Paramedics advance into nursing

[cctparamedic]

I feel that paramedics can and should be allowed to enter into bridge classes such as the LPN/LVN to RN.

[PeachPie]

I second that.

[ceecel.dee, MSN, RN]

You know...I agree, IF they can negate the "need" for the adrenaline rush. Paramedics (that have earned the medical staff's respect) are used to a degree of "prescribing/diagnosing" that RN's are sometimes

not granted. RN's sometimes do not appreciate this; it, however, varies from institution to instution.

(As a sideline, our insitution did not employ paramedics, so the docs trusted the RN's more than the local EMT's or back-up paramedics so no personal training/experience here. We sometimes found overcompensation on the paramedics part).

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

They can and do in many places. There are many programs that offer paramedic-to-RN transition programs very similar to LPN-to-RN programs.

[CraigB-RN, MSN, RN]

For the most part I agree. The problem is that a lot of the bridge programs assume to much. It's not the skills and the knowledge that is the problem it's the mindset that is different.

I did a bridge program. Took me 9 months to get an ADN.

[DoubleblessedRN, ADN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-P]

Some community colleges offer these type of programs. There is one that does about an hour and a half from me. (I chose not to go this route because of the distance and having young children.)

There are still prerequisites such as Eng., Psych., A&P and Micro. Applicants are given a certain amount of points depending on their GPA, number of years of experience and other factors. Those with the most points are selected. During the summer, the students take a transitions (from paramedic to nurse) class, then in the fall, they go directly into uper level (second year) nursing courses. They then graduate in the springtime.

[danh3190]

I think the advisability of a bridge program would depend on the training the paramedic already has as well as his mindset.

It's conceivable in some places to become a paramedic with one year part time education after high school. On the other hand some Universities offer 4 year BS degrees in EMS that look a lot like nursing curricula.

It seems that part of the process of nursing school is not just the transmission of knowledge but also the establisment of a certain way of thinking. That might be harder to develop in an abbreviated program.

Some medics I know would make excellent nurses but I wouldn't let a lot of others (especially the ones who think they know more than the doctors) touch me.

[DoubleblessedRN, ADN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-P]

You are absolutely right, danh3190, you can't think like a paramedic while in nursing school. For me, nursing school isn't that difficult, but I have to think in a totally different way while on my clinicals and after thinking that way for so long, it's sometimes difficult to get back into the swing of things at my contingent paramedic job.

I totally agree with you about not wanting some paramedics treating you. While most probably wouldn't have a difficult time with nursing school, they're not all cut out for nursing. (Or even to be a paramedic for that matter.) It's people like that who think they know more than the Drs and nurses who give paramedics a bad name. They're just in it for lights and sirens, a uniform and free coffee.

[danh3190]

The coffee's free 'cause it's BAD.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

What do you think about a EMT to RN program? One of these just started in my area but it's also for LVN's and Paramedics.

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

We have a paramedic-RN program at one of our community colleges here. I think it works kinda like the LPN-RN program in that there are certain classes they can test out of, years of experience, etc are all considered.

[vamedic4, EMT-P]

The college that I graduated from granted Associate's Degrees in Emergency Health Sciences-Paramedic. We did our prereq's (A/P, chemistry, psych, ethics) right alongside RN students, OT students, PT students, and after our 2 year ordeal of classes, clinicals and externships...(and provided you're driven enough to pass)...you graduate with your degree. More fun and more difficult than I ever expected.

IMO you have to be in the right "program" to receive good instruction, and mine was great! THere are some programs out there that teach little more than what we call the "cookbook" method. First this...then this...stir it all together and viola...you've saved the patient. There's so much more to it than that.

Having the right attitude is everything, whether dealing with others in a healthcare setting, or learning all you can in nursing school. And I definitely agree with others here...some people just don't have the right attitude.

vamedic4