Firefighter to Nurse

[Firemedic7]

Hi All-

I have been a firefighter/medic for 14 years and am currently working on my RN through Excelsior. I wanted to ask if there are any other firefighters out there who have done this and how do you like it?

I hope to work part-time or PRN at a level 1 trauma center. I was curious as to what experience I would need to gain and where I would need to get it before I would be able to work somewhere like that?

I think it would be a great job away from the FD.

Any input appreciated :)

[KatieBell]

Hi there,

I can not comment regarding firefighting... and I don't specifically know anyone who has made that transition. But, I can comment on what experience you need to work at a level one in the ED.

Some level ones will hire you straight out of school- and you would be attractive, as most people assume firefighters can handle stress and fast paced situations. The other option, is to go to the ICU and get experience with drips and sick patients so that when you get the really sick ones you are familiar with them. One year of that is usually preferred by places that want ICU experience.

I went the ICU route, in retrospect, I hated the ICU and much prefer the ED. But either way is a bonfide option. I tend to recommend ICU, but I have decided it is probably best to be honest, that I personally hated it and was miserable and just "bloomed" in the ED....