Published Sep 20, 2007
myshop
18 Posts
Hi,everyone! I need help for my husband.He is EMT at this point, and now we are deciding for him to go to Paramedic Program or LPN school.After that he is planning to go for RN. Paramedic program much cheaper and very close to our home, but he just started and instractors are very bad, and you fail midterm with less than 87%, you out. And LPN's have more opportunity and this schoolis great, but very far ( but it's only 12mo), and twice more expensive. We really need to make this decision now.Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TazziRN, RN
6,487 Posts
Medics and nurses share a common base and we work together, but the jobs are different. If he wants to be a nurse he should go straight to nursing school.
Zookeeper3
1,361 Posts
Now I've not been an LPN, but from my memory, a friend who failed out after 3rd semester of RN was able to sit for her boards as an LPN and turned out to be a fine one (two year ADN).
Point is that if there is truly only a semester of "time" difference, the pay is exponential over a career if his plans are to become an RN. Try to tough out the poor finances if you can, we had to through loans. To do the LPN first, the wait, then I think the bridge program from an LPN to RN is 6 months, perhaps someone else can be more specific, but it seems a more waste of time and resources if you can make the one extra semester for him to be an RN.
I have no knowledge of paramedics, criteria or salary, but my RN was done in 2 years and I continued after that at an easy pace which fit our needs while making excellent pay for a 2 yr. education.
I don't have a comparison of pay from paramedic to RN, but if his wishes are to be an RN, it seems like a waste of time and schooling and will prolong his goal.
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
Your husband will have an easier time transitioning to the RN role if he completes the LPN program, as there are many LPN-to-RN bridge 'completer' programs in existence. The typical bridge program only takes about 12 months after the prerequisite classes have been completed successfully. There are a handful of paramedic-to-RN programs; however, not all areas offer them. In addition, I know of many frustrated paramedics who are unable to bridge to the RN program because none are in their area.
If your husband's ultimate goal is to be a nurse, he might as well start blazing his path with a nursing license (LPN) rather than a paramedic license. Good luck on the final decision.
ebear, BSN, RN
934 Posts
myshop,
I am of the opinion that he should go straight to nursing school (RN). No need in prolonging the situation if he wants to be an RN anyway. Many financial aide programs are out there. No need of wasting time and resources if he has other plans for advancement.
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,305 Posts
myshop,I am of the opinion that he should go straight to nursing school (RN). No need in prolonging the situation if he wants to be an RN anyway. Many financial aide programs are out there. No need of wasting time and resources if he has other plans for advancement.
I concur. That is exactly the advice I got.
Went straight for my RN. Never regretted it.
steph