PHRN certification

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Feb 15, 2005

I'll give you what I know. I started my medical career as a paramedic and now as a nurse/paramedic. I have parcticed in a handful of states and none have them have/had such a certification. One my original state for both has a nurse exception built in to their EMS regulations. That allows a nurse to operate at an advanced level after documentation of skills qualification ie check of with the medical director of the particuar EMS service they choose to work with. That also means they have to document it for every service ie if they want to work for more than one.

Over the last several years there are now critical care transport services that use nurses. Typically these nurses have to have a certain number of years of critical care experence- I have found anywhere from 3-5 being typical. This being about the same as a flight nurse would have, but as I said it varies. Some of these also require some sort of EMS certification as well. The reason here is that most if not all fall under the EMS regulations of their respective state.

So my suggestion at this point would be to get a postion working full time in an ICU and either work part time for a busy EMS system or volunteer doing the same.

Rj

11:11 · Feb 16, 2005

Few states have actual "prehospital RN's" and I'm not sure thats even a cert or just a title?

A call to your states governing EMS body will confirm what a RN can or cannot do regarding scope of practice in EMS.

In my state RN's, PA's and MD's can replace any member of an ambulance crew be it BLS or ALS provided its in that particular services policy with oversight from the medical director.

Currently I work for an ALS service (part time) as an RN which technicaly makes me a "prehospital RN". Thats not a title or cert though and in reality as far as my state is concerend I am operating as a paramedic.

If you truly want to go that direction go to the ICU (one that uses IABP) for a few years like the previous poster recommended, and find a decent BLS or ALS service that uses EMT-B's. You might even get lucky and find an ALS provider that will pay for you to go to EMT-P school which I also recommend-

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rn29306 · Feb 17, 2005

look at an earlier post of mine and follow the link for Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport - Provider (CCEMT-P). see if this is, along with icu and er work, is something you might be like.

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.ph.?t=84461

Trauma Columnist · Feb 17, 2005

Hey guys - don't forget ILLINOIS! We have PHRN's of which I am one of three in the state! Classes are now being held more often and so more are expected. I run with a volunteer rural fire/ems squad and absolutely love it!~

traumajunkie03 · Feb 17, 2005

traumaRUs,

Could you tell me if there is anywhere that I can get information on the IL PHRN class? Are there any prerequisites or requirements besides being an RN?

Thanks!!!!!

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2005

Pennsylvania has PHRN, you need PA RN and EMT cert to take the paramedic test.

I started as a paramedic, went to nursing school then got the PHRN.

11:11 · Feb 17, 2005

Could you tell me if there is anywhere that I can get information on the IL PHRN class? Are there any prerequisites or requirements besides being an RN

Keep in mind that the PA an IL certs will probably not stand in your state depending on statutes. In some states RNs can replace other providers including paramedics as long as they get further training which is usually done inhouse by the provider.

There seems to be that group of up and coming new RN's that want to step right into the prehospital environment and or critical care transport.

I dont blame you, its fun and exciting work.

You should know there is a reason why providers and want, and associations recommend, 3-5 years ICU and 1-3 years ED experience before stepping into this role. A short class and a few certifications is not adequate preperation-

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Trauma Columnist · Feb 17, 2005

In Illinois - there is a 2 day course (16 hours) that outlines the differences between hospital and pre-hospital environments. However, it is up to the local EMS medical director to make further requirements. For me - I had three years full-time in a level one trauma center, certs: ACLS/BLS instructor, CEN, TNCC, BTLS (PHTLS now), PALS, PEPP, ENPC, TNS (IL specific course). That was six years ago. I've since gone back to school and finished my BSN and in June will have my MSN. It is very individual what the requirements are for each RN. Talk to your local medical director. Good luck!

AngelMedic · Feb 19, 2005

Trauma Junkie,

I am probably in the area you are inquiring about. I am an IL medic (southern), returning to school to obtain my R.N. I have been working 10 years and have made one run with what we called a field nurse (it was a while ago, 1996-ish?). I know the class was offered at a local hospital at that time, but I do not know it it still is. You may want to try and work in the ambulance as an EMT-B part time or volunteer until you find a class you can take! And keep me posted, I will be looking at the same thing in a couple of years!

Peg804 · Mar 2, 2005

I am a PHRN in PA, Sorry 11:11 unless you have taken and passed the PHRN testing, you are not a prehospital nurse, and cannot act as one. I challenged the exam-not sure if you can still do that-was an EMT longer than I want to admit. I have seen several classes recently being offered in order to review for the exam. Your first task will be to obtain RN Lic in the state, which is not inexpensive, and them contact the state authority for Emergency Services. Skills have to be verified by your Medical Command Physician-intubations, crics, cardioverts. defib, etc. I am an ED nurse, and do Interf transfers-land and fixed wing-local and long distance. I also work for 2 ALS units, and vol for 1 ALS and 1 BLS.

mommatrauma, RN · Mar 6, 2005

I am a PHRN in PA, Sorry 11:11 unless you have taken and passed the PHRN testing, you are not a prehospital nurse, and cannot act as one. I challenged the exam-not sure if you can still do that-was an EMT longer than I want to admit. I have seen several classes recently being offered in order to review for the exam. Your first task will be to obtain RN Lic in the state, which is not inexpensive, and them contact the state authority for Emergency Services. Skills have to be verified by your Medical Command Physician-intubations, crics, cardioverts. defib, etc. I am an ED nurse, and do Interf transfers-land and fixed wing-local and long distance. I also work for 2 ALS units, and vol for 1 ALS and 1 BLS.

Don't think in PA you can challenge the exam now...they have gotten a little more strict, very recently...you now have to take a PH-RN course which requires so many classroom hours and so many clinical hours...you then have to take the EMT-B practical and the PH-RN National Registry, which is slighty different then the paramedic registry...but once you do all that...and you get medical command...you would function on the street as a medic, bound by their protocols and procedures...and in interfacility or flight nursing as a PH-RN being able to do the same as the medic, plus give additional drugs...