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Discussion

Advice for New RN looking for first job, experienced EMT

Anybody out there an EMT-1 before going to nursing school? I spent 3 years on private ambulances in Los Angeles and went to RN school because the waiting list was shorter than the one for Paramedic school.

I love nursing, have just passed my NCLEX-RN, and am now looking for my first job. I don't necessarily want to do ED, but that's what many people assume I should do. I also have a bachelor of arts degree and 7 years experience working in script development for motion pictures and t.v. so have also been trying to figure out how I could get a job on medical shows like 'House' or 'ER'- I know they have nurses who work on the story development side.

For now I am interested in getting a full time nursing job with at least hands-on patient care but am interested in what might be out there that is not in a traditional hospital setting. And a job that other EMT's have found satisfying. One of my aunt's who is a nurse works for an insurance company but there is no hands-on care. I remember seeing RN's working on ambulances but i bet that requires like a year or two in an acute care situation but am not sure.

Any advice from Emergency Medical Technicians is greatly appreciated. Thanks. Apologies to all the many women who are EMT's for putting this thread in the male forum. I just did that because I'm a guy and it's the forum I tend to read first.

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I'm also a New Grad, former NJ-EMT now living in San Diego. Like you I also worked doing 911 and transport (bls and cct) before starting nursing school.

While I was in school, I worked in the hospital float pool as a nurses assistant. It was invaluable for me to see what I wanted to do and more importantly, what I didn't want to do.

I have been away from the street work for over three years and I miss it.

I don't work in ER either. I wound that the intensity that I craved could be found in the ICU setting. It is the best of both worlds. You have the acuity of a freshly and seriously ill patient, and the long term (meaning more than a few hours) investment into the process. Plus, you get to do alot more than in the ER. I can't speak for all hospitals, but in the ones I have been around, they stabilize in the ER and then send them to the unit (this is the really sic patients), then the unit gets to have all the "fun". Oh yeah, you are right. You need one to three (depending on company) years in ICU/ER before a company will hire you as a CCT nurse. Although, because of the EMS background, it might be closer to one for you (i've looked into it, good second job)

Hope this helps.

If you are heading for ED or ICU- Make sure they have a good training program. There are many that say you should stay out of these areas untill you have at least two years med surg. I disagree. If the unit is set up for new grads, and has a good track record with their program, you can do fine.

BTW- if you are thinking nurse/medic flight, etc., you are probably best off in the ICU.

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