was anyone an emt prior

griffly · Oct 26, 2009

think about ER nursing, trauma ICU's, flight nursing. The great thing about nursing is the ability to move to different nursing fields.

yelnikmcwawa · Oct 26, 2009

You'll make more money as a nurse than a paramedic. So just get into trauma nursing and you'll be good to go

Schlepter · Oct 26, 2009

My ultimate goal is to become a PHRN. I'm not sure if it's a Pennsylvania thing or what, but it's a pre-hospital registered nurse around here. From what I gather, you need to have both the Paramedic and the RN license and then a little more training. I love the idea of being able to see both sides of the spectrum. As far as adrenaline goes, I'm sure you get your fair share in either profession depending on where you work. Good luck!

Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN · Oct 26, 2009

I am still an EMT and I've been doing it for 8 years and the EMS world and the nursing world are 2 very different (however somethings do overlap) worlds. EMS is a great place to work but the job is tough (as well as nursing). EMS would be a better place to work if we made more money. EMT/Medics just don't get paid as well as we should. People don't do EMS for the glory, or for the money, we do it because we love it and for some (like myself) it's a calling/passion, but people get burnt out really fast. I use this analogy to describe EMS....We are like the FRONT LINE SOLDIERS of emergency care. (which some OBVIOUS differences, altho I have been shot at and almost stabbed many times actually)...EMS is all about improvising, overcoming and adapting...sometimes doing ALOT more with ALOT less....Despite that, there is something that always brings me back to it even after dealing with people literally in my hands...I've seen alot of bad ****, and I've been doing EMS/Firefighting since I was 16....I've watched my best friend die in front of me.....numerous people I know die, ODs, suicides, pulled SIDS babies away from their hysterical parents to try and hopeless save it, and it sucks dude..It's definitely changed me and in some not so good ways.....But regardless of the bad.... I love working in the field better than working in an hospital, hands down. My eventual goal is to be a flight nurse because I feel that I can get the best of both worlds. I can do 911 jobs and still get that adrenaline rush I crave, and I can also do critical care transports where I have multiple pathologies going on and you're working against the clock to keep someone alive. Flight Nurses and flight medics (in NY at least) are trained so that both members of the team are equals. The RN DOES intubate, needle cric and decompress etc. They go through specialized training usually through the hospital with who they are affiliated with. Stick with nursing and try to do Trauma, ICU/CCU ER. You'll find your nitch eventually. And being an EMT helped me ALOT thru nursing school, I knew ALOT more than my classmates and they hated me for it because things they were learning how to treat I have already handled and knew how to treat. So if you wanted to know if it helps..I'd say TOTALLY. You just have to know when to separate EMS and Nursing..thats all.

dspaldrn/emt · Oct 26, 2009

I was a Paramedic/firefighter for 4 years before getting my RN. Being a Paramedic is Great, You have a far greater skill set than most nurses and you get to see the real deal out in the field. plus you really have the autonomy that nurses just think they have. I work in the ER now as a RN and yeah i do make more money that way but i still get back on the Ambulance at least once a week. Go get you Paramedic and then to a Paramedic to Rn bridge course.

you wont regret it.

Neveranurseagain, RN · Oct 26, 2009

Get your RN as well as your paramedic. You can work as a flight nurse once you have a solid background as an RN. I have been: CNA, MA, EMT, LVN, I-EMT, Paramedic, RN and apprenticed licensed Midwife...

And now I am not working in the medical field much at all....

chul_soo · Oct 26, 2009

Why not join the military? I was an airborne medic for 4 yrs and now I'm pursuing my bsn. Once I'm done, I'm going back in as an officer and have them pay for my NP school. Well at least that's the plan... Oh btw, if you like action, you'll see plenty in Iraq and Afganistan. I saw my fair share.

bubbley1021 · Oct 27, 2009

I'm glad I came across this, I am on a "ready list" for an RN program but probably won't start until 2011 or 2012. I am currently working full time in a different field (social work) I have my CNA but honestly even if I worked full time as a CNA where I am, I would not be making enough money. I know EMTS/parameds arent paid a lot but def a lot more than CNAs, and I really want to get into the medical field before Nursing school and while in school so I was also thinking of doing an EMT course... I too am really interested in emergency/trauma care, the fast pace, and acute care experience. I'm sure the experience will be great for nursing, and you could always see how you like the work and go back to get your RN later. best of luck to you!