Do EMT's have more skills than LPN's?

[S.N. Visit, BSN, RN]

I was talking with a woman, who said her husband is an EMT and he want's to bridge over to a nursing program. Me not knowing a thing about EMT's asked would this be a bridge to an LPN program or RN program. She laughed and said " EMT's have far more education and skill's than LPN's, so it would have to be an RN program."

So, What skills and education do EMT's have that LPN's lack? I didn't have time to ask her and I'm dying of curiosity but don't have time to do lengthy & slow dial up modem Google searches.

[suzanne4, RN]

EMTs cannot bridge to an RN program but a paramedic can, and only thru Escelsior and it is not accepted for the RN license in all states.

There is a big difference in skills and education just between the EMT and the paramedic.

And the paramedic would bridge to the RN program.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I am always so amazed that folks think nursing is about skills. It truly isn't a skills subset, but rather patient assessment which is based on in-depth knowledge of A&P, micro, chem, etc. To say that the two career paths are interchangeable isn't true either. One is not better than the other - they just have different roles in our healthcare system.

[Jedi_Iatros]

There's basically 3 types of EMTs.

EMT-Basic

EMT-Intermediate

EMT-Paramedic

Only paramedics can surpass LVNs skills wise. EMT B's aren't allowed to start IV's and they can only assist the patient with meds (epinephrine, puffers, NTG's, etc).

I'm both (LVN and EMT) and I personally think being a licensed nurse is more demanding skills wise. I yawned throughout my refresher EMT class months ago.

[allthingsbright]

I was talking with a woman, who said her husband is an EMT and he want's to bridge over to a nursing program. Me not knowing a thing about EMT's asked would this be a bridge to an LPN program or Rn program. She laughed and said " EMT's have far more education and skill's than LPN's, so it would have to be an RN program."

So, What skills and education do EMT's have that LPN's lack? I didn't have time to ask her and I'm dying of curiosity but don't have time to do lengthy & slow dial up modem google searches.

Actually, I think in our nursing programs EMT's could bridge until last year, so maybe there are still some programs that admit them?

I thought EMT's and LPN's had almost equivalent training???

[SFCardiacRN]

EMT certification is a 1 semester class. They get BLS and a rudimentary overview of emergency procedure and disease process. EMT is entry level education to healthcare on par with CNA. LVN/LPN is a licensing program on par with RN. LVN education goes in depth into disease process and patient care. Sure, I want an EMT to scrape me off the street but I'd prefer an LVN to take over at the hospital. I'm a former EMT then ORT and current RN.

[neneRN, BSN, RN]

Education is different, but as far as skills go, in my area, EMTs can do EKGs, apply monitor, Accuchecks, apply O2, take VS, initiate spinal immobilization, and with an additional class, start IVs.

Paramedics, however, are a different story, and I think many who don't deal with pre-hospital care providers aren't even aware that there is a distinction. Paramedics can intubate, start IVs, administer medications, run codes, defib, initiate Bipap. Often, by the time a pt makes it to the ER, it is the paramedic who has stabilized him. For an example, with a pt in frank pulmonary edema, by the time the pt makes it to the hospital, the paramedic will have diagnosed the pt, started an IV and drawn labs, given IV lasix, started a NTG gtt, performed an EKG, applied O2; whether that may be with a mask/Bipap/or by 100% BVM with intubation.

I have seen paramedic to RN bridge programs but never a bridge to an LPN program. In my state, an RN can also become a paramedic by taking the EMT class and then challenging the paramedic exam.