Nurses who also work as Paramedics??

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Specializes in ER.

Hello all you lovely nurses! I am finally within months of graduation and becoming an RN. I have been thinking a lot about jobs because they are so rare in my area right now. New grads are having such a hard time finding positions within all of our local hospitals. I am very interested in becoming a Psych nurse (I am doing an internship on the unit and loooove it!), but am aware I will lose most of my technical skills. I love the ED setting of nursing as well and was wondering if anyone who is a nurse also works as a paramedic. What do I need to do to become a paramedic after becoming an RN? I figure I could work on the Psych unit and also as a paramedic to keep up my skills. Anyone have any comments about this? Thanks....happy nursing! :redbeathe

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Specializes in Emergency, CCU, SNF.

We had an ambulance transport service (from stable to high acuity) that employed medics and nurses. They would transport to/from nursing homes or from hospital to hospital. My ex is a firefighter/emt, he used to drive for them on his off days.

Not to offend any paramedics, I just loved working with them. I learned things I never would have. But, would that be considered working "beneath your license"?

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

I don't know what state you are in, but becoming a paramedic is another school to attend. Here's some info I found about it in my state.

http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/pstc/backup/paramed2.htm

Check out the prereqs

Here is some more info I found

http://www.emt-national-training.com/new-york-emt.php

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Specializes in ER.

Thank you for the responses! I will check out the information you found

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Specializes in Army Medic.

I'm not sure what sort of lab hours you need to log in order to challenge the NREMT, but a nurse is more than qualified to pass the NREMT if you do choose to challenge it.

After that it's a matter of getting registered within your state and finding a job.

Just keep in mind Paramedics are severely underpaid, I know paramedics out here that only make $12 an hour!

You may be able to get better information by calling your local Fire Department and finding out who does the re-certification courses in your area for them, they can probably guide you through what short cuts a nurse has into getting EMT-P certified.

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Specializes in ICU and EMS.

Most of the hospitals around where I live have "Psych ED's." This might be the perfect combo for you! They are often small units off of the ER where the emergency petitions, OD's, ETOH-ers, suicidals, etc are housed while being evaluated. In the hospital where I used to work, they had dedicated RN's who had a special interest in psych and ER. You'll still get to use your nursing skills-- starting IV's, putting in foleys/NG tubes, EKG's, etc as well as your psych skills. It might be worth looking into!! Good Luck!!

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

EMT's and Paramedics are licensed by some agency in your state. That agency can tell you what is required to get licensure. You will still be held to the scope of practice and responsibility of your highest license - nursing - so that may present problems.

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I fear you will have a year or more of schooling ahead of you. Many states don't allow RNs to challenge the exam and a medic program is a year in length- if you already have the pre-reqs AND an EMT-B certification.

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

The rules for RN challenge of a medic certification are allowed in few states and are quite restrictive. I am not aware of any way that an RN can "challenge" the NREMT for a paramedic credential.

I am sorry to point this out, but I feel it is necessary. Shared skill sets DO NOT equal shared practice.

Check with the NREMT at http://www.nremt.org and they can direct you to the state EMS branch of your choice for a definitive answer.

I admire your desire to expand your options and I wish you all kinds of great things. My position on this is unchanged - If you are an RN and want to be a medic - get the education and experience. If you are a medic and want to be an RN - get the education and experience. It is worth doing the correct way, because one does NOT even come close to fully preparing you for the other.

Good Luck

;)

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