ER RN to EMT?

andhow5, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2006

I don't know about Massachusetts, but most courses require a specific number of classroom hours be completed before you become eligible to "graduate" from the class and sit for the exam.

I know it's boring (I had a hard time staying awake) - but it's worth it in the end. Besides, you'll get past the boring stuff, and actually learn things that aren't taught in nursing school.

Good luck in your pursuit!

Andhow5/Andrea

IN TRAUMA ER RN & EMT

jos11 · Jul 31, 2006

hi all I am also an ER RN and wanna to be EMT. If any one have the idea that what I have to do for that

:cheers:

rn/writer, RN · Jul 31, 2006

Once you get past the A&P portion of the course, you are going to be learning a new skill set that involves rapid assessment in the field, extrication, packaging, and all kinds of other goodies. Your background as an ER nurse can help you if you are willing to set it aside temporarily and acquire the parts you don't know. It can also hurt you if you go in convinced you don't have that much to learn.

You can get yourself and your crew in trouble (not to mention, your patient) if you approach EMT situations with a nursing mindset. It isn't just the knowledge that's important, but the application of that knowledge in the context of established protocols.

You need to always be clear which license you're operating under and stick to the rules for that license. Of course, there will be overlap, but the temptation is to extend that commonality too far.

One area where you could really excel is radio transmission where the EMTs job is to "paint the clinical picture" for medical control. Having been on the other end in the ER, you could set a great example in providing the essential information to get approval for whatever you want to do in the field.

Don't forget, there are different levels of EMS service. EMT-basic may be too limited for you, but it's not a bad place to start.

Have you done any ride-alongs? If not, see if you can arrange a couple. That, more than anything else, might give you a first-hand view of the change in perspective awaiting you.

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 31, 2006

Hi there! Anyone have any idea if you can challenge the classroom portion of the EMT class in Massachusetts? I'm more than willing and eager to do the field work, but I can't stand the idea of sitting in class for 3 months talking about normal heart rates! :) Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

You need to check with the MA DOH (if that's who runs EMS), but most challenges are soup-to-nuts. You have to pass written book knowledge and hand-on practical skills together. Remember too that in pre-hospital care, you think in terms of the Golden Period and the Platinum 10 minutes.

Good luck.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

You want to contact these guys:

http://www.mass.gov/dph/oems/oems.htm

ERRN629 · Jul 31, 2006

thanks for the info guys!!!!

mmutk, BSN, RN, EMT-I · Jul 31, 2006

No, but get your EMT and then take a vacation in florida and there you can challenge the Natl Reg Paramedic test (if you also have ACLS,PALS,PHTLS)

:)

labcat01, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

Ok..don't flame me - but what are some of the reasons an RN would want to get an EMT cert? There were a lot of paramedics in my nursing school that wanted to be flight nurses...are there other reasons why?

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

Normally, RN's can't really work in the prehospital environment. In a few states, there's something called a Prehospital RN which gives them the ability to work in EMS. Most of the time though, you need an EMS certification to work on an ambulance.

Why would a nurse want to work prehospital? Because it's fun! Tends to be one of those things that you either love or hate, but for those of us that love it, it can be really hard to make the itch go away. Many of us are nurses by day and medics by night/weekend, often as volunteers in our communities.

So yeah, EMS certification helps if you're looking into ER nursing or flight nursing, but to some of us it's just plain fun.

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 31, 2006

...Why would a nurse want to work prehospital? Because it's fun! ...to some of us it's just plain fun.

:yeahthat:

Like my wife sez when my pager goes off, "You're going where for what? And oh yeah, pick up some ice cream on the way back."

pmednurse, RN · Aug 1, 2006

For the same reasons that I had to sit through nursing school after being a Critical Care Transport Paramedic for ten years, you need to sit through three months of EMT class. At least yours in three months of bordom, mine was two years of bordom to become a nurse.

And if there was any way to challange the program, MA would be the last state to allow a challange.

Enjoy