by djd7101986

Hey guys,I needed some advice on something; recently I've become an EMT-B and really enjoy the work and am looking to continue my education but I'm at a crossroads. I don't know if I should become a paramedic or a nurse. I would still like to do pre-hospital care in the field but don't know which would would be a better decision. Both programs are offered at a local community college by me and both are two years with an AS at the end of the program I'm just curious which one would be better ? If anyone has any insight I'd really appreciate it! Thanks a lot
-Dave

Re: Paramedic or Pre-Hospital RN?

The best thing you can do is observe paramedics and nurses at work, and see which feels like a better fit for you.

When I started out as an EMT-B I worked for an ambulance service that did both "911" response and critical care transport. So, I had opportunities to work with both paramedics and registered nurses and see both sides of the fence. Later, as a firefighter, I got exposed to flight nursing... and that's when I knew nursing was the way I wanted to go.

I think what most drew me to nursing was that it gave me more career options. There are a lot of nursing specialties to choose from, and you can change hospitals and/or specialties relatively easily. There are also more opportunities in nursing for additional education and advanced practice roles. Nursing's lucrative, and provides pretty good job security too.

The only things I miss about EMS that I don't think nursing offers as much of are autonomy and camaraderie.

Re: Paramedic or Pre-Hospital RN?

Wow what a great response! Thanks I really appreciate the info and the insight.

Re: Paramedic or Pre-Hospital RN?

No sweat, and good luck with whatever path you choose!

I would've truly loved to have been a paramedic, and I don't want to discourage you from that path at all. For me the problem was that as medic I wouldn't have a lot of options if I got burned out on it. How many of us really know where we'll end up or what we're going to want in ten years? I wanted a career that had the flexibility to bend with the changes life threw at me.

With a BSN degree and RN license I know that if I become a flight nurse and feel like moving on to something new five years later, I can!I could return to critical care in the hospital, change specialties, go back to school for a graduate degree (to work in management, education, or advanced practice), work in the community as a public health nurse, etc.

Hope this helps.

Re: Paramedic or Pre-Hospital RN?

Originally Posted by djd7101986

Hey guys,I needed some advice on something; recently I've become an EMT-B and really enjoy the work and am looking to continue my education but I'm at a crossroads. I don't know if I should become a paramedic or a nurse. I would still like to do pre-hospital care in the field but don't know which would would be a better decision. Both programs are offered at a local community college by me and both are two years with an AS at the end of the program I'm just curious which one would be better ? If anyone has any insight I'd really appreciate it! Thanks a lot
-Dave

Congrats on your EMT-B certification! I hope that you use it a while & enjoy doing field EMS. I ran as an EMT for a couple years before going to paramedic school & running as a medic for 17+ years (in my "copious free time" away from my engineering job). I am about to start a new career as a RN, which will present its own set of challenges (& learning opportunities).

I guess I'd start with the usual blather about "follow your heart." Do what makes you happy. As Mike A. Fungin recommended - shadow a RN and shadow a medic to see how their jobs differ. You might choose to shadow an ER nurse for a closer comparison of field care vs ER care.

Pay is generally better for RN vs EMT-P, but that may also depend on whether you're employed as a medic by a private company or a city fire dept.

I agree that opportunities are generally better as a RN versus a paramedic. One other thing to consider....in many areas, it's possible to take a RN-->Paramedic "bridge" course. These take 1 or 2 quarters, and you'd end up with your EMT-P certification to add to your RN license. This may be handy if you still want to volunteer as a paramedic on your local fire dept, or want to do flight nursing (some flight programs require their RN's to also be EMT-P certified).

Good luck!

Re: Paramedic or Pre-Hospital RN?

Thanks for all of the great responses and advice. After much personal deliberation I actually think I am going to go with an RN degree because it seems like it will fit me better and the overall options and benefits sound more suiting for my wants and needs. Thanks again for the great info!
-Dave

Re: Paramedic or Pre-Hospital RN?

Originally Posted by djd7101986

Thanks for all of the great responses and advice. After much personal deliberation I actually think I am going to go with an RN degree because it seems like it will fit me better and the overall options and benefits sound more suiting for my wants and needs. Thanks again for the great info!
-Dave

Uh...oh.....

You went with RN. You should have gone with paramedic. Or not. Maybe... (yes, sarcasm intended)

Now there's just that small matter of getting your RN. Your EMT-B experience will definitely help you. Many of your future fellow nursing students have never touched/examined a patient before.

Good Luck!

Re: Paramedic or Pre-Hospital RN?

Check with your local state EMS "board" before doing anything. Some states will allow RNs to challenge the test, granting them a medic license.

I was in the same boat as you a year ago. I chose nursing, because of the vast number of careers I can lead. I can work practically anywhere, often at a higher pay rate than medics. Don't get me wrong, I love pre-hospital, but there's no forward mobility with medic programs.

Maybe you can try the nursing assistant thing, get a foot in the door, and rate the experience. If you like it, maybe your facility will pay you to complete your RN.