EMT a plus or a minus?

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(long irrelevant story) but in a nutshell, a school I am looking at would require me to take 9 credits "in house" with them before taking Nursing 1. I have all of my gen eds completed as well as a prior bachelor's degree. I'm working through all of the sciences up through organic chem 2 at another school so I can apply to a grad program later, so I don't really have anything I "have" to take there besides the nursing classes. So, this brings me to my question.

I wonder what all of you think about me taking a 9 credit EMT-Basic course? It meets the requirement for the school and sounds fun! I don't yet have paid health care experience, so I thought this might give me a little face time at the local hospital. Are there any reasons why I might NOT want to do this course?? Are there things that EMTs learn which might conflict or confuse me with when I start nurse classes? Is having an EMT a help in my resume, or is it so totally different than nursing that it won't give me an advantage when I apply for a job as a new RN?

I know there are several former EMTs here who are now RNs, so any insight would be great.

I know the limited aspect of working with only an EMT-Basic, but I doubt I'd ever go through the Intermediate or Paramedic if that matters. Both our local hospitals (even today) are each hiring EMT-B, so I think the market is good enough to get a job- and if I go through the course, I'll be able to take several other 1 credit certificate trainings like PALS.

So- career advice would be sooo appreciated! Thanks :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I applaud your eagerness to get started in nursing school! However, you should keep in mind that EMTs are "first responders" which means that their work stops when the patient enters the hospital. The 'first aid' types of technical skills included in EMT Basic courses would probably be beneficial and may help to improve your self confidence when you enter nursing school - e.g., vital signs, CPR, wound management, etc.

It sounds like you may be a very action-oriented person and that's why the EMT training option would appeal to you, but there may be other courses that would be more beneficial to your nursing education. Have you considered taking additional psych courses? Are there any advanced A&P courses available? What about informatics courses? It may sound strange, but one of the most valuable electives I have ever taken was cultural anthropology. I learned a lot about how belief systems originate - which is very valuable when dealing with multi-cultural patient populations. Another interesting elective was 'Origins of Abnormal Behavior' - included basic theories related to addictive diseases, promiscuity, violence, etc... scary stuff, but it is also (unfortunately) very relevant to patient care.

Have fun - & Good Luck!

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In my experience and opinion, EMT role/practice has v. little to do with nursing. I agree completely with HouTX that there are many other courses that would better complement and enhance your nursing education. Of course, if you really want to be an EMT, that's a different matter.

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Thank you both very very much for your insights!! No, I don't want to be an EMT - but I would consider doing it on weekends or something during my first year of NS. I hadn't thought about informatics- I'll have to look into that further. Can you guys expand more on what that would be? I didn't see any classes in the catalog that specifically say the term "informatics" so would other IT type classes do?

My undergrad degree is in social science and I have more than 100 credits in psych, abnormal psych, sociology, assorted anthropologies and criminal justice. (I took classes for a long time before I enrolled) I have a lot of grad credit in pscyh/abnormal psych too which I do from time to time for fun. (lol that sounds odd) I would agree with both of you that those are excellent classes, but of course I'm bias :D

So, I will look at informatics- any guidance would be great. I'm also interested in hearing if anyone else has any comments about the EMT class.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I've done the EMT program... twice, actually.

It's fun and interesting, and provides a set of skills worth knowing, and that you may not get in nursing school (at least, I didn't). The kinds of things that I'm referring to are splinting, field triage, auto extrication, hazardous materials, ICS, transport, etc. It's not likely to help you get employed (unless you work on an ambulance for awhile... that might open some ED doors) but it's interesting and it's worth knowing.

I say, "go for it."

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I've done the EMT program... twice, actually.

It's fun and interesting, and provides a set of skills worth knowing, and that you may not get in nursing school (at least, I didn't). The kinds of things that I'm referring to are splinting, field triage, auto extrication, hazardous materials, ICS, transport, etc. It's not likely to help you get employed (unless you work on an ambulance for awhile... that might open some ED doors) but it's interesting and it's worth knowing.

I say, "go for it."

>>

Rockin, I love to learn :up:

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I know this is an old thread, but I'm thinking of doing the EMT route myself so I was just wondering if you've started taking the class yet and what you think of it.

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I know this is an old thread, but I'm thinking of doing the EMT route myself so I was just wondering if you've started taking the class yet and what you think of it.

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I'm enrolled for fall. I'm really looking forward to it!! I anticipate it being a great experience, and I hope that learning the assessment skills will give me a leg up in nursing class. In my case, I have to take "something" while I wait for nursing classes to start, and I have completed everything else, so this class will be mainly for fun. But, like I said, I think it would be great to work PRN or something once I get certified.

I came from a prior career with a very different mindset than the nurses I have encountered. In my prior career, it was important (expected) to know all you could about as much as you could- I am finding nurses to be very targeted in their scope, which I may end up needed to be too, but for the time being I enjoy learning peripheral tasks. I just finished the CNA course, and am going to start work as a patient tech.

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Specializes in Psych, EMS.

You have gotten some inaccurate information on this thread. EMTs are not first responders. EMTs have much more breadth and depth of knowledge and training. Also, you learn a lot more than "first aid."

I would recommend an EMT-B course to any licensed, student, or prospective nurse. It is really fun and will likely increase your confidence and critical thinking skills.

Surprisingly, many of the skills and education learned in a lowly EMT-B course are not covered in nursing, as another poster pointed out. Learning both, as well as learning to approach clinical situations from a medical and nursing model, will just enhance your practice.

Being an EMT-I also impressed my employer, and during the interview process when I was asked to pull various examples I relied a lot on my EMS background. I say go for it!

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You have gotten some inaccurate information on this thread. EMTs are not first responders. EMTs have much more breadth and depth of knowledge and training. Also, you learn a lot more than "first aid."

I would recommend an EMT-B course to any licensed, student, or prospective nurse. It is really fun and will likely increase your confidence and critical thinking skills.

Surprisingly, many of the skills and education learned in a lowly EMT-B course are not covered in nursing, as another poster pointed out. Learning both, as well as learning to approach clinical situations from a medical and nursing model, will just enhance your practice.

Being an EMT-I also impressed my employer, and during the interview process when I was asked to pull various examples I relied a lot on my EMS background. I say go for it!

Thank you!! I'm all about learning how to save lives, no matter the job title :) :yeah:

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Specializes in Critical Care & ENT.

I decided to do an EMT program prior to nursing school. I found it very helpful because I was able to work in the hospital at least a year before nursing school. Some hospitals may even hire you as an assistive helper/Nurse Tech because your in nursing school or have completed the 1st semester of nursing school. EMT school made me very comfortable coming from another field and allowed me to be able to think differently as I began to think critically during basic assessments. Depending on your state, your scope of practice may be different. Not all EMTs ride the Rigs, I was hospital based. I had really good experiences and did not get exposed to those skills in nursing school. I always advise working while in nursing school because it gives you more exposure to patient care. I also recieved the clinical excellence award for my class!!!

GO FOR IT!

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