Paramedic to RN or RN?

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Hi my name is Steve, and I currently live in Wentzville, Missouri. I just got out of the Navy back in August, were I was an Aviation Rescue Swimmer. Now that I am out, I really found myself wanting to help people in a better way than what I did while i was in the navy. So I chose to go to School for nursing at my local community college. However there is a 2 year wait until you even get to start the nursing classes.

I am 28 years old, and I really need to start making better money. so here is the question I have. Should I just get my EMT then my Paramedic's license, then continue working on my nursing school or bridge over from a medic? Or will that not benefit me? With the bridge programs, do you still need all the math and psychology prereqs and what not to get my RN? Also if I do not need the prereqs would that limit me from getting a bachelor or masters degree?

My final goal, at least at this point, is to be a flight nurse. So any help to push me in the right direction would really be appreciated. It's hard to get accurate information at school, since they pretty much all want to retain you in that school. Thank you in advance, and again thanks for your answers.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

i think you have to hold an EMT-B + RN to be a flight nurse..(but u have to check the program you are looking into.

i would say do the Paramedic-->RN route. it'll give you a nice foundation into the medical world, give u somethin to do and then u start nursiing school you'll do fantastic and ace your practicals :D

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Awesome, thank you for the info, I guess ill be calling our Fire department to sign up for the classes asap. Thank you again for the info.

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Specializes in EMT-P.

You don't have to be a firefighter to be an EMT/Paramedic. Many private companies provide emergency medical service response, responding to 9-11 calls etc. The way it works here in San Diego is that you can go to a Junior college and enroll in a EMT program. You have to take a first responder course, A&P I and a few other classes, then work as an EMT for 1 year before continuing with paramedic classes and certification.

Here in SD, entrance into the SDFD is very competitive and quite difficult to get into to with a wait list of something like 2 yrs.

Just to give you an idea of a JC curricula in becoming a paramedic, have a look at this link. http://www.swccd.edu/Pdfs/ParamedicsCatalag.pdf

What ever you decide good luck

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