Paramedics rank higher than LPNs?

Nurses Relations

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This has always been one of my favorite topics. EMS vs Nursing. My perception is that Paramedics do outrank LPNs in the medical profession, because they have more education than LPNs in most places for example, Louisiana LPN training programs are 14 months and Paramedic programs are 24-27 months. And Paramedics perform more higher liability emergency medical tasks than I have ever seen an LPN perform. Paramedics also earn a higher salary than LPNs do here. It seems to me like EMTs and LPNs are about on the same level and Paramedics and Associate Degree RNs are about on the same level. It's been said too that EMT-Basics and CNAs are on the same level, but I don't see how that holds true either. EMT-Bs from what I understand perform more complex medical tasks such as using defribilators, appyling splints, dressing wounds, assisting with IVs, administering Oxygen Therapy, Inhalers, epinephrine, nitroglycerin, and assesing patients, where CNAs could never dream of performing these tasks??? Anyone else want to give input on EMS vs Nursing?

Specializes in being a Credible Source.

It's not a matter of rank, it's a matter of scope-of-practice and protocols.

Beyond that, it's asinine to consider "EMS versus Nursing" as though they're oppositional or hierarchial.

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It's apples and oranges; they're trained for entirely different jobs. When I went through LPN, I certainly wasn't trained on how to intubate, or on other emergency techniques a medic does.

I'm by no means saying that LPNs can't save lives - but that isn't what they're taught or trained for, whereas it is what a paramedic is meant for. Likewise, a paramedic wouldn't have a clue for bedside nursing or how to treat most diseases.

The only similarities between LPNs and Paramedics lie in 1) they're in the medical field and 2) they are a stopgap that satisfies care needs before RNs, NPs, and Doctors.

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Specializes in FMF CORPSMAN USN, TRUAMA, CCRN.

Several people have stated that this is a ridiculous topic and I agree with them wholeheartedly. In IMO, it is a topic that scores right up there with politics and religion, one that is best left unexplored. It serves no purpose to discuss it, nothing good ever comes from airing it out, no issues are ever solved, I've never met anyone who told me they felt better after having a discussion on the subject, but I have met several who have walked away with animosity and bitterness where their used to be a fondness and camaraderie. All over nothing!! I started out in a war came home to nothing. People spit on me. I got a job as an ER Orderly and fought my way up from there going to school and working full time. I didn't ask for anything and didn't get anything except for what I earned. Now I'm old & retired and it's basically you guys turn to work it out. Just don't screw it up and talking about this crap is screwing it up, hospital politics are best left to the Administrators. After you've been in the trenches for 20 or 25 years, maybe you'll decide you want to try being a Suit. Good luck with that. I thought it sucked and couldn't wait to get back to the bedside, but that was me.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

This I'll say:

If my mom were in the hospital and needed assistance with ADLs, medications on schedule, and discharge planning... I'd be choosing the LVN.

If she severely dyspneic, acutely bleeding, or coding... give me the medic every time.

If she needed an IV changed, probably take the (certified) LVN... if she were crashing and her pressure was in the toilet and she needed a line, any line, NOW... give me the medic every time.

If she needs to be tubed... give me the RT or the CRNA... if they're not there, give me the medic.

What the medics do, they do very, very well... and far better than most nurses (excepting perhaps some of the MICN and CFN types), and they're used to functioning in very difficult circumstances, often with a dearth of resources.

On the med-surg floor, I'd generally look to the LVN... in the ER, I'd be looking for the medic... for critical-care transport, give me the medic every time (along with an MICN and a helo, if at all possible).

As someone said, "apples and oranges." Or, as I said, "scopes and protocols," not to mention experience.

** GOOD MEDICS ROCK **

and any nurse who doesn't realize that... is a rock.

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Also, as a LPN, my education is much broader. A medic's education is focused on emergency procedures, for obvious reasons. I couldn't step into an ambulance tonight and do a medic's job. I'd have no idea what to do. At the same time, there's no way he could

clock in tonight and be the primary nurse for 49 residents. He'd have a crap attack. All the extra procedures he's learned how to do wouldn't help him a lick. Just as my broader base knowledge of medicines and therapeutic interventions wouldn't amount to much in a 911 emergency. He'd be trying to put a head immobilizer on the little old lady who slipped on her tushy and I'd be trying to care plan future interventions for the guy who fell off a three story ladder. Neither scenario ends well....

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Brandon, I soooo love the picture you just painted! Especially of you care planning at the accident scene!

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And let's not fall into the trap of thinking some healthcare roles are "higher" because they know more about a very specific duty than others. I've seen paramedics who think they're above nurses cause they know more about first aid. I've seen dialysis techs who think they are smarter than the RN cause they know more about how a dialysizer works. I've seen LPNs who think they're better nurses than the RN cause they know more about medications and can do a med pass quicker. Of COURSE someone who spends 90% of their shift doing a specific task is better at it then the RN. How could they not be?

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I think the comparison is so unfair and quiet disrespectful to the LPNs on this site. I dont see people posting on allparamedics.com. This is allNURSES.com . Why the OP didn't compare ADN nurses V. Paramedics? OP sounds like a person who couldn't get into nursing school so is trying to start division. When have you seen a backlog to get into paramedic school?? And why does length of a program not compared instead with intensity and difficulty. My lpn program was hard only 1 week breaks between 3 months of lecture, every week a 8 chapter exam , and you were cut if you scored below 80. My education was intense to demean our profession is a slap in the face to all the LPNs who sacrificed so much to be one. Last time I heard nurses are not running to paramedic school and compare attrition rates of a paramedic school vs. a nursing school that would be a much fairer comparison. That's just my 2 NY cents.

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I think the comparison is so unfair and quiet disrespectful to the LPNs on this site. I dont see people posting on allparamedics.com. This is allNURSES.com . Why the OP didn't compare ADN nurses V. Paramedics? OP sounds like a person who couldn't get into nursing school so is trying to start division. When have you seen a backlog to get into paramedic school?? And why does length of a program not compared instead with intensity and difficulty. My lpn program was hard only 1 week breaks between 3 months of lecture, every week a 8 chapter exam , and you were cut if you scored below 80. My education was intense to demean our profession is a slap in the face to all the LPNs who sacrificed so much to be one. Last time I heard nurses are not running to paramedic school and compare attrition rates of a paramedic school vs. a nursing school that would be a much fairer comparison. That's just my 2 NY cents.

Apparently she is already in LPN school -_- check page 3 third post.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

Okay folks. The OP is an 18 year old BOY who has been a CNA in a nursing home for all of 8 weeks. On another thread he suggested that LPN's are unlicensed personnel. On the first page of this thread I told ya'll to ignore his ideas and not to take the bait. Seriously, let's just let this thread die.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

OP......there is no "ranking" system in the healthcare field. There are scopes of practice. You are at the beginning of your nursing career. As you continue through your nursing journey........ I am sure you will be able to gain a better perspective of how the healthcare model works. Each member has vital roles and each role in interlocked with the other to provide the best care for our patients.

I have worked with some of the finest medics in the field and without them....as an Emergency Department nurse....my job would be futile. As a new grad everything I learned about patient assessment, 34 years ago, was from a wonderful, giving, experienced LPN. Frankly, I don't want to work any shift without the CNA/techs.

This has run it's course.......Closing for staff review.

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