Anyone taking an EMT too?

DanEMT, ASN, RN · Dec 31, 2008

It will help your critical thinking and assessment skills, and if you pay attention to your pts it will help you recognize conditions quicker. I feel it has been an advantage over my class mates that are not EMTs, but my exp came from urban EMS in a tough city. Can't hurt good luck

flightnurse2b, LPN · Dec 31, 2008

i am an emt-p and i was for about 6 yrs before becoming a nurse. i definately think i had an upperhand on my classmates because i had already heard of the conditions and textbook symptoms before, seen the meds, was comfortable around patients and had critical thinking/assessment skills. the hardest part for me was learning the nursing process and doing care planning.... it was hard for me to separate the quick field medic thinking from the adpie-ing if that makes sense :)

it wouldn't hurt, esp since you want to go into ER nursing. good luck!

yelnikmcwawa · Dec 31, 2008

I took the EMT-B class at my community college while taking other pre-reqs. I figured it would give me a leg up at the really competitive schools, as well as give me some opprotunities to work in health care settings like as an ER tech. I never ended up taking a job using the certification, but my top pick nursing school specifically asks if you have an EMT certification, so I can't help but assume that it'll help me a bit. It was a fun class but definately time consuming...8 credits!!! I think that the class alone gives you a bit better understanding about what it means to give some rudimentary hands on patient care. Good luck!

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Dec 31, 2008

EMS is good experience and you'll meet some people who can give you great advice about career paths. Just avoid getting bitten too hard by the EMS bug. I know several pre-health professions students who became EMT's, signed on with EMS agencies, then ran shifts like crazy - to the detriment of their GPA's. Don't lose sight of goal #1.

MaineEMT2RN · Jan 1, 2009

I was an EMT-B for a year before starting nursing school. It definitely gave me an advantage in terms of experience, but also gave me a nice income. Per diem EMS work can fit in nicely with an ever changing school schedule. Also, some hospitals look for EMT's to work as ED techs - a great way to get my favorite benefit: Tuition Assistance!

Mariposa88 · Jan 2, 2009

Thanks everyone!!! I was just wondering, I'm sure they will answer this in the class, but I was wondering if you have to be able to lift a certain amount of pounds or if there is some kind of physical test?

flightnurse2b, LPN · Jan 2, 2009

i had to take a lift test. mine was 25, 50, 75, and 100 lbs unassisted with proper body mechanics. then 150, 200 and 250 with 1 partner and proper body mechanics.

Mariposa88 · Jan 2, 2009

thanks, I'm a pretty slight person and not incredibly strong, I'll have to see if I can manage that (probably can), otherwise I'll have to start working out and lifting or something, lol.

flightnurse2b, LPN · Jan 2, 2009

you can! i was one of three girls in my class, and out of them i was the smallest. EMS is very physically demanding work and sometimes completely exhausting. but it's alot of fun too :)

RDW13 · Jan 2, 2009

I took the EMT-B class just before starting the Nursing program. I had to wait one semester before Nursing school started after I was accepted, so I figured it would be a good thing to do. It helped me in a few ways. One, it confirmed that I really wanted to do patient care. Nursing is a second career goal (I have been a computer geek for 20 years), so it was a way for me to know for sure this is what I wanted to do. Also, it helped my confidence level in getting back into school. I did really well in the EMT class and really enjoyed the class. It also helped me work on my study skills that I use very successfully now that I am half way through Nursing school. I also feel it gave me a head start on some of the basic skills, assessment, conditions, etc. that I have been learning as a nursing student. I never did work as an EMT, but I volunteer some at local events as a first responder/first aid. I've kept my old computer job while I am in school (more money), but I also hope it will be an advantage later when applying for ED jobs and maybe one day becoming a flight nurse. I also plan to take the Paramedic exam after I finish nursing, as I can challenge the exam as an RN, without having to take the Paramedic courses, which is another year of school if I remember correctly.

I don't see any disadvantages in taking the EMT course - the more experience you get, the better you will be able to help those that need it.

Best of luck!

Mariposa88 · Jan 2, 2009

do you do clinicals in an EMT class? Like ride alongs in ambulances?