EMT or PCA/PCT

A lot of people confuse EMTs and Paramedics. At one time the two names were pretty much interchangeable and there was little to no difference between the two. Now the difference is huge. Its like comparing a CNA to an RN, that's how big the difference is in education and scope of practice. An EMT can do very little in the field, a Paramedic on the other hand is almost an extension of the ER physician, and can perform procedures in the field that only a physician can do in the hospital, their scope goes way beyond that of RNs in a hospital.

Having said that Paramedics are grossly underpaid and generally have short careers due to burnout and injuries, so I would never recommend going to Paramedic school, which is long and stressful and has a high dropout/failure rate. EMT school on the other hand is short and sweet, but kind of pointless since EMTs don't make much money and cant do a whole lot in the field except drive the ambulance, lift and move patients, splint fractures and dress wounds, and do CPR and some basic o2 and airway interventions.

Most likely the 16-17 an hour you mentioned is Paramedic pay. EMTs typically make around 10 or 11 dollars and hour, although like any pay it varies depending on your area.

Much better to go the CNA/PCT to RN route.

In my time in the ED it seems like PCTs are more likely to become RNs. I have a few suggestions as to why or why this might not be true.

1. Techs works with nurses for 12 hr shifts, we see the duties and complete spetrum of patients that an RN might deal with on a daily basis. I believe this is helping me learn real world vs textbook healthcare.

2. Techs have a higher amount of patients on a shift and are able to practice IV starts, blood draws, and get the basic skills down quickly.

3. EMTs have a hard time transitioning to the ED floor from the field. Very few of our ED RNs are past EMTs except the first responder die-hard trauma junkies that work 100+ hr/wk and work for the fire dept, EMS, and RN.

I mean no disrespect as I believe EMTs and medics make wonderful RNs and PCTs but there are two very different work environments for the two careers. If you are aiming towards obtaining your RN, I suggest work in the environment.