anyone working as both ER RN and Paramedic??

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I was just curious and wanted some feedback.

I am a c.n.a and emt-b right now, I am in school for both my RN bsn and paramedic. My ultimate goal is to be a RN in the emergency room as well as a part time medic but i wanted some feedback from anyone that is currently doing both? What are the benefits? What are the downsides??

I cant decide between them both so my emt teacher said "why dont you just do both" he said one of his best students continued to do both and loved it.. but a lot of people look at my like im crazy.

but it is my passion , the emergeny field.

Just was curious to see what people experiences were.

thank you.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I do both. I used to be a full time paramedic then became a nurse. They each present different challenges with a lot of overlapping skills and knowledge. If you are really serious about this, I would encourage you to work full time as a medic for a year or two to really cement your skills. Working as a medic is much more dangerous and you need to develop certain habits and routines to stay safe. It also can be far more interesting as you will be working in all sorts of environments and situations. As a nurse you will are more involved in the science and medicine and that can be more interesting as well. You also are more concerned with long term effects and patient support. Being new at both could easily be overwhelming so get ready to have your abilities pushed. Good luck.

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i appreciate your feedback. I am serious about it and ive thought about that.. I suppose i should be ready to be pushed. but i just started nursing school, so it will take me 3 years to finish my bsn.. and ill be done with my medic in 9 months.. so hopefully that will give me some time to settle as a paramedic first. I work as a cna in the hospital on the med/surge floor and they float me to the ER when needed because they know i love it there. I feel like that is also preparing me for becoming a nurse. thanks a bunch!

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Specializes in ER.

Why not become a PHRN? (pre-hospital RN)

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Phrn? I've never heard of that. I'll have to look into it.

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PHRN is certainly not the same as a nationally registered paramedic. i worked 5 years as a paramedic in both prehospital and ER setting Before getting my RN. it is a great being able to work for an ambulance company 24 on and 48 off and work Prn for the ER. i would suggest working as a paramedic before going for the ER, the skills you will obtain working in the field will set you apart from the rest of the nurses in the ER.

you will really enjoy being able to both and there is no downside.

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If you do both, you could look at flight nursing later on.

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Specializes in ER, Prehospital, Flight.

This thread seems to be a fit for me, I am a PHRN. I work as a paramedic on the local Fire Dept full time (hence- FF-PHRN). I work as a nurse in the ED and I am currently a Flight Nurse. There is no down side. I prefer the prehospital side rather than in the ED, but the hospital pays the best. States vary as to what they require for PHRN, so I dont know what that will require for you.

I started out as a nurse in the ER for a few years and after talking to all the Fire guys I thought that Fire service was a better job. Better hours, roughly same or better pay, and much better benefits. Plus I can do what ever nurse job on the side. Any other questions I would be happy to help the best I can.

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Specializes in ER, Prehospital, Flight.

BTW, it sounds like you are totally on the right track. It is very possible to work both and its equally rewarding. You will be very busy though! Good luck and keep it up!

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Thanks guys your input means alot. Flight nurse sounds like such an awesome experience. I have the passion to do it all as of right now. The plan is when I finish my medic ill still be in nursing school so ill have that time to get experience. I do want to work for the fire dept cuz in chicago they are really the main ones who do 911 calls. I want to get my hands dirty and be challenged. I know it will be hard im a little scared but ill never know if I don't go for it. It's very inspiring to know there's people who do all of what I'm going to attempt to do and you guys love it. Because a lot are thinking I'm crazy and it's too much. But if it's doable im going to do it. Thanks :)

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Specializes in ER, ICU.
Phrn? I've never heard of that. I'll have to look into it.

Depends on the state.

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Specializes in Emergency, Critical Care, Pre-Hospital,.

Yeah, me too!

I spent 20 yrs working for a large midwest FD the last ten as a FF/NREMT-P, retired moved back east and stayed a paramedic while in RN school working on the ambulance and in the ED where I now work as an RN. I became a PHRN in PA as it is all the paramedic skills plus all the RN meds and pumps, etc.

dspaldrn/emt is right, in PA PHRN is certainly not the same as a nationally registered paramedic, it is the same and much more on the same test. As a certified EMT-P and RN you qualify for the PHRN certification, RNs with EMT certification can take a class that allows them to sit for the National registry exam, but they can not b NREMT-Ps without going through the entire paramedic curriculum.

The same skill sets are involved, but in many area, nursing pays more (in many cases, much more).

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