LPN-EMT-RN?

[HopefulRN7]

I've been a LPN for 2 years now and will be graduating as an Associates RN in July. I'm considering starting a local EMT-B program shortly after so I'm wondering whether it is worth my time to do it this way (basically, backwards).

I'd eventually like to work in critical care and my vision is that my experience at that point as an EMT will give me a leg up to employers. I'm also considering the 2-year Paramedic program but at that point I may as well go for the BSN...right?

Anyone out there go this route? Any advice?

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

At this point, I would suggest looking toward getting your BSN instead of EMT. If you're thinking of becoming a transport nurse, EMT may be helpful but since you're going to be a new grad shortly, you have a LOT of time before you're going to be considered for the role. Once you're an RN, your state may have an option to challenge Paramedic certification/licensure. Quite honestly though, the best way for you to be able to do critical care nursing is to find a place that will train you to do it and then go for it. Being an EMT will teach you much of the safety/operational stuff you'll need to know to safely function in the prehospital environment as well as teach you the basics (literally) of following preset protocols with limited/no immediate physician oversight. Paramedic would actually be better in this regard as your scope of practice would be much wider and you'd do some things that aren't typically done by nurses in most roles but given the option to do BSN in 2 years vs Paramedic in 2 years, I'd choose BSN first and then challenge paramedic if that's possible.

There's a LOT to be said for the amount of autonomy that Paramedics do have, especially outside of California, but they're specialists in what they do. As a nurse, you're trained as a generalist and you can specialize from there.

Once you've graduated and have your license, I would suggest casting your application net far and wide, including places small and relatively unknown because those places may be more likely to hire a new grad into a specialty right away. Granted a couple classmates of mine got hired directly into a specialty close to home but they already worked in those hospitals and had already built a reputation as being solid employees that understood the area they were applying for.

I had to go out of the area to get my job because I wanted a specialty that nobody locally wanted to hire a new grad for... the ER.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

There are some states that will allow an RN to "comp" the EMT training and just test. You will have to see if your state is one of them. It certainly could give you something a little more as far as job prospects. There are many EMT companies that also give tuition reimbursement for your paramedic (and some nursing) as well.

It could give you extra money to go towards a BSN. You could speak to your college counselor regarding if any of the paramedic classes can count toward your BSN as well.

You may find as an ASN/ADN, you may not be able to find a job right away--as many facilities are wanting BSN prepared nurses. With that being said, you may find that there's many jobs for EMT's in your area, which could tide you over until such time as you continue school.

Make an appointment with your academic advisor. See what options are available to you.

Best wishes!

[HopefulRN7]

At this point, I would suggest looking toward getting your BSN instead of EMT. If you're thinking of becoming a transport nurse, EMT may be helpful but since you're going to be a new grad shortly, you have a LOT of time before you're going to be considered for the role. Once you're an RN, your state may have an option to challenge Paramedic certification/licensure. Quite honestly though, the best way for you to be able to do critical care nursing is to find a place that will train you to do it and then go for it. Being an EMT will teach you much of the safety/operational stuff you'll need to know to safely function in the prehospital environment as well as teach you the basics (literally) of following preset protocols with limited/no immediate physician oversight. Paramedic would actually be better in this regard as your scope of practice would be much wider and you'd do some things that aren't typically done by nurses in most roles but given the option to do BSN in 2 years vs Paramedic in 2 years, I'd choose BSN first and then challenge paramedic if that's possible.

There's a LOT to be said for the amount of autonomy that Paramedics do have, especially outside of California, but they're specialists in what they do. As a nurse, you're trained as a generalist and you can specialize from there.

Once you've graduated and have your license, I would suggest casting your application net far and wide, including places small and relatively unknown because those places may be more likely to hire a new grad into a specialty right away. Granted a couple classmates of mine got hired directly into a specialty close to home but they already worked in those hospitals and had already built a reputation as being solid employees that understood the area they were applying for.

I had to go out of the area to get my job because I wanted a specialty that nobody locally wanted to hire a new grad for... the ER.

Thanks a ton, your reply is very helpful!!

Transport nurse is actually my end goal but as you said, I'm at least 5 years away from that becoming a reality (once I'm in a critical care or ER role).

I'm in Mass and it is possible to challenge the Paramedic exam as a RN/EMT-B per their website Office of Emergency Medical Services in case anyone is following this thread. It seems like a tedious process but a big money and time saver in the end.

[HopefulRN7]

There are some states that will allow an RN to "comp" the EMT training and just test. You will have to see if your state is one of them. It certainly could give you something a little more as far as job prospects. There are many EMT companies that also give tuition reimbursement for your paramedic (and some nursing) as well.

It could give you extra money to go towards a BSN. You could speak to your college counselor regarding if any of the paramedic classes can count toward your BSN as well.

You may find as an ASN/ADN, you may not be able to find a job right away--as many facilities are wanting BSN prepared nurses. With that being said, you may find that there's many jobs for EMT's in your area, which could tide you over until such time as you continue school.

Make an appointment with your academic advisor. See what options are available to you.

Best wishes!

Thanks for your reply!

I'm starting to think LPN was a waste of money and time for me because as you said, I will be considered a new grad RN although I have experience as a LPN. I'm starting to think I should have gone the Paramedic route before becoming an RN just based on the path I would like to take as a nurse. 🙃

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

Thanks a ton, your reply is very helpful!!

Transport nurse is actually my end goal but as you said, I'm at least 5 years away from that becoming a reality (once I'm in a critical care or ER role).

I'm in Mass and it is possible to challenge the Paramedic exam as a RN/EMT-B per their website Office of Emergency Medical Services in case anyone is following this thread. It seems like a tedious process but a big money and time saver in the end.

Given this "new" information, I would definitely say that you should pursue BSN first, get licensed an RN and the BSN will most likely provide you with generally greater (and faster) job prospects than if you pursue an ADN at this time. Once you have completed your RN program and have passed the NCLEX, you can then also consider taking an EMT course to allow you to challenge the Paramedic license exam per Mass OEMS rules. I would further advise you that if you do choose to take this route to becoming a Paramedic, see if you can also "audit" or formally take a 40 hour Paramedic Re-Cert course as this should provide you with a better insight into what a Paramedic actually does and how they think. Yes, they really do think about their patients and there are some excellent clinicians that happen to be Paramedics... Just because you might be earning a BSN, don't think that Paramedics are immediately beneath you and are only slightly better than knuckle-dragging cavemen.

[HopefulRN7]

Given this "new" information, I would definitely say that you should pursue BSN first, get licensed an RN and the BSN will most likely provide you with generally greater (and faster) job prospects than if you pursue an ADN at this time. Once you have completed your RN program and have passed the NCLEX, you can then also consider taking an EMT course to allow you to challenge the Paramedic license exam per Mass OEMS rules. I would further advise you that if you do choose to take this route to becoming a Paramedic, see if you can also "audit" or formally take a 40 hour Paramedic Re-Cert course as this should provide you with a better insight into what a Paramedic actually does and how they think. Yes, they really do think about their patients and there are some excellent clinicians that happen to be Paramedics... Just because you might be earning a BSN, don't think that Paramedics are immediately beneath you and are only slightly better than knuckle-dragging cavemen.

I've started at the "bottom" so I'm the last person to judge another based on education alone- experience is everything. Medics can dance circles around me and any other LPN or RN when it comes to rapid assessments and other situations we- as nurses- aren't always exposed to.

To clarify- I am already graduating in July as an Associates RN so the BSN route will come after my challenging the Paramedic exam. Hope to find some good ECG courses or info sessions in the meantime- that seems to be my weaker area in the rapid assessment realm since I haven't been exposed much and will need it (I'm sure) to challenge the exam. Do you know if that's offered as part of the EMT-B program?