Is a paramedic degree required?

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Specializes in Emergency, critical care, cardiovascular.

I am interested in flight nursing, because I love trauma. I work as an ER tech at a level one trauma center now. I know that it is recommended to be an RN AND a paramedic, but is it necessarily required? I know it would help, and I would do it if I would have to, but I do not know of any RN-paramedic programs anywhere close to where I live, so I foresee that being a problem.

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Just stick with RN and some hardcore ER/ICU exp and you'll be golden. >4 years

No medic exp or degree necessary.

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Specializes in Emergency, critical care, cardiovascular.

Alright, cool. Thank you!

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I don't know if this is state specific, but at least here in PA there is also PHRN---pre-hospital RN---certification. The course runs over 6 months & includes both didactic and clinicals.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

Some states require that there is at least an EMT-B or a paramedic in the patient care area. Caused major trouble for teams that do a combination of ground/fixed/rotor transports.

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https://ems.creighton.edu/training-certification/pre-hospital-care-emt-nurses-0

You will have a BSN when you graduate nursing school. You shouldn't have to sit through basic a&p courses in Paramedic school. States also don't require Paramedics to have a degree. Just a certificate will do. Check the state EMS certifying website to see what RNS need to get certified as a Paramedic or PHRN in the state you want to work in.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Each State's EMS board/program does things their own way but usually they allow licensed RN's to challenge the written portion of the Paramedic exam and then you go do some kind of field internship. The challenging RN may be required to take a basic EMT course, a Paramedic refresher course, or possibly even a full Paramedic program... depending upon the specifics of how each state's laws are written for this situation.

Getting licensed/certified as a Paramedic usually is not an automatic/given process. The thought processes are very different and you may be exposed to some procedures that you aren't familiar with or have ever done before on your own. Nursing School doesn't teach you how to work in the field or do first aid stuff. It doesn't teach you Hazmat Awareness or Operations skills. It doesn't teach you how to be safe on scene with an OD patient that you're just about to give naloxone to.

I applaud you for wanting to learn both roles. If you desire doing flight/transport that does scene calls, you should be equally proficient in both roles.

Oh, and I almost forgot... some states may require that ambulances (air or ground) have at least one EMS person on board. That can wreak havoc with companies that hire/utilize RN/RN flight crews... one of them would have to be licensed as an EMS provider, usually as a Paramedic.

Interesting road to take, and one that I'm considering myself.

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The creighton bridge course is short. You should be able to do that while working as an rn, which you will need to do for a while to get on a flight crew. Start working and if you need to bridge you can.

BSN GCU 2014. ED Residency ;)

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

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