HoyaTech

i think the OP is trying to propose not a shortcut to RN, but a way to use the EMT foundation to help provide many of the nursing functions in underserved areas. An EMT doesn't equal an RN, and the one semester program wouldn't produce an RN. He is making a parallel to the RN to NP. an NP doesn't equal an MD/DO, but is a way for APNs to provide functions that MD/DOs usually provide in various medical settings. It's also interesting that the responses to this program parallel the responses of physicians to the DNP and the few NPs that see themselves as physician replacements or equivalent in knowledge and wanting equivalence in scope of practice with physicians. Basically, there are no shortcuts.

yeah this is how it is @ my hospital. the weird thing is that they dropped the requirement to be an EMT, and all you need is BLS, which I think is a little stupid. Though IV insertion is allowed in the EMT-B scope of practice in DC. Also, if you're an EMT/medic, you're allowed to start oxygen if necessary, as well as suction.

This is actually what some physicians say. A BSN/RN can go to school for another two years to become a practitioner, and they feel that it devalues their education and time spent to become what they are. Who would want to hire a family medicine physician when you can hire an FNP who gets paid less but who functions in a similar way to the MD/DO? Same with CRNA vs. anesthesiologist.

in certain states EMT-Bs can place IVs, but all they can give is NS. Also, what a ER tech can do varies by hospital. As an ER tech in DC, I can start IVs, draw blood, give NS, EKGs, splint, place foleys, give oxygen, vitals, etc. Some of the techs are nursing students or paramedic students, and they also have ACLS and PALS, though that doesn't increase your scope of practice. I think an EMT-Practitioner would make sense, and what the OP is alluding to is the use of NPs/PAs, who are able to perform many of the functions of a physician, yet are not physicians. BSN school provides the basic foundation to function as an NP (with a basic understanding of pathophysiology, pharm, assessment, etc), and NP school provides the advanced courses necessary to function as a clinician and diagnose. It's a little more difficult with the EMT-B to EMT-Practitioner, b/c EMT-Bs don't really get pathophysiology, and the anatomy/physiology learned is very basic. I don't think a semester would be enough, but a year long program for EMTs would work, depending on courses. It wouldn't be for EMTs to become a nurse, but to provide many/most of the functions and assessments of a nurse to help with the shortage. This is similar to NPs/PAs not wanting to become physicians, but providing many/most of the functions of MDs/DOs to provide care in many settings.