Should I recert my EMT-B?

Specialties Emergency

Published

My EMT-B certification is expiring this spring, and I'm trying to decide whether it's worthwhile to recertify. I have one year left in a BSN program. I *am* interested in emergency nursing, but probably not flight nursing. I'm also hoping to do disaster-relief work eventually.

I got the EMT-B several years ago (seven, I guess) but have never worked pre-hospital. I did do several years of summer camp work with it, though. I'm kind of tired of the recert process--and it's expensive, too--but if this cert is going to be at all worth having once I've got my BSN, I want to hold on to it.

Opinions?

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

I kept my paramedic certification and have made use of it. It gave me instant PHRN which never expires. I have used my PHRN for critical care transport and air ambulance. It is easier to maintain the EMT-B than to have to re-aquire the certification. If you plan to work in emergency or critical care it may very well be helpful.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

IMHO, I would recert. I've kept up with mine and have utilized it on several occasions as an NP. Like snowfreeze said, very little to maintain in comparison to having to reacquire the cert.

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Specializes in Hospice.

My suggestion would also be to keep up your certification. And in regards to the expense, is it in the renewal itself or for inservice hours? Often there are many free options for inservice. Also, some classwork from school or inservices at work are also applicable. In Indiana, we don't have to pay any fee to the state at all to get our certifications renewed.

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Specializes in ED-CEN/PACU/Flight.

Keep it up-to-date!

I got my EMT-B in the early 90's - never did anything with it, and then regretted it in the early 00's. I went back through the class again and re-certified, and it was much more expensive this time around.

Even though I don't use it much anymore, it's worth keeping up to date. You'd be surprised how it will come in handy. It will provide that extra little edge to your resume as well.

As far as keeping all your in-service stuff current, if you work in a hospital, a lot of your nursing in-services should be applicable toward your EMT. But I suppose a lot of that will depend on what state you're in and what unit you work in.

Any volunteer EMT work you do should help with your re-cert hours as well.

Good luck with your decision!

Andrea ~ Andhow5

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Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, ICU, ER.

Keep it!

One of the biggest regrets of my life is allowing my EMT-I cert to lapse. :(

I was in a great non-medical career, and got tired of the recert time and expense. Here I am, my great career moved to India, seven years later in LNP school, rather than an EMT to RN Bridge program. Why? LPN school was faster and cheaper (with the State picking up most of the tab) than recerting would have been.

Keep your ticket: you never know when it might be beneficial.

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Specializes in RN,CCRN,CEN,CFRN,CCEMT/P.

I hope you have enough refresher and CEU's to recert. I always suggest to keep up as much as possible. I went back into the field full time... (reversed roles) while I finish my NP.

Glad I kept up my Paramedic .....

R/r 911

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