Is it a good idea to get an EMT while doing pre-reqs for nursing?

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I am in my first pre-reqs semester for nursing. I also am a Real Estate agent. I love real estate but I ended up paying more on fees than making money.

I am going to school for my ADN and I want to become an ER nurse. Trauma nurse. There is a course being offered close to my house for EMTs. accelerated program, one month. So I was wondering. Will that be helpful in my career as a nurse? how does it work being an EMT? Does it pay ok? Any info will be helpful. Thanks!

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Chances are that you will have to do a year (give or take) on a medical floor prior to transferring to the ED. That's assuming you'll be able to get a job in a hospital. Most ED's are considered specialty areas, but you still hear people getting in directly.

My advice would be to become a CNA and get a job as a NA in the hospital. This will allow you to get a feel for what RN's do (through observation). If your local ED's hire EMT's for the ED then you could become an EMT, otherwise go with CNA.

Either way, just remember that hospitals hire internally first.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

A phlebotomy course would also teach you very marketable skills and provide a steady paycheck.

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Being a practicing EMT with patient care experience will help.

Getting the cert for te sake of the cert will not.

FWIW, I am EMT and RN.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.

I was an aide but I should have obtained my EMT.

It was more in line with what I want to do.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

One of my classmates was an EMT prior to RN school. The professors who knew about his past experience as an EMT, called on him regularly, and he really had a very good background on the material. I believe being an EMT helped him.

Thank you.

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It will definitely be helpful when you are looking for your 1st nursing job. Almost no one is able to get in the ER upon graduation, but your experience will definitely make you a "shoe-in".

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.
It will definitely be helpful when you are looking for your 1st nursing job. Almost no one is able to get in the ER upon graduation, but your experience will definitely make you a "shoe-in".

No it won't. Maybe if he/she had paramedic experience it would increase their chances but not as an EMT-B.

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