Can Grad Nurses challenge the EMT exam?

[number41]

Anyone know if this is possible in CT? Do you have to be licensed to do so?

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

Your best bet is to check with the EMS agency there. They'll tell you if you must be a Licensed RN to challenge the EMT exam and be certified/licensed as an EMT in CT. Now then, there are certain aspects of being an EMT that RN school will not prepare you for. These are mostly scene-safety things and other operational matters that are just specific to EMS. If an RN takes an EMT course, sometimes they're allowed to challenge the Paramedic's License exam.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

In order to sit for the exam without taking the course you need to be a currently licensed RN (see page 5 section 2(b)in the link) and take a 25 hr refresher EMT class before you can sit for the exam.

http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/ems/pdf/forms/emsapp2a_(3)_fillable__09_14_2012.pdf

2. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification

Eligibility Routes

- An applicant must be at least sixteen (16) years old and meet one of the following requirements:

2(a)

Examination- Successful completion of a Department-approved EMT training program Connecticut that included

written and practical examinations or if outside of Connecticut, a program which adhered to the United States

Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, EMT National Standard

Curriculum; or

2(b)

Examination- Current unrestricted Connecticut licensure as a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse,

physician or physician assistant and successful completion of a Department-approved 25 hour EMT refresher course

that included written and practical examinations; or

2©

Endorsement- Current certification as an EMT by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or by a

state or territory maintaining certification requirements equal to or higher than those of this state; or

2(d)

Endorsement- Current, valid license/certification in good standing as an EMT in Maine, Massachusetts, New

Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island or Vermont.

[Strive2Survive]

What part of CT are you from? I work for an EMS agency in New Haven county and we have a few RN's on board mostly as paramedics. I was just talking to my partner about one of the RN's who had trouble passing the refresher course because she couldn't stick to the basics of bls lol

[number41]

lol I'm sure that must be difficult to switch your mentality. Just because you're qualified for a certain level of care doesn't mean you can do any kind, I'd definitely need some type of course beyond just challenging the exam.. especially at the medic level!