Career Dilemma

[Rodiger]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and hoping someone might be able to answer a few questions for me :)

First a little background info. I'm a 27 year old male attending UNM and about 2 years away from biomedical engineering. While I enjoy the math, critical thinking and problem solving; I do not like the direction in which the field of engineering is heading. That said, I am looking for a local job with a BS degree that will enhance my chances with the fire department and will also offer a wide array of opportunities within the health field -- nursing seems to be the way to go.

However, I'm unsure as to what degree my chances with the fire department will be. I'm hoping someone hear might have some insight to offer. Do any of you know or know someone who got into the fire department with a BSN degree/fire science associates?

Also, would there be enough time to work for both the fire department and as a nurse? The fire department has a 48 hour shift typically and 4 - 5 days off thereafter. I've been reading that there is a huge issue with nurses being overworked, so perhaps that would limit the idea of working for both the fire dept and nursing.

Oh, a side question: Is there any nursing field that involves the use of Calculus? I've worked hard on my way up pretty high in math and might like to use it for a job.

Thank you for taking the time in reading this and any response you might add.

Rod H.

[Wendy_RN]

A fire science degree will definitely help you secure a position within the fire service. A lot of the departments are requiring the degree now.

The shift rotations vary within different city departments. A common shift is 24 hours on, 48 hours off. You would certainly have opportunities to pick up shifts as a nurse if this is something you want to do. The only problem with that is callbacks. If the department deems it necessary to call the previous days shift back in for a major alarm, then you are expected to respond.

My husband is a firefighter. If you want to PM me I will be happy to answer any questions I can.

[Perpetual Student]

You could likely work FT as a firefighter and PT as a nurse. I've actually met a fellow that does just that (he's an LPN, actually, so he doesn't have a BSN). The "overworking" complaint re: nursing mostly pertains to too much work during the shift(s) that you agree to work, not mandatory overtime or anything.

I'd highly recommend against getting a BSN if you do not wish to work at least PT as a nurse. I believe it would be a super part time career, and when you get older and less physically able it'd be an excellent career to transition into.

I'm not aware of any nursing positions that require the use of calculus, but there might be some sort of research position or such that would benefit from such a background.

[zamboni]

One of our ER nurses is also a firefighter. In fact, he's going PT at the ER and FT at the fire department, because the retirement is so much better. His FD only works 24 hour shifts, so it'll be pretty easy to pick up shifts at the hospital. It's also a small FD and they really don't use callbacks, as if something requires multi alarms, they call in backup from big cities...and that's happened once in the past 20 years. (We're also losing a hella good nurse and friend, and I'm bummed for me but happy for him).

And yeah, as long as you can pass the physical agility tests, a BS in FA should get you to the top of the list.

[Wendy_RN]

And yeah, as long as you can pass the physical agility tests, a BS in FA should get you to the top of the list.

A fire science degree and passing the physical agility tests will HELP you secure a position, but they will NOT put you at the top of the list. There are other criteria considered when a department hires firefighters. I would suggest joining a volunteer department if you have not already done so. The experience you will get there is invaluable and it also shows that this is something you KNOW you want to do versus something you were good at in school. Certifications are a huge consideration. A volunteer department will help you get those. Yes, a degree is nice for a firefighter to have, but it is nothing compared to the certifications. Those courses are where firefighters truly learn the profession.

[Rodiger]

Thank you all for the responses, again.

I didn't think about nursing be a good transition for when I get older; that comment pretty much just sealed the idea in my head--I would LOVE to work for the fire department and, though I'm slightly apprehensive about nursing because I don't know full well all that I am getting into, I've always felt I'd be generally good in healthcare. My cousin was hospitalized less than a year ago with Guillain-Barre Syndrome and I spent many nights nurturing him. He said out of everyone there I was the most delicate and effective "nurse" he had. So, I do feel I'd be a good nurse as well as a fireman :)

I definitely feel that a BSN in nursing would be a great way for me to go. It may help me into the Fire Dept. if I end up needing that extra resume boost and provide me job security well into retirement. Yes, I do plan on working at least part time. Out of curiousity, Perpetual Student, why would you recommend against it otherwise?

A BS in FA; is that the same as fire science? Unfortunately here the university does not offer anything in fire science and our community college offers an associates in it. Yes, I will pass the agility reqs.

If, for some reason, I got my BS in nursing, and didnt practice for several years, how hard would it be to get back into it?

[Perpetual Student]

Out of curiousity, Perpetual Student, why would you recommend against it otherwise?

Nursing programs are notoriously stressful and time consuming. It also sounds like you have a strong interest in the hard sciences, while nursing focuses more on the soft side of things. Plus it'd be a bummer if someone that didn't really want to be a nurse took one of the limited opportunities available to become one.

If you weren't working as a nurse but kept your license current (completed any necessary continuing education and continued to pay the fees) it likely wouldn't be too hard to find some kind of job (perhaps not the one you most want, but a nursing job nonetheless and a way to get back into the swing of things), but if you let your license lapse you'd likely have to go through a refresher program.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I would absolutely encourage the OP.

I also have to disagree that nursing does not focus on the hard sciences. Yes, I provide "the softer stuff", but that comes after the "hard science" of the pharmacology of what we're going to do for the patient.

I work with a number of nurses who also work as medics and a couple who work with their local FD.

Good luck to you OP, and stay safe. :)

[preemieRNkate, RN]

I live close to NYC (and also have an FDNY boyfriend), and I know that there are many FFs that are also nurses. My bf and his coworkers are supposed to work either a 9-hour day shift or a 15-hour night shift, but they often trade with other guys so they each wind up working a 24-hour shift. That leaves alot of time for side work, and most of them have some kind of side job. Alot of the guys in my bf's firehouse do construction, but there is a guy who works as a radiology tech and a guy that is a Broadway stagehand. There are no nurses in his firehouse, but he knows a few from other houses. Also, they can retire after 20 years. Many of them got on the job in their early 20's, so they will be retiring relatively young. I went to school with plenty of people in their 40's. I don't believe that the FDNY requires any specific college degree, just 60 college credits.

Good luck!