EMT Starting RN program anyone else go down this road? - Page 2

I graduated with an EMT, (former Navy Corpsman actually) and a couple firefighters. They were among the best students in the class. Absolutely rocked in clinical when others were shaking in their boots.

In my ADN class, there was a woman who was a paramedic-turned-nursing student. I remember being impressed with her IV starting skills and general knowledge, and she won the award for clinical excellence given out by my school. She also landed a job in a large trauma 1 ER pretty quickly after graduation. Your experiences will enhance your nursing skills. Yes, nursing is different than being a field medic or firefighter, but think of the edge you have on the new grads who have never even worked in any type of healthcare before. Best of luck to you!

Been an EMT-B for about 4 years prior to starting for my BSN. Similar situation. I am graduating this weekend. I agree with keeping it on the down low and not letting everyone know. It does make your journey a little harder when people find out.

I went straight from EMT to CNA to nursing school. I start this fall. I think its the right decision.

I started my RN career last year at the age of 36. I kinda took the long way getting there with five years EMT-B, three years ER-Tech, then two more years out in the field working Critical Care Transport and EMT Field Supervisor. It was my nurse coworkers who encouraged me to stop "wasting my time" and go back to school. With ten years under my belt before ever stepping into the student nurse role I didn't mind the challenges of being singled out by the instructors. Like others mentioned, it can open a lot of doors for you that your classmates dare not step through (such as successfully getting an IV started first poke on a dehydrated ten day old infant after watching my preceptor lose her nerve). One of the challenges I did not see anybody else mention is the change in ones scope of practice. As a first year student it doesn't matter how many years of wound care or venipunture experience you have, if you and your classmates have not been "checked off" on those skills, you are not funtioning within the scope of your new role.

Good luck to all who are just starting out or thinking about heading down this path. Most of the guys I know in nursing started in the field (military and civilian), and worked their way up to a level which they feel fit better for one reason or another. Personally, the only thing I would change is the ten years it took me to take the first step. Then again, it's the experience I brought with me that allowed me to kick back and enjoy myself.

As an unrelated side note, my wife of 12 years made it into and through the program with me. We were duking it out for top of the class, and while I edged her out in the end, secretly I think she's smarter than me. I had years of related experience to draw from. She started taking her pre-reqs after spending ten years as a homemaker/mother of our three kids. So for those of you who as are gearing up to tackle the student role as a family man - do it! There will be challenges, but it can be done. You will not regret it.

in our last bunch of nursing students i had the pleasure to meet 4 emt's that were in the bsn program it is getting to be the norm. with that said, i wish everyone the very best always...aloha~

I made a career change back in 2010 and earned my EMT license in Spring of 2011. I only took the NREMT and skills one time. It'a been one of the best decisions I've made in my adult life. After the NREMT I got a job at a county service and I've been there for 2 years now, and although the EMT scope of practice is limited here I have a couple of partners who allow me to make first patient contact and take patient care.

The experience on the ambulance has been good, even the bad experiences. Working with other professionals has taught me new things and reinforcedwhat I already knew like how to perform an assessment, making use of a slide board, head injuries in semi-fowler's, treat the patient not the monitor. More than anything I've learned the importance of professionalism.


I just wrapped up my pre-reqs and was accepted into the ADN program this Fall. As a family man working 48 hours a week I'm counting on a rough ride. Got my wife on my side though. She supports me and I'm certainly encouraged by the posts I've read from others here.

I used to be an EMT/Firefighter. I changed my career as a RN. I currently have my BSN and I am waiting to get in to a MSN Program at USF. I am happy with my decision and don't look back. In the ER many of my coworkers and patients respect me so I am very Happy with career change.

In clinical, if they know you are an EMT you will sometimes get more interesting patients or procedures.
You may also miss out of some things that you aren't experienced with because some nurses will assume you've seen it and give the opportunity to others.
Share the info smartly.

Nursing school will cover the entire 72 hours of NREMT recert as long as you get someone to sign off on your skills. If your recert period splits your school period, you might get two recert cycles fulfilled by school depending when you take OB and peds.

One of the nurses I work with in ER is getting EMT training now to do ride-alongs, and some first responder work with American Medical Response, and to "beef up her resume," she said. It's offered complimentary by their company if you do a minimum of 5 ride assists per month for a year.