mtruland

Check with your local state EMS "board" before doing anything. Some states will allow RNs to challenge the test, granting them a medic license. I was in the same boat as you a year ago. I chose nursing, because of the vast number of careers I can lead. I can work practically anywhere, often at a higher pay rate than medics. Don't get me wrong, I love pre-hospital, but there's no forward mobility with medic programs. Maybe you can try the nursing assistant thing, get a foot in the door, and rate the experience. If you like it, maybe your facility will pay you to complete your RN.

I have an ADC Adscope 602 cardiology stethoscope. I got it from Galls magazine, and I absolutely love it. I have no issues with it whatsoever. There is one downside in that it likes to pick up the diesel engine of one of our ambulances, but frankly, I never use that ambulance when I run on calls. I can still hear fine with the noise, it just takes a little longer to hear. I'd recommend it for sure.

I'm starting school soon, and was wondering about the qualities of my hair. I've got a mop of hair just like Josh Groban. I was wondering if it'd cause any issues with school, but they won't give me an answer. I can't seem to get a good answer out of anyone. Any suggestions from anyone out there. I like the hair, and though I admit it can be a pain in the butt to maintain, I think it's okay. I also run on the ambulance for nightshifts, and can see the quality points of having short hair for that (no need for a hat to hide the bed head at night). What are your thoughts? I'm cutting it all off tomorrow morning if I don't hear anything.

I did, yet was still unsure. I'm sure they'll loosen up after a few washes. I appreciate the help... however obvious it was... Thanks.

Hey! I just barely got my scrubs and stuff in the mail from the uniform store that handles NHTI's uniforms. Everything fits, but the labcoat is VERY uncomfortable. What are the odds that they'd let me get one without the elastic cuffs? I have no clue how strict they are. I'm looking for something online that matches the design, length, and style of the labcoat that NHTI sent me, just without the six inch arm cuffs. Is there a reason for the seriously long cuffs?

I am a student at NHTI in Concord, NH. They offer an Associates degree in either Nursing, or you can take an associates program for Paramedic. A lot of the air transport crews here around NH have both Paramedics and RNs on the choppers. In the long run, if I can't challenge the medic, I'll just go for the EMT-Intermediate. I don't think I'll take the class time to get something I really won't use that much. We'll see how it goes though.

Having RNs is just easier. They're allowed to do much more than LPNs, and don't require the same supervision as an LPN would (from an RN). I'm in a two-year program to get my RN. After one year, they allow you to test to get the LPN. I may try to get it just to gain a little experience, but it's only one year. We'll see. Maybe I will get it, maybe I won't. It's all a matter of how I feel when I finish a year of school.

Not too bad. How'd I fare? A. 4mL B. Johnny has taken 1806 mL of fluids. No water via NG tube. (That being if 8oz=236.6mL, 1pt=473.2mL, and 1quart=946.35mL)

Thanks for the advice. I'm looking forward to it. This summer is going to be crazy. I'm getting my NREMT-Basic license... I still have testing and practicals. I should do fine though.

What is the math like? I have a book that someone gave me. It's a math for nurses book, which should help if needed. I took calc, so I should be fine. Math was never an enemy, but this math really counts. Patient's lives are in out hands.

Sounds like a deal. I can't wait to get down there to start classes. Would you recommend buying a couple of sets of scrubs? I was thinking for laundry's sake.

I took my test on 4/14/07 at NHTI in Concord, NH. Percentiles are as follows: Verbal: 85 Math: 90 Science: 97 Not too bad for finding out I'm taking the test on a Thursday, and actually taking the test on Saturday. :)

I live in Lancaster, NH. I'm looking at going to either Berlin, NH which is about a 40 min drive, or NHTI, where I would live in the dorms. Berlin is local, and I'd be able to stay at home with the parents, but I'm actually waitlisted for the program, and have no guarantee that I'd be in this fall to take classes. I can enter as Health Science Tech., but that's not good enough. I think that I'm going with NHTI, as it offers me larger hospitals. I want to try to get into a trauma program, either in an ED or an ICU. The long term goal is to be a flight nurse.

Hi Swtooth! I'm going to NHTI this fall, and have no clue how the sizing works. I'm interested though...

Oh, that's cool. I'm most likely going to be living in the dorms... Two years of that will be okay though...

I've heard from someone that it was some basic stuff with the med calc as well. Where are you from Supafry? I'm from Lancaster.

I got into NHTI on the first time around. I registered for the NLN exams two days before the test, and they accepted me into the program. I transferred from UNH. I got at least 90% in all of my NLN sub-categories. I'm transferring from UNH. Hopefully all goes well. Feel free to PM me if you need anything! I'm open to any discussion.

I've heard mixed reviews about whether or not you can actually challenge the paramedic license. I'm indeed in the same boat as you. I'm actually just barely finishing up the EMT-Basic, and will be entering an RN program in the fall. I've also heard that one could possibly challenge the EMT-Intermediate liscense with an RN license. I would check with local law, and ask around locally. Talk with people in charge in your area to see what others say. You never know, you may get lucky and be able to challenge. I personally want to be a flight nurse, and would love to have a paramedic license as well. The only downside is the hassle of recertification for both nursing and paramedicine. It'd be a great thing to do on the side as a hobby, but I won't pursue both if I can't challenge the paramedic.

As far as I know, here in Northern NH most of the ER postions are covered by RN staff with critical care certifications. It's not that they don't want to use LPNs and such, it's that the nurses here need to be able to handle a lot of the trauma of the calls we get. Sometimes it's two nurses and a doctor, and they need to be able to handle the worst case scenario. I also believe that they need to have ACLS, PALS, and a slue of other certifications. Some of them are also CENs to cover the shifts. It really differs where you live. Emergency departments differ from place to place, I've seen LPNs in EDs before from my experience on the ambulance. It's just a matter of how many people they need, and whatnot. It wouldn't hurt to try to get the foot in the door as an LPN, but I'd personally go for another year of school to get your RN. It's only one year... right?

I know quite a few people with ADNs who work as flight nurses. All they needed are RN certs and all of the other ALS certs.

Excellent. Thanks for the help.

I totally agree with that pricepoint. UNH, where I am not to try and get a BSN, will cost me something like 80 grand to complete. That's on top of the 20 I spent this semester!

This info is really helpful. I'm working on a resolution to my problem with some help with a local guidance counselor. Thanks guys! I think I'll go for the ADN, and then get a BSN later.

Thanks for the reply. I really am up in arms about this whole situation. I really don't want to spend another 80,000 if it really isn't going to help me out that much... Thanks, Matt

Hello, I'm a student at UNH in Durham, NH. I am currently on a pre-nursing track to get a BSN. This is going to take me five years, as I had some trouble finding what I truly wanted to do. Through my work on my local ambulance as an EMT, I have decided that I want to work somewhere in the medical field (Most likely flight Nurse or Paramedic). I was wondering if getting a BSN is totally worth it. I realize that I have the option to get it later, which I would plan to do anyways. What is your opinion on this topic. What should I do? 5 years and get BSN, or 2 and get ADN? Also, how are those online RN-BSN programs, and are they worth it??? I know for a fact that I will get paramedic at some point, as I can challenge the paramedic test with an RN degree. This is just going to be a hobby though as a volunteer. Thanks - MTruland