Paramedic vs Nurse! Decisions!

Nurses Career Support

Published

Hi there,

I actually decided to enter the health field after my own health issues managed to get me kicked out of boot camp for the Marines. Honestly, before that I think I would've rather rubbed sand in my eyes than even consider nursing. I know that in the long run, I want to be an Orthopedic Nurse. However, I also kinda want to go the Paramedic route. The general plan has been EMT-B>Paramedic (thru local community college)>Paramedic to RN Associate's Degree Program>Orthopedic Nursing Certification>(maybe) BSN

I'm almost about to take the EMT-B exam and I am a Certified Pharmacy Technician although I never had the opportunity to be hired and use those skills. So throughout my EMT class I admit I got excited over the prospect of becoming a paramedic and going into emergency medicine. I figured that if I get into the program and complete it, it will be that much easier to get into the nursing program at my community college which is apparently difficult to get into. The more I think about this path though, the more I wonder if it would be better if I just go for nursing first and try out emergency medicine. That way, if I decide that it's not for me, I can always change venues or whatever after getting the experience that I need.

The major reason I've been doubting the paramedic route is that I've recently been diagnosed with Behcet's Disease and flares can occur at any random time and can take me out of work for awhile. I'm not so sure that working as a paramedic would mean that I would have an understanding employer who would be okay with me being out for a month due to a flare-up. I'm not so sure a paramedic salary would allow me to do that either way. Also, I understand that paramedic jobs can be very competitive. Not that nursing isn't, but I always hear people saying we need nurses, not so much for paramedics.

It's because of having Behcet's also that I want to go into orthopedic nursing and while I know there are orthopedic nurses in the emergency department, I'm more looking towards being able to treat and aid in managing the pain from the more musculoskeletal aspects of autoimmune disorders, injuries, and joint conditions. I may even consider delving a tiny bit into sports medicine. I feel as though the experience as a paramedic might be beneficial, but that going that route might be a waste of time or unrealistic.

I have some time to think about it since I wouldn't even be able to apply for the paramedic program until January, but I do feel I need to figure out my career path soon. I'm already 20 and am not even close to obtaining any degree yet. Most of my friends who graduated high school at the same time are already halfway to their goals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have you decided yet? I'm too trying to decide between medic and RN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

Something you both can do, is apply to both paramedic and RN programs. If you get in and RN program, complete the program, get some experience as a nurse, and challenge the paramedics exam.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, Psych.

I remember standing at the crossroads that you are currently at. I had finished my EMT-B and wasn't sure which route to take. I took the nursing route, and feel I really made the stronger choice. Nursing has a lot of flexibility, and you can take your career down so many different paths. If you want to be an ortho nurse, you can't do that as a medic. I have heard about people doing a medic, and bridging into an RN program, but I think it would be much faster to just do a 2 year ADN than a medic program followed by a bridge. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well there's some programs that the hospitals and ambulance companies offer where there are no prereqs required. You get your EMT in a few months and medic in a year. The prereqs for nursing are going to take me at least a year to completethen ill apply for the program but at that point I might as well do the BSN since it'd only take another 6 months-9 months.

I wanted to have some sort of experience since all these new grads are having problems finding jobs. But then again how hard would it be to work as a medic while going to school full-time. I'm not sure what I want to do!! But I'm sooooo sick of working hospitality and if Im in school the next 4 years ill have to.

Being an EMT alone won't support me and my son while in school that's for sure, but medic might. I'm honestly more worried about not having experience and not getting a job as a nurse after graduation if I don't do something while in school

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My 2 cents....

I have been a Paramedic for a very long time. I completed Paramedic long before national registry came along. I took registry when it was offered because I wanted that gold patch! I scored very high and even received a commendation for my score being so high. I consider myself a good Paramedic and I am well respected among my peers.

Due to the demands of long hours and physical demands of the job, and most of all, the low pay scale as compared to other health fields, I decided to return to school. My goal was a BS in biology and a Masters in PA. I was doing exceptionally well in biology with a GPA of 3.6.

I applied for nursing school at the University I attend at the encouragement of an MD friend. The reasoning was that I could still go to PA school with a BSN and if I got tired of school or could not get accepted in a PA program in a timely manner, I would be able to earn a living.

The nursing school rejected me bases on the age and level of my ACT scores. I retook the ACT, while taking 18 hours in biology and chemistry, and scored a 26. Well above the 18 required to get into the nursing program. I would have graduated with a BS in biology this past spring and could have started PA school this summer or fall if I got accepted.

I am in my next to last semester of nursing (RN) now. I failed my 3rd test in a row today and I am in grave danger of not completing the program.

Nursing is very different than Paramedic. Priorities are placed on the human response to medical conditions and not medical conditions. Today's test was on GI/GU. I am pretty sure I could give a good lecture to 2 year med students, yet I did not pass the test. I put in a minimum of study time of 4 hours a day and 100 pages of notes. I worked very hard and put in the study time. I have no clue how to do any better.

Nursing is so different than Paramedic. I can do the work as I have shown in clinical. My clinical instructors give me high marks. Even my nurse preceptor told me this week that I just need a license and that I am ready to go to work. I took care of 6 of her 7 patients this past week while she discharged a complicated patient that required lots of collaborative effort. (MedSurg)

My advice is stay away from Paramedic if you want to earn a decent living. Go to Paramedic if you want autonomy and independence. The Paramedic route teaches more of the medical route and nursing teaches more the nursing route.

A Paramedics life is a tough one. Statistics show that the average medic will burn out in 5 years and stands a very high chance of being a statistic of divorce. However, the back of a truck is where I am at my best. It's me, my patient and the grim reaper. I make it or break it and most of the time.

I wish I had gone the nursing route a long time ago or either skipped it and went the medical route. I do know a few medics that went back to school for nursing. They are really good critical care nurse or emergency nurses.

Good luck with your choice and I wish you the best in either endeavor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This doesn't really apply to being a paramedic, but I will tell my story anyway... can't hurt. I was an EMT-B for Detroit MI (DMCcareExpress) and while in school I loved every minute of the work. Even during clinicals, it was an amazing experience, I had the greatest EMT-B's training me. I was ready to jump into the EMT scene full on! I applied for the job, had an interview and received my orientation schedule! I was so excited... until I got paired up with my 2 Trainers... Both EMT-B's who had been working in the field a LONG time. They were so darn mean to me it was horrible. No matter what I did, I was ALWAYS wrong, and they were going to yell at me for something. I worked the 2PM - 2AM shift and I was always the one who had to stock the whole truck before and after our shift, wash the truck, and fill it up with gas. I had no problem doing any of those things because I was the new kid... I had to gain my acceptance right?! Anyways, They were so cruel to me I ended up quitting, I just couldn't take the constant criticism even when I didn't do anything wrong. I understand you can have people treat you like this no matter what job you work, but it just left a bad taste in my mouth for EMT work in general.

I am not sure if that helped at all but who knows =).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
This doesn't really apply to being a paramedic, but I will tell my story anyway... can't hurt. I was an EMT-B for Detroit MI (DMCcareExpress) and while in school I loved every minute of the work. Even during clinicals, it was an amazing experience, I had the greatest EMT-B's training me. I was ready to jump into the EMT scene full on! I applied for the job, had an interview and received my orientation schedule! I was so excited... until I got paired up with my 2 Trainers... Both EMT-B's who had been working in the field a LONG time. They were so darn mean to me it was horrible. No matter what I did, I was ALWAYS wrong, and they were going to yell at me for something. I worked the 2PM - 2AM shift and I was always the one who had to stock the whole truck before and after our shift, wash the truck, and fill it up with gas. I had no problem doing any of those things because I was the new kid... I had to gain my acceptance right?! Anyways, They were so cruel to me I ended up quitting, I just couldn't take the constant criticism even when I didn't do anything wrong. I understand you can have people treat you like this no matter what job you work, but it just left a bad taste in my mouth for EMT work in general.

I am not sure if that helped at all but who knows =).

you should have said something to your employer..that wasnt right what they were doing. you cant do anything about it now but if it happens again somewhere else speak up!

Im a -B right now and ill most likely get my -P after graduation w/ my BSN..because i love working in the field. it all depends on your preferences. but i would really suggest bsn-->medic first.. just because nursing is so flexible and with your health issues it could support you when ur off.

best part of the medical field you can work any time you want, not constrained to 9-5 :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
you should have said something to your employer..that wasnt right what they were doing. you cant do anything about it now but if it happens again somewhere else speak up!

I agree, I should have spoke up. I was young and it was my first "big girl" job. Since I was so young and the 2 EMT-B's training me had been there so long, I though speaking up would not have changed a thing except getting them in trouble and then me getting harassed more than before. I was just shocked that they would treat me so badly... The nurses and doctor's treated us crappy enough, they don't need to treat there own like that.

I am glad it is working for you, I can say I loved clinical's and I loved my class, it was an awesome experience. I should have just applied for different EMT jobs. Thanks for your words of advice :).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care, end-of-life, OR.

You know what, Dial911? You have given a lot of yourself to this world. It is hard to hear you beat yourself up. Obviously you found your niche. Stick to it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment