Interested in an RN to Medic Bridge Program

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I am interested in a RN-Medic bridge program. I am currently licensed as an RN in MI and OH and am a Nationally Registered EMT-B with a MI License. My career goal is a flight nurse and i am well aware i have along ways to go i have only been a nurse for just over a year. Started with a year of Home Care now i work at a correctional facility. I have tried to get into an ER but i keep getting told " I just dont have the experience yet" SOOO while i continue with my RN experience i would like to continue my education and get my medic.

Any suggestions or advise?!?!?!

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Specializes in CVICU, TSBICU, PACU.

My advice is to try and get into a hospital cardiac telemetry step-down and/or progressive care floor with "stable" vents. After you're there for a year or two, the ER or ICUs will want you

In the meantime, get as many certs as you can, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, etc...

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
My advice is to try and get into a hospital cardiac telemetry step-down and/or progressive care floor with "stable" vents. After you're there for a year or two, the ER or ICUs will want you

In the meantime, get as many certs as you can, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, etc...

really? im on a step-down right now and im in the same boat as the OP wanting to do flight (one day when very experienced)... i also plan on getting all the pertinent certs that would make me a more desireable hire in ER.

Thanks for the encouragement!

What is your background if i may ask?

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Specializes in ER/ICU.

I don't know of any bridge programs in my state (ga) but most paramedic programs are only a year anyway. All of your core classes from nursing school will count and you will only have the medic classes to do. Be warned, it's intense. It's a different way of thinking than nursing and even emt class. I think you'll do great given all of your experience though. Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

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Specializes in CVICU, TSBICU, PACU.

I started out of nursing school on a cardiac telemetry step-down in a big teaching hospital. I worked there for a year and a half before transferring to their CVICU. There we get frequent transfers in massive cardiogenic shock and cardiac assist devices from outside hospitals via survival flight.

You are one step away! Sounds like you'll be in good shape.

The other thing I forgot to add is that you will want to make sure you work with peds at some point. Our ER has two separate ERs, with one just for peds. Not sure if yours is like that or if you will get all of them in which case it'll be easier for you and you'll have to spend less time getting your peds experience.

I had looked extensively into flight nursing at one point, but ultimately decided that it probably wasn't for me. Never completely closed it off as they are all awesome, insanely intelligent rockstars, but just some of the cases they have to transport...I am not a squeamish person but would have difficulty transporting an infant with their face blown off by gunshots...

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Thanks for all your input I really appreciate it, I guess I just don't know where to start with my next step. I really enjoy the correctional facility but I know I won't be there forever. I love being an EMT also and know I would luv doin more with that also.

How would I go about gettin all those certifications without being in a hospital setting?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
I started out of nursing school on a cardiac telemetry step-down in a big teaching hospital. I worked there for a year and a half before transferring to their CVICU. There we get frequent transfers in massive cardiogenic shock and cardiac assist devices from outside hospitals via survival flight.

You are one step away! Sounds like you'll be in good shape.

The other thing I forgot to add is that you will want to make sure you work with peds at some point. Our ER has two separate ERs, with one just for peds. Not sure if yours is like that or if you will get all of them in which case it'll be easier for you and you'll have to spend less time getting your peds experience.

I had looked extensively into flight nursing at one point, but ultimately decided that it probably wasn't for me. Never completely closed it off as they are all awesome, insanely intelligent rockstars, but just some of the cases they have to transport...I am not a squeamish person but would have difficulty transporting an infant with their face blown off by gunshots...

Sweet!!! :))) yeah, our ER handles both Peds & adults so I should be golden prolly should get CPEN or ENPC too lol

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I have my ACLS and PALS. Both were relatively easy classes. Just expensive. I am a new grad and trying to get experience too. I'd love to be in and ICU or ER. Can you use your EMT-B on a volunteer squad or a paid squad PT? That should get you some experience. The hospitals around here want "emergency or critical care experience" and will accept EMT experience. I was on a step-down unit for most of my clinical experience and they hire new grads a lot and so do other hospitals around my area for step-down units. The RN to Medic program by me requires two years of critical care experience so I would see if your program needs that as well. I'd say get your medic license and jump on a squad and gain experience if that is an option. I would keep trying hospitals as well. You can get all your certs while you wait. My ACLS and PALS were both $200 and the TNCC class I'm looking to take in October is $250.

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I have my ACLS and PALS. Both were relatively easy classes. Just expensive. I am a new grad and trying to get experience too. I'd love to be in and ICU or ER. Can you use your EMT-B on a volunteer squad or a paid squad PT? That should get you some experience. The hospitals around here want "emergency or critical care experience" and will accept EMT experience. I was on a step-down unit for most of my clinical experience and they hire new grads a lot and so do other hospitals around my area for step-down units. The RN to Medic program by me requires two years of critical care experience so I would see if your program needs that as well. I'd say get your medic license and jump on a squad and gain experience if that is an option. I would keep trying hospitals as well. You can get all your certs while you wait. My ACLS and PALS were both $200 and the TNCC class I'm looking to take in October is $250.

Thank for the info!!! I did ICU and SICU for a lot of my clinicals. I am currently on a volunteer department using my EMT-B. I will look up places for my other certs and get prices and try and get those under my belt too, I am workin 1030-7p now so I would most likely hav to find online classes and trainings at this point unless I get another job.

I really appreciate all the info!!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

Great thread & infooi!! :)

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Go to the medical office of a nearby Trauma Hospital and state your plans with the ER Medical Director. Ask to "shadow" a Doctor and learn the ropes of Emergency Room. You may find a job opening for you when the ER MD sees your talents. Good Luck!!

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In FL, there is a Nursing Education Group called: Medical Training, Nursing Courses, ACLS, Clinical Solutions. Check them out for the towns where TNCC and other courses are held. There expenses are a lot less than other places. Also, if you need to change your dates, it's NO problem!!!! I highly advise them.

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