Considering a career in nursing (EMS background)

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Hey all.

This is my first post here... I am trying to figure out what to do with my life and figured i could use a bit of advice :)

I am currently doing my undergrad in bio-anth and am almooost done. I had always planned on going to med school, but I have been a volunteer first responder for 5 years now, and just went through an EMT program. I am planning on working as an EMT for a couple of years while I figure out exactly what I want to do. I am also considering paramedic programs.

I am also running into some financial hardships at the moment that may make it difficult to complete my bachelor's at this time (just to complicate my life a bit).

I know that I absolutely love emergency medicine, and pre-hospital is lots of fun. However, I loved my ED rotations, and could absolutely see myself working there. Lately though, I have realized that what I have in common with everything I enjoy about what I'm doing right now, is the hands on patient care. Yeah, I love the procedural and assessment stuff as well, but what I love the most is getting to talk to the patients and hear about what they want and need and be by their side. From my shadowing experience of doctors, you just don't get that as much in medicine as in nursing.

I also would really like to have a family at some point, spend time with them, and not have to attend 8 further years of schooling/training to get to the point where i have a stable (and not 80 hours per week!) job.

Any suggestions on how to proceed? Anybody that went from a career in EMS to nursing? I would greatly appreciate some input here, as at this point, I'm not really sure what my next step should be. :)

Thank you!

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Why not go for your RN and work to pay off debt, you can get NP or PA and work in the ER as well. Its really up to you and it will show you if you like the ER. Its a bit different than EMT (I have my EMT-B), but as rewarding. Med school can always be an option down the road as well if you do get set on MD.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I was a paramedic before I was an ER nurse. There is overlap, but it's apples and oranges. In any case, working as an EMT will likely be interesting and might give you a bit more direction/guidance. Good luck!

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A few things to consider....

You are a volunteer EMT now. Are there many paid EMT jobs in your area and how many applicants per 1 opening?

Do you have to be a firefighter to get a job as a Paramedic?

How many of your classes will allow you to go to an accelerated BSN degree?

With a Bachelors degree in sight, what classes would you need to go directly to a Masters for PA? Emergency dept PAs are in demand. But so are Trauma Nurse Specialists. You would have many more opportunities while being a Paramedic is rather limited.

Your state may also have a Prehospital RN certification. Or, the state might allow RNs to challenge the Paramedic exam.

With your financial issues you would be easy prey for a medic mill which promises you the moon with as easy loan putting you in deep debt for many years. Be careful.

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I worked EMS then went through a Bachelor's Nursing program and now work in an ER. I too loved prehospital and may one day go back to my roots and fly the skies. At this point, you have so many options to consider. If I were you and was so close to a BSN in bio, I would go the PA route. As mentioned, they are in high demand, they make more money than NP's, and honestly they are better prepared. If you get your RN, you will eventually want to further your education and wish you would've gone to PA anyway. Just my opinion.

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