Becoming EMT in America

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Specializes in SIV/VMER Nurse [Portugal], SubAcute [US].

Hi I was an SIV in Portugal my home country (a medic nurse) and want to know if that is equivalent of EMT-! here in the US because I had those responsibilities? I did traveling with medical team and also ER nursing in canada after nursing school. I am living in america now. I did research could not find any. I asked in my town no body knows, I called board of nursing they said I need to ask my local services. Nobody knows. Maybe I just go back to school here for EMT? Thank you all. Sorry if I ask a lot of questions I love all nurses thank you :)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm a pre-hospital volunteer nurse in IL. Check with your local (state) health department first then go from there. Yes, I can see that you MIGHT have to return to school as there are exams to take at the end of the course in order to be licensed in the US. I will move this to emergency nursing....

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Specializes in SIV/VMER Nurse [Portugal], SubAcute [US].
I'm a pre-hospital volunteer nurse in IL. Check with your local (state) health department first then go from there. Yes, I can see that you MIGHT have to return to school as there are exams to take at the end of the course in order to be licensed in the US. I will move this to emergency nursing....

Okay thank you!!!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Are you an RN here in the US? Yes, you would have to complete an EMT course of some type to be eligible to take EMT exams for certification, but some places have bridge programs for RNs to become EMTs (usually EMT-Paramedic after completing an EMT-Basic course).

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It would have helped if you listed the state you are in or want to live in.

I had no idea what your abbreviations for nurses and EMTs were in Portugal so I had to look it up.

Emergency medical services in Portugal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the US, EMS is very different. Each state is very different.

For EMT, that is only 120 hours of first aide.

Then you have AEMT or Advanced EMT which is an EMT with a couple extra skills beyond first aid. That is about 300 hours of training.

Paramedic in the US is about 1000 hours - 1 year of training. One or two states require a 2 year college degree.

Canada's education is much longer.

Most states go by the NREMT exams. A few states have their own certifying exams. After certifying, each state has its own licensing process. This website also links to each state EMS office.

NREMT - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians

This college offers a short bridge for nurses to get the EMT and the Paramedic certifications.

You will need some ICU/ER experience along with ACLS.

Pre-Hospital Care (EMT) for Nurses | EMS Education

A few states have a Prehospital RN certifications. Pennsylvania is one state which has PHRNs. This state has its own bridge course for RN to Paramedic.

Certifications | Emergency Medical Service Institute

The majority of EMS in the US is done only by EMT, AEMT and Paramedic.

In many areas 911 EMS is done by the Fire Departments and the Firefighters are cross trained as EMTs and Paramedics.

There are a few RNs on flight and critical care transport teams.

If you are currently working in a SNF, you could just sign up for an EMT or AEMT course at the local tech school or community college for 120 - 300 hours and see what EMS is like in your area. If there is a volunteer ambulance or fire department nearby, you might be able to get the training free or cheap. A community college is the next reasonable choice. Or, a state votech school. Avoid private votech schools since they will over charge for a 3 week course (EMT). A good community college will also be best to evaluate your transcript from nursing to see where you might stand if you want the Paramedic certification.

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