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?
Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.
How exciting for you! You're getting so close! After I got my EMT-B license I started working in the ER and just loved it! When I did get my nursing license I was even considered for a job because they wanted to start hiring LVN's. I knew I wasn't ready and was directed to a med/surg position which was a good start for me.
San Diego doesn't utilize EMT-B's in emergencies. They just do transports. But I worked hard for that license too so I'm keeping it up. I"m going to re-test in January to renew. I"m sure you'll do fine on the exam. I need to pick up my old EMT book again and study :)
My experience- an EMT-basic is a driver, unless it is a simple case that will go to triage when rolling in the door, or unless they need someone to do compressions. Paramedics will do the rest.
You need more experience. You're here in NJ, so I'm guessing you ride volly. If so, then:
1) You won't always have medics.
2) Even those "simple cases" require assessment and in many cases, interventions. You don't just transport them, you assess all pts, right?
3) Sometimes those BLS dispatches for "not feeling well/feeling weak" get sporty upon your arrival.
You need more experience. You're here in NJ, so I'm guessing you ride volly. If so, then:
1) You won't always have medics.
2) Even those "simple cases" require assessment and in many cases, interventions. You don't just transport them, you assess all pts, right?
3) Sometimes those BLS dispatches for "not feeling well/feeling weak" get sporty upon your arrival.
3a) see #1.
In NC, MY experience as a basic was that- basic. Probably had a lot to do with location. Living in a town with a large learning hospital, even the paramedics were limited with what they could do, in order to give the residents more experience in the hospital.
And yes, we should always have medics, at least where I am. Even if I didn't have a medic with me, my scope of practice is limited. In NC, basics can give oxygen, activated charcoal po, the patients own epi pen or nitro, ASA, and one other (can't remember). Yes, you might be able to get a good assessment in, but what a basic is trained to do is much more limited- they're not taught as much in terms of assessment as a medic is.
At least here, if you get the "not feeling well" that turned out to be "sporty", you call for ALS intercept unless you'd be quicker getting to the hospital.
Guess location and local and state protocols really matter here, huh.
I can't edit, but wanted to add- by no means do I think medics are brilliant people. There are plenty who somehow made it through school, Lord knows why. There are some who know more than the doctors and I would trust to take care of my child. Same with basics.
I remember having to explain a long leg splint to a medic during skills checkoff. He got really peeved about that. LOL
I'm waiting for permission to sit for NCLEX exam (graduate from nursing school outside US). So while I’m taking EMT-B course. It hives me some help with med. terminology + I’ll get certification.
Specializes in Flight RN, Trauma1 CVICU STICU MICU CCU.
Just got my National Certification. I'll be looking to work for AMR, they cover the San Antonio region 9-11. I'm starting my last semester of nursing school~ life is about to be very fun! (at work i mean!)
Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.
Good for you! yup you will have fun! I never got to be an EMT on a rig but working in the ER sure was fun. Post back and tell us what your experiences are okay? They have an ambulance company called AMR here in San Diego too. wonder if they are the same?
yup you will have fun! I never got to be an EMT on a rig but working in the ER sure was fun. Post back and tell us what your experiences are okay? They have an ambulance company called AMR here in San Diego too. wonder if they are the same?
Faeriewand, ASN, RN
1,800 Posts
How exciting for you! You're getting so close! After I got my EMT-B license I started working in the ER and just loved it! When I did get my nursing license I was even considered for a job because they wanted to start hiring LVN's. I knew I wasn't ready and was directed to a med/surg position which was a good start for me.
San Diego doesn't utilize EMT-B's in emergencies. They just do transports. But I worked hard for that license too so I'm keeping it up. I"m going to re-test in January to renew. I"m sure you'll do fine on the exam. I need to pick up my old EMT book again and study :)