Any nurses that went through EMT-B Training?

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Curious to see how many nurses have ever gone through EMT training?

I ask because I originally wanted to switch careers and chose a firefighter. Can't be a firefighter around here without having your EMT-B, so I signed up for the course. Once I got into the course I actually enjoyed it so much I decided I was going to be a paramedic instead of firefighter. Then after doing my ED clinical I feel head of heels in love with working in an ED and nurses. Went down the next day and signed up for nurses school. :)

So, I was thinking about just dropping my EMT class now since I'm not going for that anymore anyways, but decided I'd go ahead and stick with it till the end, even if I don't go test for the national/state cert. Figured it would give me a better understanding of what goes on before the patients hit the ED and what the EMT/Paramedics were thinking out there.

If nothing else it would give me a jump start on my nursing classes, since I'd already know how to do patient assessments, vitals, etc ...

Anyways, I was wondering how many nurses out there went through EMT training at one point and how it helped/didn't help you along your path to nursism.

:wakeneo:

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I used my certification to work as an EMT throughout college, the first time...in 1990-93. It was my most favorite job ever!!! I work 5p-7a, 3 days per week. Two shifts were in busy areas so we were usually up all night, therefore, I was not the most productive person in school the next day. However, one of the shifts was in a town of mostly residential neighborhoods where the street rolls up at 9p and everyone goes to bed...so that shift I did get plenty of sleep. I was able to work more than fulltime, therefore, I always had money during college...not the case for most while in college. But, more importantly I learned sooooooo much from that job. I had to learn to make quick decisions, with the help of only my partner, within the scope of my practice...something that still helps me 15+ years later. It was the most enjoyable, exciting, funny (at times), sad (at times), crazy, job I've ever had. HIGHLY recommend continuing your course if you can. Also, I found lots of time, in betweeen calls, to study...another bonus. If you have to be up all night...might as well use the time.

During nursing school (just finished in May...my degree from 93 was in something else) we had to do an ambulance ridealong for my critical care rotation...I can't begin to tell you how exciting it was to be back in ambulance again. So exciting in fact that the paramedics suggested I renew my license or somehow get reinstated to be able to do this again...not sure how any of it works or what is available to a nurse...but, I'm seriously considering it. Once you get a taste of emergency medicine...it's hard to get it out of your system. I highly recommend continuing.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I am a pre-hospital RN (an actual license in IL) and I love it. The adrenalline rush is fantastic! I did fire-fighting up until a few years ago when school interfered with training - darn it!

Anyway - go for it.

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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

nerollus,

As with the above posters, I highly recommend completing your EMT training. It will give you valuable assessment skills that you will expand upon in paramedic/nursing school. It is an excellent entry level course, and may afford you more opportunities once you become a nurse.

Keep pluggin' along -

Good luck

vamedic4

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Specializes in Emed, LTC, LNC, Administration.

I was an EMT and a paramedic for 12 years before going to nursing school. That 12 years was invaluable then as it is now. I would highly recommend not only finishing your EMT, but putting it to use in the field for a while. THAT'S where the REAL learning happens. You get to understand how to look at patients, how to assess better and quicker, make decisions faster, etc. That all comes with working in the streets and isn't something that can be taught. It's definitely NOT taught in nursing schools.

Just my 2 cents. Best wishes

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I went through EMT school during my senior year of high school, and volunteered on a fire dept through college. I let my cert drop towards the end of school...all the chaos of school/clinicals/hospital job/moving/etc. ;)

I regret letting it drop though. I'm thinking about getting it back and then going to paramedic school so I can work on the street as well.

I would love to fly someday, and a lot of flight programs want their staff to be both RN/EMT-P.

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Specializes in Rural Health.

I took an EMT-B class because if I didn't get into NS I was going to quit my job, get my EMT license and work as an EMT until the fast track EMT-P started and then I was already offered a spot in that class....

Fast foward....got into NS the following semester. Got to quit my job (yeah) and start NS. My EMT class was invaluable for my education. I learned A LOT while I was taking that class that helped me out tons in school.

Don't give it up!!! Plus, because of my EMT class, I was allowed to be a tech in the ER during school.

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Specializes in critical care transport.

I was an EMT for 5 years. It has helped me with school, big time. A&P was a breeze, and I got more out of it and had a lot of "aha" moments because my class connected the dots.

I would suggest you finish it out. Like you said, I think it's good to understand what happens on scene, not that you totally need that. Finish it out, and take prereqs for nursing if you haven't already. Being an EMT can enable you to volunteer on the fire department, usually. That's what I had did, and that's where I met my husband too :twocents:

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+100 to all the other replies - unless it would totally interfere with nursing school (which it sounds like it won't) even just doing your EMT clinicals in the ER and riding on an ALS bus as a student will be some great experience.

I HIGHLY recommend you finish up school and take the NREMT - there's a level one trauma center here, and they definitely would consider hiring a new GN who was also an EMT over one who had no pre-hospital care experience.

Congrats on getting into school, and good luck!

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