Paramedics in Nursing

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2007

As tempting as it is to bemoan your fate, I'd suggest getting over the disparity in training issue as soon as possible. Nursing is just rife with it. There are more ways to become an RN now than I have fingers. Yup, I believe some are better than others. Best to focus on what is working for you and how your practice is doing.

I say that as an Accelerated BSN grad who had 9 years of college before that. Often there are much easier ways to get where we want to go. But roundabout is ok as well. For all the hits college courses take, I've used every single thing I ever learned in college as an RN.

Best wishes to you. Paramedics can make great RNs!

njbikernurse · Sep 17, 2007

Well, since you asked:

1. Yes, I sense a little jealousy. But hey, I'm jealous of lots of people who have it better or easier than me! My main consolation is that I'm grateful for all I've learned, and proud of doing things the proper way and not skimping on knowledge. It tends to some in handy, this knowledge thing...........

2. I don't think the bar can really drop below a certain level. Hey, we all have to pass the NCLEX to be nurses, and I think any program that was truly inferior would have horrible NCLEX pass rates, and maybe lose their accredation. I'm ignorant of what kind of licensure exam there is for paramedics, but I'm guessing it's along the lines on the NCLEX. So no matter how fast your program is, you need the same knowledge base to become licensed.

I've had the pleasure of working with bare-minimum educated nurses who were fantastic, and BSN prepared nurses who were certified idiots and truly scary out on the floor. Not many of my jobs have cared where I went to school or how long it took me. They ask about my license, and my work history.

You sound like you have a great background to become a great ER nurse. Good luck.

csistudent · Sep 17, 2007

Quickbeam, Thanx for your reply. I have kind of gotten over the training part of it already. There will always be shortcutting in any profession. Didn't mean to sound too immature. I have a BA as well that did not get me very far in the medical world but has helped nevertheless. Peace, CSI STUDENT

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Sep 17, 2007

I'm new to this forum (actually my first time ever posting on-line). I am an Associates Degree Paramedic finishing my Associates in RN this December (6 years of school total w/pre-reqs) . After years of working in the field and schooling, I am feeling like I have spent too much time getting these degrees. The Idaho legislature has just permitted Paramedics to work in the ER due to RN shortages (they are still hammering out the scope). In our state, you can take an accelerated three month medic program with a minor EMS history and get your license. I feel that paramedics will never be given any respect as programs like this exist just as I am learning that there are on-line RN programs with similar accelerated qualities that do nothing but jeopardize patient care. Two questions:
1) Am I just jealous at this point because there are people out there who will be applying for the same jobs as myself with 1/8 of the training?
and
2) How much will the "bar drop" to accomodate the pending nursing shortages?
Just wondering. Thanx for any input. CSI (College of Southern Idaho):uhoh3:Student

First of all be carefull about statements about the online programs that jepardize patient care. Your apt to get flamed. At least one of those programs has been around since the late 70's.

1. There will be people applying for those jobs who have 8 times the experience also. Keep things in perspective. Just focus on you and being the best provider possible. Taking the best of both worlds, and fuse them into a solid provider will make you more marketable than those 20 yo's who have no experience at all.

2. There are those who say that letting EMT-P's work in the ER is dropping the bar. In reality there is no real "bar Drop" at least in ER's that i've been in. Now there is sure to be one or two out there that will hire anyone with a pulse who can fog a mirror.

Congradulations on your nursing and welcome to the fold. Merge the best of the EMS and the Nursing and you'll have the potential to be one of the best.

Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2007

Hey there csistudent -

Yep, it a bit unsettling to see where you were (paramedic)

To where you wanted to be (ED)

To the decision you made to get the necessary education (RN)

To get right back to your "goal" and find that if you'd just "waited" that Idaho would allow paramedic to practice in ER's. Hmmm.....

I've been in states/facilities that have "all licensed staff" - that would allow RN's and medic's to practice in their respective scopes. Sounds good? Well, in some ways. Other considerations have to do with JCAHO and their "standards" and paramedics cannot do meet these and need a RN to co-sign. So the medic can be regaled to a "tech" role in some facilities.

Other states that this has come up in there has been - full on battles. It takes years to work it out and then medics are still just "techs".

This may not be what medics want to hear - but, it is the frequent reality.

Now, go to work as a nurse.

Work prn as a medic.

What you need to do next will come to you,

YOU are in the CATBIRD seat - enjoy it!

Hang in there and FORGET ABOUT the happenings -!

From my experiences you will have little to worry about! Just get some high end experience and decide what you will conquer NEXT!! Advanced Practice, Management, Education, HEMS ???? It IS up to you. You've done your time - now enjoy your rewards!

Good Luck!