Hi everyone! I'm am new to the site and had some info and questions to share...I have recently been accepted into a paramedic program on an almost full scholarship! Am thinking about going into a traditional RN program after I get my AAS degree in Emergency Medical Technology-Paramedic. My long-term goal is to become a Flight Medic-but, there is something about ER Nursing that really appeals to me. When I graduate medic school, I have been offered a job in the ER that I currently work in-I'll be working as a new medic. I'm hoping to attend RN school after this, just would like some inspiration from all of you out there. Has anyone become a paramedic and then gone on to nursing school and come out with 2 degrees? The reason I'm doing it this way is partly because I've been accepted into medic school and gotten an excellent scholarship-and I am an EMT and love "street medicine", Also I know ANY education is never a waste. But at 32 years old, is it wise for me to be a paramedic then go on to a two year RN program?
(Just wanting to settle some anxiety) Anyone out there done this?
"sore throat from eating to much chicken at a party"
is crap?
i thought every patient was special:lol2::trout:
Sure, every patient is special. Some more special than others. LOL My favorite by far was the 3 am public assist call to help a man back into bed. We arrived on scene to find the man was already back in bed, helped by the nursing assistant that was at the house. He was fumbling with his catheter. Turns out it needed to be emptied. My partner (god love him, he is absolutely awesome) emptied it and got a refusal for transport signed. When we got back in the truck, he started b*tching. It was the funniest call we've ran so far. We still laugh about it. Last shift we got a call at 4:30 am for an abscess to the butt... We work again tomorrow. Bring on the fun!
Seriously though, I absolutely love my job and I love my partner. I couldn't have picked a better one if I had tried.
That's a good point Pacookie I'll agree, if one is to choose ED choose a Level One Trauma Center ED. Where I worked ICU my hospital had the only Level I center in the state so I never saw the crap. But thinking of the few times I've accompanied someone to the ED, ofter they are urgent (or thought urgent) care clinics.[/quote']
A good level I trauma center would be a great experience. I'm leaning towards flight nursing once it's all said and done, so I'm thinking that maybe a year of some good trauma ED experience and solid ICU experience would be a good background to have for that. I'd really like to get into doing the flight paramedic thing before flight nursing, since I'll be well on my way towards having the required five years of experience for that before I'll be done with nursing school. Paramedic school starts this summer...I can't wait! In the mean time, I'm retaking A&P 1&2 this spring (got C's the first time...ugh) and tackling ACLS and PALS as well. My partner said he'd help me in any way he could. He has 20 years of experience in EMS and is working on an RN bridge program. Very smart guy. He lets me do whatever we both feel that I can handle as far as treating our patients. I have learned more working with him than I did in EMT school, as sad as that sounds. Now I just need some good calls. I seem to have some sort of reverse curse on me.... Maybe tomorrow will be my day. I can hope, right? Is it wrong to hope for a good cardiac arrest?
No, I haven't done that so I can't offer advice, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum. Your a brave person!!! I thought about paramedic, but I would be terrified to ride/drive the ambulance that fast. I would be yelling at the driver to slow down lol.
Actually, you don't normally go over the posted speed limit. Local protocols dictate exactly how fast you are allowed to go over the speed limit. We are allowed to go up to 10 miles over the limit in emergency situations. Hardly flying! lol
the worst part is stupid people who dont stop when they see a truck coming at them with lights and sirens @70mph.
like seriously dude...theres an emergency!! LOL
Sometimes it's even worse when they do stop. I had a car come to a dead stop right in front of me, in the middle of the road. Just stopped right there, didn't move over or anything. Totally blocked my path. I was not happy. All I can say is that people get really stupid when they see an emergency vehicle behind them.
Once I was driving in to the hospital with a traumatic arrest in the back, my partner working his butt off with two green firefighters helping with compressions and bagging the patient. Got behind a log truck that would not yield or budge at all, going 35 mph. Couldn't pass due to traffic in the other lane. When I finally got around it, I saw that the driver was chatting away on his cell phone, totally oblivious to his surroundings. It's things like that that tick me off. :trout:
Sure, every patient is special. Some more special than others. LOL My favorite by far was the 3 am public assist call to help a man back into bed. We arrived on scene to find the man was already back in bed, helped by the nursing assistant that was at the house. He was fumbling with his catheter. Turns out it needed to be emptied. My partner (god love him, he is absolutely awesome) emptied it and got a refusal for transport signed. When we got back in the truck, he started b*tching. It was the funniest call we've ran so far. We still laugh about it. Last shift we got a call at 4:30 am for an abscess to the butt... We work again tomorrow. Bring on the fun!
My favorite "urgent call for help" was while I was in Med/Surg. "Your patient is calling for help" I rush to the room, the patient is calm, his wife clearly alarmed. I'm confused, I give him a quick look and feel: dry skin, normal color, pulse, breathing WNL.... "What's wrong?" I asked "I'm dying." The patient responded "Of what?" (I was a fairly new nurse at this time.) "...thirst! I'm dying of thirst!" He responded "Thirst? I said, confused. "Yes, I'm dying of thirst," he responded. His respiratory rate had increased, pulse approaching tachycardia--skin becoming red and warm.... "But there is a pitcher of water right there..." I said, pointing to the pitcher of water a mere inches from his arm. "Would you drink warm water?" He said, with an elevated voice level. I thought for a bit... and said "Nope," and got him a new pitcher. Urgent call resolved. Now, he was special patient.
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
Sometimes it's even worse when they do stop. I had a car come to a dead stop right in front of me, in the middle of the road. Just stopped right there, didn't move over or anything. Totally blocked my path. I was not happy. All I can say is that people get really stupid when they see an emergency vehicle behind them.
Once I was driving in to the hospital with a traumatic arrest in the back, my partner working his butt off with two green firefighters helping with compressions and bagging the patient. Got behind a log truck that would not yield or budge at all, going 35 mph. Couldn't pass due to traffic in the other lane. When I finally got around it, I saw that the driver was chatting away on his cell phone, totally oblivious to his surroundings. It's things like that that tick me off. :trout:
come work in miami...you'll hate your job in 6months guaranteed..there is more BS here than on a steak farm:lol2:
Oh Pneumothorax--you're so full of hot air. *hehehe....* I think it's that way in so many places. But there are exceptions like Beth Israel Hospital versus some of the other Boston, MA hospitals. Choose the place first--look at the pay last. Heaven forbid that one pays $3/hour more. That three dollars will be extracted from your flesh and blood!
Hi everyone! I'm am new to the site and had some info and questions to share...I have recently been accepted into a paramedic program on an almost full scholarship! Am thinking about going into a traditional RN program after I get my AAS degree in Emergency Medical Technology-Paramedic. My long-term goal is to become a Flight Medic-but, there is something about ER Nursing that really appeals to me. When I graduate medic school, I have been offered a job in the ER that I currently work in-I'll be working as a new medic. I'm hoping to attend RN school after this, just would like some inspiration from all of you out there. Has anyone become a paramedic and then gone on to nursing school and come out with 2 degrees? The reason I'm doing it this way is partly because I've been accepted into medic school and gotten an excellent scholarship-and I am an EMT and love "street medicine", Also I know ANY education is never a waste. But at 32 years old, is it wise for me to be a paramedic then go on to a two year RN program?
(Just wanting to settle some anxiety) Anyone out there done this?
Thanks to all of you!!
Congrats on the scholarship! I've been a volunteer medic since ~1991, and am about 40% through an Accelerated BSN program.
32 WHOLE years old, huh? I'm doing this at 46 years old. Don't worry so much about "is it wise to do this". As long as you're financially OK with your route, and feel it's the best approach for you, then do it.
Something to consider...if it takes 2 years for your medics, 2+ years for your ADN (not including "wait list" time), you're looking at 4-5 years. If (big "IF") you could get into the ADN program right now, you could take a bridge course (RN-->medic), which in my area is only 2 quarters long. Depends on what makes the most sense for you.
As others have said, experience as a medic will certainly help you with nursing duties involving assessment/codes/priorities. This takes some time on the street, though. As a freshly graduated medic (or a freshly graduated RN), you'd be book smart, but lacking the knowledge only brought about by experience. Even just 1 year as an EMT before going for medic makes a world of difference.
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
Oh Pneumothorax--you're so full of hot air. *hehehe....* I think it's that way in so many places. But there are exceptions like Beth Israel Hospital versus some of the other Boston MA hospitals. Choose the place first--look at the pay last. Heaven forbid that one pays $3/hour more. That three dollars will be extracted from your flesh and blood![/quote']
hahaha...who needs blood anyways..it stains and its too messy:lol2:
I seem to have some sort of reverse curse on me.... 
Is it wrong to hope for a good cardiac arrest?
paccookie
108 Posts
Sure, every patient is special. Some more special than others. LOL My favorite by far was the 3 am public assist call to help a man back into bed. We arrived on scene to find the man was already back in bed, helped by the nursing assistant that was at the house. He was fumbling with his catheter. Turns out it needed to be emptied. My partner (god love him, he is absolutely awesome) emptied it and got a refusal for transport signed. When we got back in the truck, he started b*tching. It was the funniest call we've ran so far. We still laugh about it. Last shift we got a call at 4:30 am for an abscess to the butt... We work again tomorrow. Bring on the fun!
Seriously though, I absolutely love my job and I love my partner. I couldn't have picked a better one if I had tried.