Challenging the Paramedic exam as RN

[sandbag3]

Anyone out there recently done this in Fla? I have been an EMT for many years and wanted to challenge the FLA paramedic exam since I am now an RN in FLA. I have registered to take the exam... Need to know...

1. What books to buy to study for the exam?

2. CE Brokers has a $165 program-is this a good idea or overkill?

Any help would be appreciated.

[MursingMedic, DNP, RN, EMT-P]

To answer the OP's question.... there are few if any RN to Medic bridge programs remaining in Florida. The only one in central Florida that I had known about was at Seminole Community College and that was a while back. About 6-8 years ago they started popping up when there was a strong demand for medics and the economy was better. Once the field got flooded with new medics of all varieties and backgrounds (mostly sub-par IMO), then the "nursing shortage" started and hasn't let up since.

Since the "nursing shortage" started, most places that were just starting their RN to Medic bridge programs have stopped either due to lack of demand or lack of interest due to more emphasis on nursing instead of EMS.

Sorry, but maybe google can produce a better outlook on this than I have.

As an alternative, if you really want to do this, I would suggest buying the entire brady series of paramedic books (doesn't have to be the latest edition, but not older than 5 years either) and read them cover to cover to be familiar with all aspects of being a "book medic" since that's what the NREMT tests on. After that, contact your local community college that has a medic program and ask who they suggest for a test prep course. There are many out there and they are set up like Kaplan NCLEX prep courses. It's usually a 2-3 day intense class on preparing for the NREMT.

Before the prep class, go and buy a NREMT-P prep book or two and familiarize yourself with the questions. Those books are great. Since the Florida EMT-P test is the EXACT SAME test bank as provided to those testing for the National Registry, you should be well prepared. Be advised though, if you take the Florida test, you will not receive your NREMT-P card, just a Florida medic certification. Yes, medics are not licensed, they're certified... that way nurses can consider them UAP's

Any more questions, don't hesitate to call your local CC or better yet, your local EMS agency. They're usually thrilled when a nurse shows interest in what they do. If you call an actual 911 ambulance service (not an FD typically) they will let you do ride time as an observer if their insurance allows. Good Luck!