EMT-B while waiting for ADN?

Hotflashn · May 16, 2008

I think if nothing else, the EMT course is great practice - both of skills and of skills assessment. I took it about 7 years ago, and then did the refresher a few times. It was really a lot of fun. You will do great, too, because you have already had the A&P, and that was the part that gave a few others with no background a hard time. So that will be a great review.

Even if you don't intend to find work as an EMT, it is still useful. As for your age, I was considerably older than many of the fresh faced boys who were taking it as a firefighting prereq. Sometimes I felt a little "set-up" and was not sure if it was my age or because I was "a girl." They would often pair me up with the other female student (she was young) who was a teeny, tiny, little bitty thing and they would have us try to get a 250 (or more!) pound guy out of a bathroom stall or down the stairs, or out of a car. We did not have the strength and even with planning, smarts, and equipment it was hard. They would have a great laugh at our expense. I didn't worry too much because I knew I wasn't going to work as an EMT ever.

If you are thinking about being an ER nurse, it would be great - you could get a job as a ER tech.

Do it!

Sandy_dfw · May 16, 2008

I think it is a great experience. I used to be a paramedic and loved it.

It is a great experience. I am still doing my prereq's for nursing school.

I am also going to try and get a job in an ER when I am done.

Your age should not be a factor for EMT school, I am 45 and can still

do the job physically.

Good luck and have fun.

Sandy

futurecnmstudent · May 16, 2008

How about getting a job as an ED tech? You don't have to be licensed, and it would give you exposure to the emergency department.

Scooter321 · May 16, 2008

How about getting a job as an ED tech? You don't have to be licensed, and it would give you exposure to the emergency department.

I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that without training, but I might consider it then. As I said, though, it would be difficult for me to quit the job I have now until I actually finish nursing school. Frankly, I don't think I could afford the pay cut, and the flexibility I have now is great. Some might say I'm crazy to give it up at all to be a nurse, but I'm sure it is what I want to do with the rest of my working life, so I'm following my heart for once.

I will definitely consider the ED tech route later though--if I could find something that would work with nursing school and not be too huge a pay cut. I'm sure I'd love it!

Thank you all for your replies. I love that the word "fun" keeps cropping up. I can't wait to get started!

lemonlimeEMT · May 17, 2008

Hey, some of the best medics I've worked with are older. They picked up the EMT/paramedic thing as something to do after retirement. As long as you are phsyically capable of doing the job, then I say go for it!! Especially if ED nursing is what you want to go into.

I got in to nursing because I worked as EMT and I have loved [almost] every second I've spent on an ambulance. It can be a great job!

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · May 17, 2008

I loved being an EMT and to this very day some of the things I do in the ICU relate to my EMT training.

It's invaluable!

Scooter321 · May 17, 2008

Thanks, guys! You're all making me so excited to get started! I am a bit of an adrenaline junky, (I think I'm missing my youthful days as a police officer in London), :redlight: and I may not be able to resist the thought of working as an EMT or ED tech after training--if I can afford it AND if I can find such a job. I wonder what the chances are of doing either job part-time? Hmmmnnnn. :idea:

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · May 24, 2008

That's my contingency plan- if I don't get in to nursing school for Fall 2009, I'm going to get my EMT-B and work and reapply. My SO is an EMT and is in paramedic school right now.