FYI: Combined Nursing and Paramedic Bachelors in Australia

[espendean]

For the benefit of anyone interested in aeromedicine and have not yet started their undergrad, consider looking at Australia for your eduction. I am currently travel nursing in Australia and have learned something that I wish I had known in high school.

There are two universities which offer Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Paramedicine combined degree programs listed on The Council of Ambulance Authorities (an accrediting body for paramedicine education) website.

Australian Catholic University - Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Paramedicine

Queensland University of Technology - Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Paramedic Science

Paramedic Education CAA

Further, Australia is initiating a national registry/licensing for paramedics starting in Sept 2018 which should ease some of the difficulty around transferring back your home country. I understand that it will fall under the same regulatory body as nursing registration/licensure which is AHPRA.

Australia also uses a lot of aeromedical services as it is a very big place with some very isolated communities. There may be more opportunities. One thing to keep in mind is that most flight nurse positions in Australia require a midwifery degree. This can be done in 1-1.5 years after graduating with an initial degree.

This seems like it would be an economical way to get both degrees done and not have to take a year off and go back. It would take one step out of the path to flight nurse or flight medic. I wish I had known, it would have been a huge headache and time saver. I would have done the combination degree, jumped straight into midwifery and been done with all the boxes checked.

As a final note, if you are very interested in aeromedicine or paramedicine, Australia may be a solid long term option as they pay paramedics a living wage. $60000-80000 US.