ER Tech

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Hey,

Wanted to know if you can challenge the EMT-B with nursing school. Im looking to become an ER tech while in nursing school. I know you can challenge and sit for the CNA certification while in nursing school but don't know if you can do the same with EMT-B. If anyone could shed some light on the matter, Id greatly appreciate it.

I'm from California and currently attending an accelerated nursing program. We have about 3 months left until graduation and I find myself with 4 and 5 day weekends and would like to put that to some use, get some experience, and make myself marketable after graduation. If anyone is familiar with the bay area, jobs for new grads here are slim pickings.

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The training for EMS and nursing are so totally different. While I don't know the answer for sure, I'd bet money that you cannot challenge EMT with your current training. However going to CNA route to do the same, get some experience under your belt, so when you do get your license you already have made a great impression where you currently work. Going the CNA route may help you land that job once you do graduate. I volunteer at my ER, hoping to make some connections for when I graduate as well.

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Specializes in ED/Trauma/Flight Nursing.

In FL, after I was an ER nurse for 5 years, I went to EMT school (It's just one semester), then challenged the Paramedic boards. But, if you are a nurse, you are required to complete EMT school, to master basic skills like back-boarding, vehicle extrication, etc. before you can challenge the paramedic boards. Nobody can challenge the EMT exam. You have to go through the program.

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In FL, after I was an ER nurse for 5 years, I went to EMT school (It's just one semester), then challenged the Paramedic boards. But, if you are a nurse, you are required to complete EMT school, to master basic skills like back-boarding, vehicle extrication, etc. before you can challenge the paramedic boards. Nobody can challenge the EMT exam. You have to go through the program.

How does one Challenge the paramedic boards? So, you don't sit through the didactic, obviously the clinical phase would be pointless, but you weren't required to do your internship (time on an ambulance with a paramedic preceptor)?

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Specializes in ED/Trauma/Flight Nursing.

After you get your EMT license, you just follow the instructions online for challenging the medic boards (submit copies of your EMT and nursing license, etc) then go take the test. No, you don't have to do any clinicals or classroom work.

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

Absolutely not. The education is very different. No state lets nursing students challenge for an EMT cert.

Some states may allow RNs (not students) who are also EMTs to challenge or bridge to paramedic, gaining the RN a state cert, but you will not be able to sit for the National Registry exam. NREMT is what lets you transfer your EMT/Paramedic cert to most states and some employers require it.

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Well qxvu85, maybe we should meet up and compare notes….I’m taking an accelerated EMT Boot Camp in Fremont California and looking to get into the medical field as a Physician Assistant.

If you are a LVN you may be able to challenge the EMT but not sure about a CNA.

Is a Licensed Vocational Nurse Qualified to Be an EMT? | eHow.com

Although I can’t fully answer your question you can contact the school and see if they can help out.

It may depend on what school and program you are in. Some programs are longer, some programs offer some courses that others don’t, and it really would depend on the individual school and their program and what courses you have under your belt already and what courses you don’t.

Another suggestion would be calling the board of registered nursing in California Board of Registered Nursing . They have information on all schools in the Ca area and may be able to recommend something to you.

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.
Well qxvu85, maybe we should meet up and compare notes….I’m taking an accelerated EMT Boot Camp in Fremont California and looking to get into the medical field as a Physician Assistant.

Programs like this have a poor reputation and tend to teach "cook book medicine" and "teach the test." They do not have good outcomes for students who were not already higher level medical providers. NAEMT is in the middle of a huge push for accreditation of EMS education programs like these.

If you are a LVN you may be able to challenge the EMT but not sure about a CNA.

Is a Licensed Vocational Nurse Qualified to Be an EMT? | eHow.com

That article is a load of ehow internet horse droppings written by some random paraLEGAL. It demonstrates ignorance about both fields.

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