emt-basic good idea to get it before i apply to an ER/ED?

Specialties Emergency

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Specializes in Flight RN, Trauma1 CVICU STICU MICU CCU.

Hi there,

Here is my life dream, flight nurse, from what i have read and seen online... i would put that at a 6 year goal. (as in 6 years from now)

Currently I am a level 3/4 student in an ADN program. I recently certified for ACLS and PALS.

I am trying like mad to get into an ER/ED as a tech, for the next 9 months of school, so that I can pre-orient to the ER. There is only one hospital in austin that hires GNs. They don't have room for me as a tech right now.

My scheme is to do an online EMT-B course (it's self paced with a 2 week clinical / skills session at the end of your coursework) The cost is only $750 and i could do the online portion concurrently with my last semester of RN school. This would land me in the position to graduate in May of 09 and then a few weeks later certify for my EMT-B, before i start applying to hospitals.

It will take 30 days before they will let me take my NCLEX anyway, so this is just dead time that i can fill.

Do you think that this would make me a more attractive candidate having the EMT-B and being an GN (or an RN with no otj experience after i take the NCLEX)??

I plan on taking a btls/itls class if i can get into one in my area and i also have contacts at the heart hospital who will let me sit in on TNCC, EKG, other nursing education classes.

Is this a logical pathway that i am taking? Honestly... i just can't get a job as a med/surg nurse, that isn't the kind of care giver i am. its just not for me. I could see myself taking a spot in ICU, CCU, but in my heart i know that ER is where i am supposed to be right now. It suits my personality and my desire for intensity.

Any advice? I'm all ears!

Is it a bad idea to take this online course? It prepares you for the National Registry. Is it important to take the national? or is it acceptable to just get a state license?

thanks for your time!

jimi

here is a link to the website http://www.trainingdivision.com/

have you looked at trying to get involved with your local fire department(s)? I am a former EMT-B and now a new grad RN. Last time I did my re-cert for EMT, there were a few RN's in the class, taking the EMT test (and they didn't need to take and pay for the whole EMT course) in order to crew for a rescue team in the national forest or something. perhaps you could just study for the EMT test and also the NCLEX and only take a local EMT review class as soon as you get your RN.

that would save you money and time and then you would also have an 'in' at your city's EMS. I thought, out here in L.A., that it was more important for flight nurses to have a year of med-surg and also some ICU and not so much any ER experience.

consider, too, the national register for EMT is supposed to be very difficult now.

Specializes in Flight RN, Trauma1 CVICU STICU MICU CCU.

So you think its a better idea to just challenge the exam? Passing the national registry is really just like a multi-state license, right? It isn't necessary to hold it, if i hold the state license, right?

I don't think i will mind paying out the money, but you think i would learn enough to pass the test in a review class?

Are emt tests in the same vein as rn tests... (e.g. multiple right answers, but one is more right)?

thanks for the reply

jimi

So you think its a better idea to just challenge the exam? Passing the national registry is really just like a multi-state license, right? It isn't necessary to hold it, if i hold the state license, right?

I don't think i will mind paying out the money, but you think i would learn enough to pass the test in a review class?

Are emt tests in the same vein as rn tests... (e.g. multiple right answers, but one is more right)?

thanks for the reply

jimi

Depends, some states allow NREMT credentialed candidates to obtain reciprocity while others require a state exam or course. I would not call NREMT a multi state license. In fact, NREMT does not license anybody. The only area where you can use NREMT without a state license would be government type work.

You are correct in that you will need a state license/certification to function as an EMT. NREMT; however, can help you transfer and gain reciprocity in states that accept NREMT credentials.

EMT tests are all over the place. Many states have their own testing requirements, while others simply accept NREMT. NREMT requires both an exam and psychomotor test. NREMT-B requires you to pass through six graded skill stations as part of the psychomotor exam process. Many states have a similar process. This serves not purpose other than making students memorize a piece of paper to perform a station the way NREMT deems proper.

Nearly all NREMT "written" exams are now computer based adaptive testing much like the NCLEX. The material and questions will be very different from what you are taught as a nurse. BLS is strongly emphasized and you may develop confusion as to what is a proper answer if you study for both the NCLEX and NREMT at the same time.

As far as ER work: EMT training is never a bad idea for anybody who works in health care; however, EMT-B is not going to be all that helpful to you as an ER nurse. All things equal between you and another candidate, having EMT may give you an edge on getting the job. I had several years of EMS under my belt and still had a huge learning curve. EMT training does not emphasize any in hospital modalities nor do you learn any techniques that you do not already know as a nurse (or should know), with the exception of EMS operations. This is helpful when dealing with EMS; however, not terribly helpful if you stay in the ER setting only.

I say focus on nursing school and spend your time and energy getting ready for NCLEX-RN. This, after all is what will pay the bills, not EMT-B. Once you pass the NCLEX, you can focus time and energy into passing a basic EMT course. IMHO as always.

Specializes in Emergency Dept, ICU.

EMT-P, Better idea.

As well as neonatal resus, BTLS, and board certifcation in CEN or CCRN.

EMT-P, Better idea.

As well as neonatal resus, BTLS, and board certifcation in CEN or CCRN.

Yeah; however, we are talking about a nursing student who wants to look at EMT-B as a way to give him an advantage at nailing a job in the ER as a new grad or working as an ER tech to gain a bit of ER experience. The said courses and credentials are unreasonable expectations for a new grad RN. You cannot even send in an application to take the CCRN without documented critical care experience. Taking a paramedic course while finishing nursing school is an unreasonable expectation and quite frankly, a recipe for disaster IMHO. NRP may be a course to consider and CEN as a new grad is a bit unrealistic without some ER experience.

Specializes in Flight RN, Trauma1 CVICU STICU MICU CCU.

Thank you for the replies and discussion.

I am definitely considering the EMT-P, but that is not one of my immediate goals.

Would anyone care to comment on one of my previous questions?

Is the "online emt-b" a bad idea? In terms of being in school for my RN already, that isn't a big issue. Yes, school is hard, but i know i can handle taking a self paced course (this program lets you take as much time as you want, there are no deadlines and the only other requirement is that you take your 2 week skills/clinical boot camp at the end of your coursework)

I can understand that emt-b is not going to be "that" helpful in the ER, but as Gila noted, this is a way for me to stand out from other applicants. I do feel that i will get some benefit from the EMS assessment algorithms, plus learning skills like putting people on backboards, immobilizing c-spine, basic trauma and airway management are all great skills to understand and have under my belt getting into the ED setting.

I really want this knowledge anyway, so it isn't like i'm just trying to put more letters behind my name. I'm an avid rock climber, so I know that EMT-B is a great start at first responder (i go remote for climbing ALOT)

I just wanted to bounce these ideas off of some real nurses and see if i am just being silly, by planning on this online course. Would it be a better idea to get a book and just challenge the test (you can in texas). Do you think that people will be satisfied seeing an emt-b license, no matter how i got it?

Having been an EMT-I for 12 years and a nursing student (in a few weeks), I would think that your EMT-B is quite a step down skills-wise from your ADN? Your so close to your ADN, I would focus on that. I would think that the ADN would stand out far more than your EMT-B certification.

The work experience is what will stand out on a resume and also could provide you with references for future positions.

As far as taking your EMT-B online....not a problem. And if you can challenge the course, can't hurt to try. We don't have the option in my state. I took my EMT-I via telecourse with practicals on the weekends at a nearby fire department.

Best of luck whichever route you choose....

Online EMT-B is not a bad idea IMHO. Look, the EMT-B curriculum is essentially a 110 hour advanced first aid course. At least you actually have a two week clinical component. This is more than many EMT-B courses.

I am not sure EMT-B will make you stand out significantly. Hospitals need RN's and many ER's hire newly minted RN's. Theoretically, all other things equal, EMT-B would make you stand out when compared with an equally qualified candidate.

I am not against EMT-B. Just remember, focus on nursing, get through school, pass the NCLEX, and obtain solid ER/ICU experience as a nurse. Anything else is icing on the cake. However, the prior concepts are essential foundational components for any future flight nurse. After all, this is you goal.

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I'm not sure that simply acquiring EMT-B certification will make an applicant that much more attractive in the same way that work experience as an EMT-B over a period of time would.

Be aware too that some flight services require a BSN. Seek out what the application requirements are for flight services in your area.

Specializes in Flight RN, Trauma1 CVICU STICU MICU CCU.

I guess the reason why i have been going on about EMT-B is that most of the hospitals in my area DO NOT hire GN/New RN into the ER. On the job title it is always (Nurse II, III, IV). Furthermore any tech who applies to the ER's in town all have the minimum requirement of EMT-B. Now then there is 1 hospital that does hire GN's and hopefully Mr. Gumbert will hire me when i graduate, but until then i am going to try and beef up my resume as much as i can. That is where i'm at right now. I definitely am concentrating hard on school.

Obviously, later in my career, i will have to make a switch into ICU - or start there if i can't get into the ER at graduation.

From what I have seen and read i have determined for myself that i would like to certify in the ER and ICU before getting into a flight nursing masters program. I figure with those two certifications behind me and getting my masters that will put me in the place where i want to be.

It would be so much easier if someone would just hire me because they knew how bad i want it and how dedicated i am.

thanks again for all the responses.

i would definitely do it. i'm an emt-b myself, and i have to disagree with the person who compared emt programs to advanced first aid. additionally, it is never a bad thing to have too many certifications. especially since different employers & agencies have different expectations and requests when it comes to certifications. some places may want you to have your emt. if you are badly looking for er experience, having your emt could open up er tech positions. you can also work on an ambulance and get great first hand emergency experience (here in az at least). when i did my emt program, we had to get clinical hours in the hospital. if you program is the same, it would allow you to meet people in the er and potentially network for future employment.

if you have down time, outside of the cost of the program, then why not do it? it is just 1 more cert to add to your resume and potentially open up other doors to employment. additionally, it will provide a great review for what you might have already learned in adn, but will definitely need to bring to er as a tech, etc. imho, go for it. :up:

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