for the RN-Paramedic Bridge program requires nurses with some form of critical care experience, i.e. Flight Nurse, ICU, ER, etc. The vast majority already have the alphabet soup. ACLS, PALS, TNCC, PHTLS.

heatherbless · Mar 23, 2004, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by FFrnEMTP

sad to see that a registered nurse can't spell...
it's PARAMEDIC...with a D not a T.

ange

everyone has typos and makes mistakes--so get off your high horse. The OP was just asking for advice, not an english degree.

heather/

MAnders1405 · Mar 08, 2005, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by heatherbless

everyone has typos and makes mistakes--so get off your high horse. The OP was just asking for advice, not an english degree.

heather/

But this person did that same mistake twice. that's not a typo.

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RN to Paramedic Bridge Course

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