I am a Sophomore Business Management major looking for some career advice...
Based on a interest I have had for a number of years now, this past summer I took and successfully completed an EMT-B course at my local community college. For the clinical portion in my class, I got 40 hours in a level 1 trauma center, and absolutely LOVED it. My experience this summer has seriously got me to consider perusing the emergency medicine field after I complete my management degree.
My question to you guys is that I am getting fairly caught up in choosing between the RN vs. Medic route...(Please do not let this turn into one of "those" threads, and for now, let's say med school is off the table, and for discussions sake, let's say that I am only interested in becoming a ER RN...)
Is there any sort of niche market or advantage across the emergency medicine field for someone being both a RN and a EMT-P?
Based on my very limited experience of 40 hours in a ER and 12 hours riding with the local metro FD, both are appealing to me, so I am curious if you guys can provide any potential insight into either profession.
I do plan to continue riding with the FD and I have applied for a volunteer position in the local trauma centers to try and feel both sides out more, but I am wondering if you guys could add any advice to someone thinking about becoming a RN or a EMT-P...
Sorry for the late reply, I had a busy week at school and all with Thanksgiving break next week...
Thanks for all your thoughts and advice, I do appreciate it. It sounds like more or less the opinion is to (do what I like the most...) but to get the BSN, first. To be honest, (I did not mention this at first, as I did not want to bias your thoughts...And this is just based on my experiences for 40 hours in one ER and 1 12 hour ride along) my initial impression is that I like the hospital side of things more. However, I definitely will continue my ride along's and volunteering in the ER so I can get a more thorough opinion of both settings prior to making any decisions.
Also, thanks for the ideas on flight medic/nurse...I will look into that as well...
I will also keep in mind the job market side of things as well. I'm going to stick with the business degree, (see below) so minimum 2.5 years to I'd be able to enter nursing school, so I hope the economy improves by then:uhoh3:but that's a good point, and I will definitely keep that in mind.
My name is a bit of a misnomer:) as I actually attend a major university in St. Louis, MO that has a good nursing program...With that being said...
Do you guys have any opinions on "accelerated" BSN programs? I.e., a 12 month/3 semester program, that has two semesters of the standard prereq courses that one completes on their own, prior to entry...Good/bad/ugly? Maybe this is a separate thread in and of itself, but I've asked every RN I've come into contact with since my clinical's this summer, and about half have said "yes, do it!" and the other half "No, run away!" so I am curious as to your thoughts...
I think the problem finding nurse jobs is really geographic. None of the graduates around here seem to have had problems. Honestly, I think you'll have ten times the hardship finding work with a business degree than you will nursing.
Having gotten my first bachelor's degree years ago I often wish I'd majored in nursing instead. I really don't think I would've done much differently. I still probably would've gotten into law enforcement, but at least I'd have had a useful degree. I could also have worked part-time as an RN and made more than I did working as a part-time paramedic, lol. Hindsight is 20/20.
Although this is a no brainer, I do want to add though that what I learned, experienced, and observed as both a paramedic student and paramedic has put me at a level of understanding that seems light years beyond what the brand new people in my nurse classes seem to have. I'm interested in biology and medicine though so it's nothing for me to have spent the years sitting around reading A&P books, biology books, phar. material, researching diseases, etc. Perhaps it was my paramedic program, but our instructor really pounded in health assessment skills and pathophysiology, plus the curriculum is naturally more in depth in a lot of areas compared to nursing. All that said, if you did the same it'd work equally well for you, or if you did nursing first your understanding would be so much more than the other new EMT students.
In terms of accelerated programs, don't do anything less than 14 months- that's just downright crazy (14-16 months is already a crazy pace). My school had accelerated 14- and 16-month cohorts in addition to their 24-month program and I personally knew many of the accelerated students (as we took some of the same classes together at the same points in time). After seeing what it was like for them to go through a program like that, I'd say the successful completion of such a program is really dependent on the individual student. If you're a complete spongebrain (ie- most everything you learn clicks on the first pass), can learn while flying by the seat of your pants and are disciplined enough to study for several hours a day (in addition to classes), then I'd say go for it. Also, most of the accelerated students did not work during the program (ie- per-diem at the most) and had a good support system at home. So if you possess those characteristics, then I'd say go for it (no sarcasm intended, honest:)).
Do you guys have any opinions on "accelerated" BSN programs? I.e., a 12 month/3 semester program, that has two semesters of the standard prereq courses that one completes on their own, prior to entry...Good/bad/ugly? Maybe this is a separate thread in and of itself, but I've asked every RN I've come into contact with since my clinical's this summer, and about half have said "yes, do it!" and the other half "No, run away!" so I am curious as to your thoughts...
I did an 11 month program. It really does depend a lot on your ability to learn quickly and stay positive.
I would think that experience as an EMT would defiantly be an advantage over someone who has had absolutely no experience in the ER. Your best bet would be to be employed as an EMT while going to school so you can stay current with yours skills and knowledge. More than likely you will network with ER staff who might give you preferential treatment if a job becomes available after you finish nursing school.
purdue1014
8 Posts
Hi Guys,
Sorry for the late reply, I had a busy week at school and all with Thanksgiving break next week...
Thanks for all your thoughts and advice, I do appreciate it. It sounds like more or less the opinion is to (do what I like the most...) but to get the BSN, first. To be honest, (I did not mention this at first, as I did not want to bias your thoughts...And this is just based on my experiences for 40 hours in one ER and 1 12 hour ride along) my initial impression is that I like the hospital side of things more. However, I definitely will continue my ride along's and volunteering in the ER so I can get a more thorough opinion of both settings prior to making any decisions.
Also, thanks for the ideas on flight medic/nurse...I will look into that as well...
I will also keep in mind the job market side of things as well. I'm going to stick with the business degree, (see below) so minimum 2.5 years to I'd be able to enter nursing school, so I hope the economy improves by then:uhoh3:but that's a good point, and I will definitely keep that in mind.
My name is a bit of a misnomer:) as I actually attend a major university in St. Louis, MO that has a good nursing program...With that being said...
Do you guys have any opinions on "accelerated" BSN programs? I.e., a 12 month/3 semester program, that has two semesters of the standard prereq courses that one completes on their own, prior to entry...Good/bad/ugly? Maybe this is a separate thread in and of itself, but I've asked every RN I've come into contact with since my clinical's this summer, and about half have said "yes, do it!" and the other half "No, run away!" so I am curious as to your thoughts...
Thanks again for your thoughts...
Cheers,
Purdue