EMT-b going for lpn, will it be somewhat easier?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Oct 14, 2013

Your familiarity with anatomy and (to a degree) medical terminology will be helpful. But EMT and nursing are completely different disciplines, and so I would expect it to be somewhat MORE difficult- as you have to change your manner of thinking about the concept of 'care'

Good luck in your studies. I started out as an LPN!

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Oct 17, 2013

I was an EMT prior to being an LPN. I think the answer to your question depends on what you have done with your EMT. if you took the class and worked for a transport company...well you have seen the anatomy stuff before and EMT training focuses a lot on prioritization and sequencing. I found the NCLEX style questions weren't so different from my EMT finals, a lot of what to do first, and learning not to read to much into the question. I found nursing full assessments were somewhat close to a full trauma assessment, at least in that I learnt to work head to toe and then just categorized the data. I worked and volunteered with some very aggressive and smart paramedics who expected a lot out of their basics. By the time I got to LPN training I had learnt a lot on the job. EKG interpretation, disease processes, and a lot of other things were pretty easy for me because my medics had spent hours bringing me up to speed on why they did things. My preceptor on the ambulance was also a fan of across the room assessment and data gathering, it was useful in the field and still is useful in my nursing career, it's astonishing what you can observe without even touching your patent as you walk across the room.

CrazyGoonRN · Oct 17, 2013

A friend in my LPN program was also a paramedic who's license didn't transfer from another state. She was the go to person in our class. She knew much more than everyone else. I think it will help you a lot.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 17, 2013

There will be some things that experience as an EMT will help with. The physical part of doing physical exams and obtaining vital signs. You'll also have some increased level of comfort meeting & greeting someone you've never met before compared to some of your peers. You should have some idea of prioritization and whatnot, but... EMT/Paramedic and LVN/RN are very different disciplines. Outside of what I just outlined, you won't get much that will transfer over and help you.

My suggestion is that you not only take any needed prerequisites for LVN, but also those for RN. If you decide to go further and become an RN, you'll have much less to do before enrolling in an RN program. If you stay an LVN, it'll help you make decisions that you need to make. It'll also help you as an EMT because you'll have a better understanding about why certain things are done and the physiology/pathophysiology behind many of the diseases/health complaints you'll see and therefore make better decisions about what to do.

Will EMT or Paramedic help you get a job? Not directly. Those aren't "nursing" jobs.