ER RN to EMT?

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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!

Specializes in ER.

Ok, didn't mean to open up any cans of worms, everybody! I didn't mean to imply that I was too good to sit for any kind of class, I had just gotten the impression from several friend-EMT's that I may be able to take and pass the class just from experience! And yes, I'd like to be a volunteer EMT on the side. Sorry if I offended anyone or came off as snotty...I didn't mean it!!!!

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Specializes in CCRN, CNRN, Flight Nurse.
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.

:yeahthat: I remember that feeling oh to well.

It's my recommendation that you take the class and not short yourself by challenging exams. It is a totally different environment. Just as a paramedic has stuff to learn in nursing school, nurses have stuff to learn in EMT school.

If you search this forum, you'll find several threads dealing with similar issues.

Good luck in whatever you decide!!

Roxan, 1Lt, CAP

EMT-P, RN, CCRN

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU.
Ok, didn't mean to open up any cans of worms, everybody! I didn't mean to imply that I was too good to sit for any kind of class, I had just gotten the impression from several friend-EMT's that I may be able to take and pass the class just from experience! And yes, I'd like to be a volunteer EMT on the side. Sorry if I offended anyone or came off as snotty...I didn't mean it!!!!

I don't think that anyone here thinks that! I think the general feeling is that we wish there was an 'easier' way to transition between the two programs. Am I right?

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Specializes in M.S.N.(ACNP/FNP), ICU/Flight, Paramedic.

Actually, in some states RN's can challenge the first year of EMT-P.

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Specializes in Trauma Administration/Level I Trauma.

New Orleans EMT-P to RN here :wink2:

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thanks FYI

:cheers: :yeah:

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Specializes in Emergency (EMT) and Geriatric (CNA).
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!

I was an EMT in Illinois and YES you HAVE to do the classroom but why do you want to be an EMT?

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Specializes in ER.

because it's more first hand care than I can do in the ER. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being an RN and wouldn't trade it for the world, but I'd love to work as a first responder in the field as well. I guess I'm doing it a little backwards...most people I know are EMT's first and THEN suffer thru nursing school!!!:lol2:

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU.
because it's more first hand care than I can do in the ER. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being an RN and wouldn't trade it for the world, but I'd love to work as a first responder in the field as well. I guess I'm doing it a little backwards...most people I know are EMT's first and THEN suffer thru nursing school!!!:lol2:

That would be cool as long as I wouldn't have to ride in an ambulance

small bladder + motion sickness does not equal EMT/Flight Nurse/etc

:lol2:

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I went through alabama's emt program to intermediate. Then I went through nursing school. Like of some of the post I was frustrated at my broad scope of practice in the hospital and my very limited scope of practice in the field. I attended a bridge program in south carolina and used that to challenge national registry. The bridge was a DOT 48 hour refresher course. According to national registry any rn with a valid emt basic certification and a letter of approval from the state may challenge national registry paramedic. I know Creighton University in Nebraska was also offering a one week rn to emt basic and a two week rn to paramedic bridge.

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Not to give shortcuts but rns in california can challange the emt basic exam. I did a full emt course about 10 years ago and let my certification expire. I may challange to reinstate the certification. The down side is basics must attend a 24 hour renewal course every 4 years, this is in addition to normal ce requirements (and the kicker is that initial training is only 120 hours so you repeat 1/5 of the program)

Jeremy

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Specializes in Emergency.

In our facility, EMT's make considerably less money than RN's. Most people do the EMT to RN route. In fact, I can't think of any former EMT's who still hold their certification. There are some RN-EMT's who transitioned to Flight Nurse certification.

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