Career/Education Advice - LPN or Paramedic

[labnurs]

I've been searching all day on this site and I'm almost afraid to ask this question based on the forum battles I keep seeing.

Anyway, I'm having a bit of a dilemma. My nursing career "dream" is to work in an ICU. I know I would burn out quickly working in a nursing home or other LTC.

I'm all set to start an LPN program in January. My eventual goal is to do an RN bridge program. However, when looking into bridge programs, I kept coming across LPN/Paramedic to RN programs, and it got me thinking.

Would having an EMT-P as an RN help me secure employment in an ICU? Would the pay be better if I'm an RN with paramedic certs?

When it comes down to it, it's the same amount of time in school. Maybe a little less depending on the paramedic program I pick.

There are a few other considerations, but I wanted to know if, given my eventual critical care goals, if I should really be considering the Paramedic route?? help

[ruralgirl08]

I am not familiar with the Paramedic to RN Bridge programs. But I think it would be an asset, to eventually applying to an ICU when you become an RN. They already know you can function in high stress situations, and you are familiar with some of the basic critical care skills, being a first responder (ECGs, some drugs, airways, defibrillation, ect.) I don't think you would necessarily make more money, but I could be wrong. It would be a benefit to other critical care nursing areas such as emergency or flight nursing. I would go the Paramedic route if this is an option, and you eventually want ICU. I think it would have more advantages. But either bridge program can get you there once you are an RN.