Don't know what to do......

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I am currently wondering about EMT to RN. I hear it is beneficial and also that it is a waste of time. Being a nurse is something I have wanted to do but am worried that it wont be right for me. I feel like EMT would be beneficial for some basic knowledge of the medical field since I have none and a good test of whether I will like it or not. Also I hear the 2 are very different so it might not really be a good test for me. I dont want to waste my time with it if it won't really help me with RN. Money is going to be an issue so I sure don't want to waste my money also. I'm mostly interested in how it helps with RN and the the major differences between the 2. I keep going back and forth with it and would just like someones advice who knows more about it than I do lol.

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Well I am an RN of 2.5 yrs with no previous medical experience, and where I work the EMT's basically do the same thing as the ER nurses....besides going out in the ambulance....triage pts, take vitals, history, that sort of thing...they are our saviors in code blues...help us out in any situation. The downside to being an EMT....the pay. They make about $7-10 and hour less that the RN's. They deserve so much more for what they do. Now maybe it's different in other parts of the country...I hope so.

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Hi leddle, I am a nursing student in my last semester and I also got my EMT cert before getting into nursing school. Actually, the only reason I got my EMT was because I wanted to become a paramedic. During the EMT program, we were required to put in some time at an ER in a local hospital. After seeing the role of nurses in the acute care setting and what they actually do (as opposed to what I thought they did based on TV shows and mainstream "knowledge"), I decided to change my career path and become an RN.

Becoming an EMT will give you, at most, a very brief primer to a few concepts you will study in nursing. In other words, it will barely scratch the surface of the knowledge you need in nursing. The opportunities that come with the certificate, however, is where I think it really shines. With an EMT cert, you can work as a tech in an ER during nursing school and learn a lot of the skills and protocols that nurses use. You won't be able to give medications, do in-depth assessments, start IVs, or do a lot of what nurses can do, but the hospital has been the best classroom for me during nursing school!

If you aren't sure if you even want to be a nurse, a CNA or EMT course will help you get some exposure. The problem is, the opportunities in nursing are so broad (OR, ER, ICU, L&D, etc.) that even these won't begin to give you an accurate picture of what a nurse can do. All this being said- if you are a smart and caring person that can handle challenges and isn't afraid to get your hands dirty, nursing may be your forte.

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If it were me, I would go straight to nursing school and not worry about trying to become an EMT. If you get your EMT, you will learn a few of the things that you cover in nursing school, but this knowledge will be very limited, so in that aspect, it will not prepare you for nursing school. Also, the pay for EMTs is so low that I doubt you would be able to work as an EMT and pay your way through nursing school. If you are looking to have quick dealings with your patients, stabilize them in the field, and drop them off in the ER, then being an EMT would probably work out well for you. However, if you are looking to spend a great deal of time taking care of a patient, watching them improve, and working in a hospital setting, then you probably need to get your RN. If you are interested in critical care, you can always work as an ER or ICU nurse.

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Specializes in Emergency, Pre-Op, PACU, OR.

What you can do as an EMT in a hospital setting will also depend on your facility/area. In my area, EMTs who work as techs in EDs can start IVs, do 12-lead EKGs, can in some facilities do foleys, splints, etc. If you are interested in acute care then being an EMT/tech can give you a chance to test out the field and give you some insight into what ED nurses do. You will be often limited to EDs/ field work, but on the other hand, I know many EDs who do not hire CNAs but only EMTs as techs. Also, having some EMS experience might look good on a nursing school application.

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Thank you! Everyone was a BIG help. It was nice to hear from people who know from experience. I have some time before we move home to make a decision so I'm still open to any advice =]

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ICU, ED.

If I were you, I would complete all of my nursing prerequisites and aim at going to nursing school. If you don't get in, use EMT as a backup plan in case you get rejected. While you are waiting, go to EMT school and keep applying to nursing school until you get in. You could also work while waiting to get into a nursing school and get some experience along the way. Also, during the summer break during nursing school once you get in, you can work as an EMT again. Basically, just don't keep all of your eggs in one basket. Always be prepared and have a back-up plan.

Hope this helps! :)

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
Well I am an RN of 2.5 yrs with no previous medical experience, and where I work the EMT's basically do the same thing as the ER nurses....besides going out in the ambulance....triage pts, take vitals, history, that sort of thing...they are our saviors in code blues...help us out in any situation. The downside to being an EMT....the pay. They make about $7-10 and hour less that the RN's. They deserve so much more for what they do. Now maybe it's different in other parts of the country...I hope so.

It is very unfortunate but where I live they make 10 to 15 less an hour :( My husband is one and loves what he does but they are increditably underpaid.

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