I need help!!! Paramedic or RN??

ldymedc · Aug 9, 2002

Well EMTPTORN, I can certainly understand your position. It seems as if we have led very similar lives. I have been a prehospital provider (PM) and firefighter for 16 years, paid for 13. The luster wore off the 24 hr work schedule many years ago, and the abuse that I have put my body through is amazing. The only thing that I disagree with you about is the difficulty of the RN program. Admittedly, I have a decent amount of in hospital experience as well, but I will be finishing my RN in just a few months, it has not been a difficult leap for me. As a friend of mine said, nursing school is not difficult (if you already have years of experience and knowledge) just voluminous.

The only advice I would give someone torn between RN and PM is that the experience and knowledge you gain as a PM are invaluable, you can not get those decision making skills anywhere else...EMTP is right, you HAVE to be on your game at all times. That being said. After as many years as I have done this, I would suggest that you get your RN, pay and hours are much better. Aside from that, you will certainly get more respect as an RN, simply because the public is not aware of the intensive training and level of knowledge required to do the job of a Paramedic.

I plan on leaving the prehospital field soon, the upward mobility is absolutely non existent, (unless I want to be a fire officer,and give up the thing I love the most...patient care) and the pay is not commenserate with the education or work. Plus, at my age now (not old only 35) I want the ability to move up in my career. I have never been happy with stagnation. I also want the ability to see my family everyday. So, if you really want to get the experience as a PM, go ahead with your RN, and then get your PM and volunteer. It could only make you a better, well rounded RN.