Has anyone done this? Became a Paramedic first and then an RN? Is it a good idea ?

Larry77, RN · May 15, 2006

If you could get your paramedic before nursing school I don't see how that could be a bad idea. Being a paramedic is a very good job and it tends to have some down time which could be used for studying for nursing school. And there's always the chance that you will be very happy with prehospital care and not want to go to nursing school. I feel like the two positions are very different but do not contradict each other, both stem around patient care just in a different aspect-you will not have to write care plans for your paramedic he he.

whyldlife · May 15, 2006

Do both. Transport teams love RN's with their paramedic credentials. Having some paramedic time under your belt will also help you as a new grad if you go directly into an ED. Some of the trauma centers don't like to hire new grads but will take any time you serve as a medic, even part time, as enought experience.

shehadi · May 15, 2006

thanks everyone for your advice. I just signed up for the paramedic course at youngstown state.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · May 15, 2006

I would do it.

In the school I was at before we had a LOT of paramedics going into the nursing program there. At the school I am at now we have at least one paramedic going into the BSN program, when we were all together in Fundamentals he was just plain awesom with his skills and bedside manner!

If you have to wait anyways for NS, and we all know that sometimes you don' even get in on your first try to NS, I think the paramedic route is a good idea personally.

gregemt · May 16, 2006

Hey, good luck with all of your plans. I think being a medic before RN can only be good. That being said, you are just finishing EMT-Basic and will start medic school in the fall, then start nursing school right at the end of medic school? (if I am incorrect let me know). I think you may be rushing things a bit. The previous posters have mentioned the change from medic to RN, but one thing that has not been mentioned is the change from EMT-B to medic. I would not recommend going straight to medic school without any experience as an EMT. You can pass through school without experience, but you won't be ready to be a medic without some road time (clinicals at school are not enough). Being a paramedic is a lot of responsibility, you are in charge of the scene. You can't run ALS if you haven't mastered BLS. My advice is that you work as an EMT for at least a year with a busy 911 service before medic school. Get some codes, severe respiratory calls, and some bad trauma before deciding if you're ready to step up to the advanced level. Just my 2 cents. My partner is a field training officer so we have all new hires ride with us (my service runs around 55,000 calls a year) and most new medics with no experience do not pass through training. It is very hard to take control of chaotic scenes if you've had little time running calls. You have to be aggressive, that doesn't happen overnight. I think you are on the right track though. I hope to go through nursing eventually as well. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Divern808 · May 18, 2006

Having been a Paramedic and now an RN for going on 26 years, you would be asset to both professions, having seen and practiced in both worlds.Working on both sides of the glass doors can only make you a better Healthcare advocate.As far as Managers are concerned, any manager that fosters animosity between her staff and the Medics that work in and out of her ED, is only hurting herself,and ultimately, the patient

anitahd · May 19, 2006

I did that, was a Paramedic, then became an RN. I worked for 5 years as a medic and during part of that time went to nursing school. I took my books to work every shift and studied. I went to school on my off days. When I became a nurse I was hired right in to the ER, been in ER ever since (16 yrs). I think you made a wise choice and I wish you the best. Anita

dpipes44 · May 19, 2006

I made the transition from Paramedic to RN. I was a medic in the street for 7yrs before I did RN. I'm not sure you will benifit much from going to the 2 programs that close together. You won't have the time to get one job mastered and then you'll start another. You eed to be an EMT for at least a year before Medic school. That expeience is so valuable. Could you get them both done? I say yes. Will you be very good at either? Probally not. Good luck. Get some experience in either, fet comfortable the move on.

ladytraviler · May 19, 2006

I worked as a Paramedic 10 years in various services. I loved my experience when I went to nursing school. For me, drawing on my experience helped me a lot. The only problem I had was learning to take my time and turning down the aggression. To take over a scene takes practice and experience, You are counting down your scene time. I had to step back and relearn to take my time with my patients. In the first year as a nurse, several patients commented that while i was a good nurse, my manner was to abrupt and my speed was to fast. I didn't believe in wasting steps. Over time I have learned to slow down and wasted steps are part of it.

Good luck no matter which way you choose to proceed.

Mcstraycat · May 20, 2006

Lots of people have done this. I personally think the assessment skills you learn as an EMT-P give you a leg up for nursing school. I spent 16 yrs a paramedic before getting my RN. My prehospital experience prepared me well for critical care as well as flight medevac jobs. And "P" pay is better than basic pay for financing your way through nursing school.

mattwilson · Dec 19, 2006

i had been a national register paramedic for 2 years before i started in on a BSN. i think it has been a huge advantage in school. im way ahead in a lot of classes. theres definitely a difference between the paramedic and basic students in nursing school. since you're young i would recommend doing the paramedic and then going to nursing school. i dont know of a job that you could use both other than flight transport which is my goal someday. i work in an ER as a paramedic where i can use all my skills now while going through the BSN and its really helping. i think it would be a huge advantage as an ER nurse over those that havent had field expierence.

JMBM · Dec 19, 2006

I was (and still am) a medic and am now an RN in an ED. I agree with earlier writers who say that the medic training will help you alittle (and only alittle) in nursing. The EXPERIENCE of working as a medic will help you immensely if you decide to go into nursing. So, in my humble opinion, going right from one school to the next is okay, but I don't think its worth a year of your time, whereas a few years in an ambulance will really be a huge asset. Who knows? You might find working pre-hospital is where you want to be.