Medic2RN BSN, RN, EMT-P

Medic2RN has 14 years experience as a BSN, RN, EMT-P and specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

Medic2RN's Latest Activity

1. 

   Rn to paramedic in florida

   Medic2RN replied to Guest957596's topic in General Nursing

   Is there a requirement to do the clinical portion (ride outs)?
2. 

   Will my EMT experience help get a job as an ER-Nurse?

   Medic2RN replied to Socal_EMT's topic in Emergency

   Hi SOCAL! Here's my 2 cents if you're interested. I would definitely list your EMT-B experience. It shows you have prior knowledge of emergency situations and assessment skills. I would only recommend becoming a Paramedic if you are going spend some years getting the experience under your belt. Without the experience, those in EMS refer to it as a "Paper Medic". Since you stated your goal is to become an ER nurse, go to nursing school and advance your goal that way. Although ER nurses and Paramedics are in the same area of emergency medicine, they are different. I was a firefighter/paramedic for some time before becoming a nurse. I could not get into the ER even with 9 years of 911 experience. I was able to get hired in the IICU/PCU area (which I thought was strange). I finally got hired in the ER after 2 years of critical care experience. My Paramedic license helped me personally with IV starts, assessment skills, medications, and reading EKGs, but it did not help me get a shoe in the ER. I found that they only counted hospital nursing as experience. I know this is anecdotal, but considering my background, I would still advise to go the nursing route if you want to be an ER RN or go the Paramedic route if you want to be in EMS. Best wishes to you and your future!
3. 

   What is the drug of choice in your area?

   Medic2RN replied to Momma1RN's topic in Emergency

   Lots and lots of meth, opiates, then ETOH. Marijuana isn't even considered a drug anymore around here. Did I say meth? So tired of meth!
4. 

   Second Career Nurse Roll Call

   Medic2RN replied to NotYourMamasRN's topic in General Nursing

   After graduating college with a BA in psychology, I couldn't find a decent paying job, so I got a position as a flight attendant. I figured if I was going to work a low paying job, I might as well travel the world while waiting for the recession to end. During this time, I also joined the Naval Reserves and worked in intelligence. After being assaulted on a flight, I decided I wanted to arrest my passengers instead of handing out Cokes. I went through a grueling process for a career change to a public safety officer. I was a police officer, aircraft rescue and structural firefighter, and later paramedic. I absolutely loved my career. Once I was married and had kids, I had to change careers once again for my family and that's how I changed careers to nursing. I finished my BSN last year and I am contemplating going to graduate school for my FNP or psych NP. After that, I plan to ride off into the retirement sunset.
5. 

   Transfers who go POV

   Medic2RN replied to Pixie.RN's topic in Emergency

   In one of my ERs, we have a liability waiver form that the patient signs if they decide to travel POV. If the physician disagrees with the POV transfer and the patient refuses an ambulance transport, then we fill out the AMA and explain everything to the patient. Most patients do travel via ambulance though.
6. 

   Online RN-BSN

   Medic2RN replied to cab350's topic in Online Learning

   I graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette through the online RN-BSN program in December. I already had a BA, so the core courses were not a problem for me. I actually learned a lot from their courses and they were very good about keeping in touch with their students. You might want to take a look at that school. Best wishes!
7. 

   ED to Informatics ... nervous!

   Medic2RN replied to Pixie.RN's topic in Emergency

   Pixie, I have watched you 'grow up' over the years here on AN through all of the certifications and degrees. I am so proud of you! I know I sound motherly, but eh, who cares! I am excited for you in your new journey. I have no advice for you other than do what's best for you. The ER is a mystical place where you can love it and hate it at the same time and always seem to go back to it. Many nurses I know who have left into other areas either do some sort of PRN work until they eventually stop or go cold turkey and enjoy the memories. It's a badge of honor to say you've worked in the ER. I'm looking to change later this year. Like you, I'm at a point where I need to find something a little less frantic and let the younger nurses go bonkers. I'll look forward to see how you deal with the change. Best wishes! I know whatever you do, you'll be successful.
8. 

   Paramedic School before i start my BSN?

   Medic2RN replied to Socal_EMT's topic in Emergency

   SoCal, First of all, best wishes for your goals and waiting to hear from nursing schools. I don't think any type of education is waste, but you need to keep in mind what your end goal is - to become a NP in the ED. If you look at all the paramedic nurses who contributed to this thread, you notice something in common - all had years of experience prior to nursing. Like nursing school, in medic school, you will learn the basics to become a paramedic. The real education is the years put into the position and the experience. I would recommend to stay with the nursing. There are plenty of certifications to get along the way and they all would help you reach your goal. The EMT-P without experience would not help you. Ultimately it is your decision, but I hope you consider the advice on this thread. I was licensed paramedic in a busy 911 system with aggressive and advanced protocols. I did this for 9 years and it was the time in EMS that helped me, not the sole aspect of going to paramedic school. Good luck in your future!!
9. 

   University of Louisiana-Lafayette online RN-BSN

   Medic2RN replied to bridge2RN's topic in Online Learning

   I finally finished the program on Friday. I thought it was a good program and fair. I did learn a lot with respect to research, writing papers, and leadership aspects. The Capstone class was not difficult: I expected it to be really hard. I certainly recommend this program. My advice for any of the classes is to do any project or paper with the rubric at your side. They grade from the rubric, so as long as you address all of the points listed and follow APA style, you will receive a good grade. I managed to get all A's in my classes. Good Luck to everyone starting out! It will go by faster than you realize.
10. 

    WSSU NUR 2313 Books

    Medic2RN replied to moniquem's topic in North Carolina

    Moved to the North Carolina Nursing forum for more of a response.
11. 

    Currently in the University of Louisiana of Lafayette Nursing Program

    Medic2RN replied to rose407's topic in Online Learning

    1mrsbs, I was apprehensive about writing papers also since it's been 20+ years for me. They walk you through the first assignment and supply multiple resources to assist you with paper writing. It took me a long time to write that first one, but it's actually easier now due to the technology. Just follow the rubric and the topic with all of its points and you'll do fine. Best of luck to you!
12. 

    ULL RN-BSN January 2015

    Medic2RN replied to 1mrsbs's topic in Online Learning

    I started last semester in October. I'm pleased with the program so far. 353 & 354 were not bad at all and I was able to work full time while studying for my classes. Good luck everyone!
13. 

    University of Louisiana-Lafayette online RN-BSN

    Medic2RN replied to bridge2RN's topic in Online Learning

    You should have received a degree plan with the semesters marked. I did when I was accepted there. Do you have other general courses to do? I would talk to your adviser and explore other options of taking the gen ed courses somewhere else (comm college, CLEP, online). They are very open about options other than taking them at ULL. Don't give up, 7 weeks will be over soon and you can look into other ways to reach your goal. Good luck!
14. 

    University of Louisiana Lafayette (ULL) RN-BSN Experience

    Medic2RN replied to Oiseau_libre's topic in School Programs

    I guess we will be classmates, squirrel12!
15. 

    University of Louisiana Lafayette (ULL) RN-BSN Experience

    Medic2RN replied to Oiseau_libre's topic in School Programs

    I start on October 20th. The application process was very easy. The advisers have been great about keeping touch with me. I needed two additional classes and they were terrific about suggesting alternative ways to fulfill those requirements to save me tuition costs. So far so good!
16. 

    Do Med Surg / Tele RNs still get hired into ER?

    Medic2RN replied to PacoUSA's topic in Emergency

    Yes. I was hired with only PCU nursing and paramedic experience. I think it depends on the ER and what the manager is looking for at the time.