what's my best course of action?

Specialties Flight

Published

OK...My goal is to eventually be a flight RN. Because of financial issues, I was going to get my LPN first, then my EMT-P, and then work my way to my RN.

I understand there are flight crews that utilize paramedics, so my question is- Should I...

a) Scrap the LPN idea (thus saving myself $7,000), go ahead and get my EMT-P and work as a paramedic (in order to gain the requisite pre-hospital emergency experience) and try to get on a flight team as a paramedic and then work into my RN?

or

b) Go ahead with the LPN ($7,000 and 10 months), then get my EMT-P, then work into my RN?

I am leaning toward the first option, but those of you working in the flight aspect of nursing might have a different opinion and/or ideas. Or be able to point me to resources that might answer my question.

I really appreciate it, y'all!:)

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Dude,

Forget the LPN. I would recommend going to an ADN RN program or paramedic. The training is very different but both can lead to flying as a career. As an RN you can get experience in ER or ICU which is a prerequisite for flight nursing (usually 3-5 years minimum plus a lot of extra courses). Nurses are in demand and are making pretty good salaries.

However, if you crave the prehospital stuff, becoming a medic would be a good idea. Most RPs need at least 3-5 years of street experience before they can think about becoming a flight medic. This experience also has to be in a high volume area.

Whatever route you decide to take, don't let $$ be the deciding factor as to what to do. You can always get student loans. There are a lot of incentives out there now for many nursing schools due to the nursing shortage. I hope this helps. Good luck.

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I agree with TraumaRN totally. I am a Paramedic and have been flying full and part-time for the last year. Get your RN first, the pay is better and you may decide to go into a different specialty. To get hired with a flight program you'll need ER, ICU, or specialized pediatric (NICU, PICU) experience. Feel free to PM me.:cool:

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Trauma, Flight, EMS.

I concur with the previous pposts. As I have only been nursing for about two years, I won'claim to know everything from that side. However, having been a rescue specialist in the military for 18 years, I will say that nursing opens doors if you know what to say before you knock on it. I have been involved in civilian SAR and critical care transport and find that pre-hospital helps to get the patient into the aircraft and RN(ICU/ER) gets them to definitive care.

Samuel Clemens(Mark Twain):"I never let schooling interfere with my education"

Hope this helps

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