Only ER?

[leapfrog16]

I'm a potential nursing student (planning on challenging several semesters of the ADN program locally b/c of experience as a pt care tech in a busy level II trauma center as well as anatomy/physiology classes, EMT-B, premed in undergrad, etc). I've got a bachelor's degree in something completely different. I have good "skills," or at least, I think/feel comfortable doing the PCT skills I have (foleys, blood draws, ekgs, splinting, what-have-you) and I'm only interested in the ER.

I mean, really. I don't ever want to work on a floor (maybe ICU. maybe). I was a sitter for a pt once and nearly died of boredom.

Is that unreasonable? Should I become a nurse if ER nursing is the only thing I want to do? I am also interested in flight nursing further down the line (I'm an EMT too, and might get my paramedic's license next summer as well), which I understand is hugely competitive and would require quite a few years of high-acuity nursing experience.

Thanks!

[jla623]

I'm a potential nursing student (planning on challenging several semesters of the ADN program locally b/c of experience as a pt care tech in a busy level II trauma center as well as anatomy/physiology classes, EMT-B, premed in undergrad, etc). I've got a bachelor's degree in something completely different. I have good "skills," or at least, I think/feel comfortable doing the PCT skills I have (foleys, blood draws, ekgs, splinting, what-have-you) and I'm only interested in the ER.

I mean, really. I don't ever want to work on a floor (maybe ICU. maybe). I was a sitter for a pt once and nearly died of boredom.

Is that unreasonable? Should I become a nurse if ER nursing is the only thing I want to do? I am also interested in flight nursing further down the line (I'm an EMT too, and might get my paramedic's license next summer as well), which I understand is hugely competitive and would require quite a few years of high-acuity nursing experience.

Thanks!

That isn't unreasonable at all. Just find a good new grad internship program. They are long (I have seen some up to 6 months), but I hear they train and prepare you very well.

[lvnandmomx3]

There are many specialties in nursing. And from what you posted sounds like you have the background to probably go right into ER. Most of the time it is not recommended to start there, but you sound like you have experience in it even though its not in nursing.

[Dolce, RN]

No, its not at all wrong to have an idea of what you want to specialize in when you graduate. Keep your eyes and ears open in nursing school though because you may find that you like another field better. I was all psyched up to be the next greatest ICU nurse but then realized I hated it in nursing school. Keep your mind open to the possibilities and if nothing else strikes your fancy then go for it!

[RN_in_SC]

I only wanted to do ER. I had 3 ER job offers before graduation. So that is where I work.

I didn't come to the realization of wanting to do ER until I was in Nursing School, but then it was my goal.

I think it is good to have a goal, but also good to keep your eyes open and not miss any other opportunities.

[magicman]

I started as a medic also and hadn't done any other nursing before starting in the ED also. Your background in pre hospital care gives you some of the skillsets that are needed to be a good, quality ED nurse. I say go for it!

[MassED, BSN, RN]

I'm a potential nursing student (planning on challenging several semesters of the ADN program locally b/c of experience as a pt care tech in a busy level II trauma center as well as anatomy/physiology classes, EMT-B, premed in undergrad, etc). I've got a bachelor's degree in something completely different. I have good "skills," or at least, I think/feel comfortable doing the PCT skills I have (foleys, blood draws, ekgs, splinting, what-have-you) and I'm only interested in the ER.

I mean, really. I don't ever want to work on a floor (maybe ICU. maybe). I was a sitter for a pt once and nearly died of boredom.

Is that unreasonable? Should I become a nurse if ER nursing is the only thing I want to do? I am also interested in flight nursing further down the line (I'm an EMT too, and might get my paramedic's license next summer as well), which I understand is hugely competitive and would require quite a few years of high-acuity nursing experience.

Thanks!

yep - many of us hate floor nursing.

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

What do you mean by "challenging" a couple semesters of the ADN program?

Challenging usually implies testing out, and you can't just test out of a good chunk of nursing school because of past experience (unless you bridge from LVN or paramedic).

I have a similar background to yours- EMT, bachelors in biology. The most I could test out of was a one semester-hour class at the very beginning of the program that went over basics like vital signs, bed changing, and bathing. I doubt the programs in your area will be all that different.

[labcat01, BSN, RN]

Ok- I agree with everyone else that you can and should go into the ER BUT just be careful in nursing school. Remember that ER nurses have to be a Jack-of-all-trades so you are going to have to really pay attention in Med/Surg, OB, Psyc, etc.

Also, it is my opinion that assessment skills are more valuable then PCT skills (IVs,Foleys,etc). So, work really hard to develop those during school. My professors always said "you can teach a monkey to start an IV" meaning that anyone can do those but assessment requires careful observation and critical thinking.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

I'm a potential nursing student (planning on challenging several semesters of the ADN program locally b/c of experience as a pt care tech in a busy level II trauma center as well as anatomy/physiology classes, EMT-B, premed in undergrad, etc). I've got a bachelor's degree in something completely different. I have good "skills," or at least, I think/feel comfortable doing the PCT skills I have (foleys, blood draws, ekgs, splinting, what-have-you) and I'm only interested in the ER.

I mean, really. I don't ever want to work on a floor (maybe ICU. maybe). I was a sitter for a pt once and nearly died of boredom.

Is that unreasonable? Should I become a nurse if ER nursing is the only thing I want to do? I am also interested in flight nursing further down the line (I'm an EMT too, and might get my paramedic's license next summer as well), which I understand is hugely competitive and would require quite a few years of high-acuity nursing experience.

Thanks!

i think you should be a ER nurse , you seem to love it and you have a good knowledge base.

but .. you can't challenge semesters of RN school... it dosen't work that way.. you need clinical hours and so many class hours for the BON to accept your application to test for boards. you have to meet the requirements of your state to sit for boards.

please contact your BON and see what they say

and good luck on your schooling:nurse:

[leapfrog16]

I was informed by the program I'm interested in attending that I could challenge up to 3 semesters of the program, dependent on experience.

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

I was informed by the program I'm interested in attending that I could challenge up to 3 semesters of the program, dependent on experience.

As the poster above you says, there are state board requirements in order to make you eligible for licensure. There are approved methods of "challenging"-- in Texas this means a bridge from LVN or EMT-Paramedic to RN. They essentially enter as third-semester students (after a summer catch-up course).

I've worked in hospitals for years and a good 95% of what I currently know I took into school with me from my past experience and education, however, no accredited programs in Texas let me skip multiple semesters simply based on experience, and I would be exceedingly cautious of a program that promises this to you.

The most you should be able to expect is to exempt out of one or maybe two of the early skills-based classes based on your EMT-B certification-- and that's if you're lucky.