RN to Paramedic Bridge Course

Specialties Flight

Published

I'm wondering if any of you might know of a RN to Paramedic bridge course. I'd like to get my certification as a Paramedic, but don't want to have to through a whole year of school to do it! Let me know if you can help!

Specializes in ED, Flight.
had[/b] intubated a patient but there are a few times when I wish that I [b']hadn't[/b].

Isn't THAT the truth! Thanks for that great observation.

Good judgement about airway management is the hardest skill to develop and maintain. It requires good training and occasional retraining and plain old experiences.

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Specializes in ED, EMS.

I just graduated with my RN waiting to take boards. I was a former LPN and EMT. Anyone know of a RN-Paramedic program in Ohio? I feel I am qualified for advanced placement with my experience. Thanks in advance. Good luck all.:up:

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What do you mean by advanced placement? Trust me, give your self some time to transition into the role of RN before taking on a big task like paramedic school. Your LPN experience will help; however, you should still expect at least several months of adjusting.

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"Should you get a chance" ???

Please don't tell me there are ANY programs graduating medics without at least a week and ten or fifteen tubes in the OR. That's just to start getting a feel for it! Instruction under the watchful tutelage of an anesthesiologist in controlled conditions is essential to start, and needs to be repeated every year to stay sharp! Where we do yearly rotations, the docs also make sure that we're simply proficient with basic management. Good bagging technique isn't always so simple to accomplish, yet it is the most important of all our skills.

I train on mannikins for scenarios pretty often. It doesn't compare to a real airway. It doesn't look the same and it doesn't feel the same and it doesn't barf the same.

You can take short-cuts on almost any other clinicals (OB is kind of hard to get an idea without 'being there'), but a program that doesn't put students through the OR is irresponsible.

That's my :twocents:.

Our program did rotation through the OR and clinical with Respiratory Therapy as well. I have heard of programs doing a rotation through NICU but I have yet to run into someone who has intubated a neonate in rotation.

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I just graduated with my RN waiting to take boards. I was a former LPN and EMT. Anyone know of a RN-Paramedic program in Ohio? I feel I am qualified for advanced placement with my experience. Thanks in advance. Good luck all.:up:

I am unaware of any programs that offer advanced placement.

I believe Florida will allow an RN with a a current EMT and ACLS to seek licensure -- From the DOH --> "A Florida licensed physician, dentist, or registered nurse may apply for certification as a paramedic and subsequently challenge the paramedic exam, provided he/she holds a Florida EMT certificate which is current and in good standing."

You are required to submit a copy of your current Florida license or registration. Once a Florida Paramedic you can take the National Exam. There is a practical for the National so anyone seeking certification will have to prove practical...you will have to prove you can practice at an advanced level.

Paramedic is a different discipline...as different as LPN is to RN. I have encountered RNs that for some reason feel that RN = Paramedic. Certification as a Paramedic is not about levels of education. One is either trained or untrained. RN does not qualify as a Paramedic...neither does EMT or LPN...The same holds true for Paramedic does not = RN... JD does not equal MD. This is not just my opinon, it is a matter of fact. Research rules and regs under DOT - DOH Paramedic certifcation and you will find the same answer in each state...except for Florida...that is...if you want to be a Paramedic then you must train to be a Paramedic.

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Specializes in ED, EMS.

Now at a local community college I contacted in my state of Ohio they do offer advance placement for RN's. The director of the program informed me not only do you have to be a current RN but that having your EMT-B is a prerequisite to the program (Columbus State Community College).

I understand the role differences are huge and in no way expected to just be able to sit for the National Registry without any formal training. Paramedics and RNs are night and day when it comes to scope of practices prehospitally and in a formal hospital setting. By obtaining a medic license I think it would just make an RN more marketable for ground or air transport career down the road.

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In regards to the first post, the initial reason this post began...I am an RN with 4 years experience in the ED. Roughly two years ago I did take the Creighton RN to EMT-P bridge course. I loved it!! They require ACLS, PALS, TNCC and EMT-B prior to acceptance. It last 2 weeks and was very intense. We did class during the day and ride alongs during the evening with Omaha. In the end I belive I ended up paying $5,000 for tuition, books, airfare, room and board at a local hotel. Let me know if you have any questions....

Good Luck!

http://www2.creighton.edu/ems/

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Specializes in ER; CCT.

Wow. 2 weeks of training from RN to paramedic. I wonder if that includes working lunches. Sure glad they require that TNCC course which has nothing to do with field prehospital medicine. But then again, neither does nursing. I wonder if there is a 2 week program paramedics can take to become an RN if they have a CNA ticket since its all the same anyway. Anything to make a buck I guess.

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wow. 2 weeks of training from rn to paramedic. i wonder if that includes working lunches. sure glad they require that tncc course which has nothing to do with field prehospital medicine. but then again, neither does nursing. i wonder if there is a 2 week program paramedics can take to become an rn if they have a cna ticket since its all the same anyway. anything to make a buck i guess.

distance education rocks - work smart - not hard.:banghead:

adn, regents college, distance ed - class of 1994

bsn, indiana state university, distance ed - class of 2007

msn-fnp, univ. of southern indiana, distance ed - class of 2009

i have heard the same thing about about distance learning programs. i personally disagree, but i have heard nurses deride those who recieved their degree online, or in a distance learning program. since i have never really looked at the curriculuum or requirements, i am more inclined to judge somebody on their knowledge and abilities.

given your training, you may have encountered this prejudice.

hherrn

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Slight difference in taking a two week course versus a several month or longer distance learning course?

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Huge difference.- I have nothing against distance learning, or anyone who takes distance learning course. Be silly if I did, since I did some of my prereqs on line, tested out of others.

Some similarities, in that both:

  • Are an alternate aproach
  • Are accredited
  • Result in the opportunity to test for a license
  • Are usually spoken well of by people who have participated in them
  • Are sometimes considered inferior, or an unfair shortcut, by people who have not participated in them

I have heard distance learning for nursing derided. I personally disagree, and am more inclined to judge on performance, rather than how somebody got got their degree.

I am not really familiar with Creighton's course. AFAIK, in addition to the two weeks, they require EMT, various certifications, and two years criical/ER experience. Then, the graduate has to pass the same test as any other medic. At that point, the person is an entry level paramedic.

Does this program actually turn out less competent medics than other programs? It's been a while since I read this whole thread, but I don't recall anybody having having any bad experiences with graduates of this program. At least not at a higher rate than any other program.

hhern

I am intersted in this thread because I have considered this course. My experience includes:

  • 5 years ER/critical care experience (more by the time I would take it)
  • TNCC
  • CCRN
  • ACLS
  • PALS
  • 10 years ski patrol at a high volume mountain
  • EMT- cerified for 20 years, several years active vollunteer and paid
  • Outdoor Emergency Care- instructor
  • Wilderness First Responder- former instructor
  • Swiftwater rescue- instructor
  • Rock climbing instructor with a bit of technical rescue training.

I have a lot of experience assesing and packaging pt's in challenging environments.

I feel like this course might be a good option for me. I feel that if I was to graduate from this course, my competency would compare well to other entry level paramedics.

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Specializes in Emergency room, Flight, Pre-hospital.

Hey hherrn,

I took this course in october 07' And I actually had someone from ski patrol in my class. I thought it was a very well run course, they built on what we already knew. It was very intense, a full 2 weeks from 9am- 11pm every day and 7a-11p on the weekend, also 2 OR days that started at 6am. Most of the other RN's had worked the road for an amount of time before taking the class, and we were all there for our own reasons, but all of us it was to further our knowledge in our careers. As someone else said it is pretty expensive, but I found well worth it. I took the NREMT-P and passed first time, they did a very good job. I hope this helps :)

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