Medic looking to be a nurse.

Altra, BSN, RN · May 30, 2006

I know many medics who are now working as nurses. From my own observation, they tend to be clustered in ER & ICU settings, but I'm sure that's not always the case. You'll be exposed to different areas in school -- if something totally different really lights your fire, go for it.

Best of luck to you! :) And thanks for all that you do.

Kir · May 30, 2006

Ah, the same route I took. Because of my distance from a traditional school I chose to use my military training and apply to Excelsior. I have been able to use skills obtained as a medic towards my nursing career. The only hinderance I have found thus far is the lack of nursing theory in my medic training. I am currently in a rural medical center, geriatric, primary care, L&D, ante and post partum care. We also get a good deal of trauma secondary to the MVAs and farm accidents. I love it all. FYI Colorado is changing a lot of their rules for acceptance of Excelsior degrees. Good Luck!

Kir

HappyNurse2005, RN · May 30, 2006

Some colleges have paramedic to RN programs, so the RN program is one year instead of two. One in particular that i know of here in virginia does it.

heck you could start out in trauma, and transfer out later when its no longer your thing.

Katnip, RN · May 30, 2006

i have a former army medic friend who was oversease for quite some time. trauma had long ceased to be his cup of tea. he ended up in peds, nicu, picu, and sicu. he did that in order to become qualified as a crna since that was his ultimate goal.

i'd have to just say what attracts you most?

your experience as a combat medic will help you in just about any specialty. it doesn't mean you'll be stuck there.

edit: and by the way: thank you for serving.

Trauma Columnist · May 30, 2006

Wanted to thank you for your service. I work in a level one trauma center (inner city - knife and gun club). However, I don't do major trauma each shift. Some nights its more medical stuff: strokes and heart attacks. For me, I love the variety - think I would get bored with the same old thing. Take care.

traumahawk99 · May 30, 2006

you may want to consider a distance learning program, like excelsior college. i both a medic and an rn, and i went through excelsior. it's not for the faint of heart or for people who need spoonfeeding. then again, i would imagine being in iraq isn't either :).

go to the distance learning forum and do a search on excelsior college. i'm very happy that i chose this route and i'm happy to recommed it to other medics.

TazziRN, RN · May 30, 2006

As a medic you are considered the equivalent of an LVN in CA. You could challenge the LVN boards and work as a nurse while getting the last year for your RN. Just because you have more experience in trauma, it doesn't mean that's what you're limited to. You can work in any area of nursing that you want to, that's what's so wonderful about this profession. Good luck, and my thanks from the bottom of my heart for your service.

"For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know."

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · May 30, 2006

i was a paramedic prior to nursing. i started out med/surg, went to icu/ccu then icu/specialty transport team, traveled and worked in trauma, neuro,then open heart, came back to icu/flight, spent 5 years supervising in a :cool: large ltc facility and now telemetry. i plan to travel as a nurse and take my youngest daughter with me when she finishes high school which is what brought me back to hospital nursing. she wants to see alaska and hawaii so i agreed to provide the housing and company while she sees the other side of our country. i was very task oriented as an icu nurse and loved it, when i returned to hospital nursing after the ltc stint, i found i like talking to my patients and i like teaching them also. i decided after 2 weeks orientation in icu that it wasnt for me this time around so i transferred to a busy telemetry unit and i love it! you will find your interests change also and nursing is a profession which is very flexible in that aspect.

Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN · May 30, 2006

Thank you for all that you do, so I can do what I do in a country that is free!

Your sacrifice and service are to be commended!

Now, down to other business!

Since you are active duty military I know there are educational benefits available for continuation of your education! Use 'em or lose 'em!

I'm not sure if military medics are state certified/licensed or if they meet the standards of the National Registry of EMT's. (NREMT) Without either state or registry certification it will be difficult to transition your military corps duty into the private sector. Assuming that you do hold either state/national certs, I think your best bet for education that will work toward a degree in nursing in through Excelsior. http://www.excelsior.edu

I know that they have advisors that have broad experience in assisting military in their programs. They can help with credit through DANTES and the financial aspects as well.

This is how I completed my ASN (and I'm working on my MSN there too) and found the program a bit intimidating at first glance, but when you break it down - it is very manageable! I did not have any problems with it.

I think most folks who get "stuck", allow their mind to defeat them long before the program has a chance.

Anyway, if I can help you further - please private message me with an e-mail and I'll do what I can for you.

May God Bless you! Best of Luck! Stay SAFE over there!

Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN · May 30, 2006