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.
I too only want ER, but I'm still in school so we'll see where it gets me. I don't see anything wrong with it.
Also, like you, I had a BA and my EMT-B certs and wanted a speedier route to nursing. Have you looked into Accelerated BSN programs at all? Might be helpful if you can't get those semesters waived (mine is 13 months).
Personally, I loved the ER experience (10 years level one). Going into the ER as a new grad can be rough. Although the pre-hospital and PCT experience you have will help tremendously, I think you might be surprized by how different the roles are.
I think you might be surprized by how different the roles are.
Good luck.
I completely agree! It makes me want to bang my head against the wall every time I hear an ER tech say "I do everything the nurses do except give meds"
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!
It sounds like your background is almost identical to mine. Don't worry about what other people tell you. When I was first an EMT, a very good friend of mine who is a flight medic and CCRN told me that if the ED is where you are most comfortable and would perform the best at, don't let anyone tell you that you should have 1 year med/surg once you graduate. My advice is choose the area you are most comfortable with and where you will be able to do the best job for your patients.
Although the pre-hospital and PCT experience you have will help tremendously, I think you might be surprized by how different the roles are.
I totally agree! I've been a paramedic since 2003 and a PCT since early 2005. As a new-grad RN in the ER, it is a very different role. Not in any unexpected ways, really ... I think it's about what I anticipated. I was hired in the same ER where I've been working as a tech, and I think that was definitely to my advantage. After the first few shifts (granted, they were crazy-busy, lots of truly sick people, most of my patients ended up in the ICU or Tele) I told my nurse manager that I couldn't imagine being a new grad in the ER without any ER experience .... that would be nuts!
At this point, I'm grateful for having good assessment skills and a flair for good documentation. :) They tell me I'm doing very well, but I'm in no hurry to jump off the orientation boat too soon!
mcs1505
163 Posts
I too only want ER, but I'm still in school so we'll see where it gets me. I don't see anything wrong with it.
Also, like you, I had a BA and my EMT-B certs and wanted a speedier route to nursing. Have you looked into Accelerated BSN programs at all? Might be helpful if you can't get those semesters waived (mine is 13 months).