EMT-Basic (maybe?) during nursing school?

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · May 22, 2013

Working as an EMT would NOT work well. You won't have time to study and you won't make a good wage. It'll sometimes be fun though... but burnout with going to RN school and working as an EMT is almost inevitable, if you work anything close to full-time as an EMT. A classmate of mine was an EMT for a very long time. He cut way back on work just so that he could go to school. He worked just enough to stay "active" with the company he worked for.

Working as a waiter should have taught you something... prioritization and time management. You'll do a LOT of that as a nurse and that's something that many people struggle with at first. You'll already be good at it. EMT work doesn't really teach you that because you only (usually) only work 1:1 with patients.

calivianya, BSN, RN · May 22, 2013

You could always work relief. I would have loved to work as an EMT during nursing school - it would have been much better than the CNA job I worked, I bet! EMT also pays better than CNA, for sure.

I would advise doing either one of those over keeping your waitressing job. While they may pay less than waitressing if you usually get pretty good tips, it's pretty hard to get a nursing job when you're a new grad without previous healthcare work experience of some kind. It would be worth the pay cut to get your foot in the door somewhere.

Or... just a thought, but you could do the best of both worlds and work the bare minimum needed as a relief EMT (two shifts per six weeks is the minimum for relief at my facility) and keep your waitressing job the rest of the time. That way you'd have your foot in the door in healthcare but would also get to keep the waitressing income.

Stephalump · May 22, 2013

I think waitressing is a pretty good gig during NS. Flexible-ish hours, decent money, something not nursing related to give you a break. I know you aren't fond of your job, but being a CNA isn't necessarily a glamorous, fun job. -

As far as being an EMT-B goes, I really don't know how that would work for ya. Every EMT I know has a crazy schedule; combined with a crazy NS schedule, and I know I couldn't do it. But I'm sure it depends on where you work. Do you have a nursing program advisor? I know our faculty have pretty much seen it all and can give pretty solid advice on what works for most people in our program and what doesn't.

Meeh619 · May 22, 2013

I was thinking the same thing but realized that EMT basic is really mostly driving and cleaning the ambulance. I say relax and enjoy your time off cuz when school starts you will not have a life. Or look into a minor. I looked into psychology and second language. Or check to see if your school is hiring, most schools offer administrator jobs to their students with flexible schedules. It's hard to work and be in the nursing program and most part time jobs have to be at night so consider that also.

musicistheforce · May 22, 2013

It depends on where you would want to work. I'm an Emt-b and work at one of my local hospitals being a tech. I got the job through having my Emt license and I start nursing school next month. I loved my Emt class and grew so much as a person during that period imy live, I also met some if the best friends a girl can ask for.

aachavez · May 22, 2013

I loved my EMT course, wish I could have gotten a job with it. I was not able to find EMT work, everyone wanted experience, and in a very small town opportunities were very limited. That was 10 years ago, I knew then I wanted to be a nurse but school and timing didnt work in my favor. I am in RN program now, graduating in September. My previous exposure to medical terminology, A&P, assessment, etc, certainly did help some (maybe not as much as the folks who have been LPN for 20 years). I also know that I want to work in ICU or ER.

As far as working thru school.... everyone will tell you it's insanely difficult, and if you should work as little as possible; nursing school is a full time job. However, we do still have bills to pay. And a job in a medical proffesion could really have its benefits for you. Several of my classmates work part time as LPN, CNA/tech, and once they have their license it will be much much easier for them to get an RN position at the facility they already work at. Many hospitals will hire EMT, mostly for ER positions.

You really just need to decide what is going to work best for you, how much work you can balance with school and of course all the stress of the financial stuff. Good Luck!

Deuceswild1 · May 22, 2013

I work as an EMT part time, and am in an accelerated BSN program. Problem I see is that I had been an EMT 2 years prior to starting so finding part-time work was easy, it is hard to come by a part time position that will hire a fresh EMT.

vamedic4, EMT-P · May 23, 2013

If you have that time to "kill", as you say, then it can't hurt to take the class. Even if you don't get a job in the field, the skills you will learn will help you in nursing school and give you a leg up on others. You CAN, however, find work in a hospital as an EMT if the field work isn't looking promising. Hospitals want people with the skills and knowledge, even if they don't have that much experience. And a hospital will pay better on average than your local mom and pop ambulance service. Crazy, but true nonetheless.