turkoise

I live in Burlington Cty. It may be similiar to Mercer Cty. First, go to (call) your local EMS services building and talk to the Chief. She/He will advise you regarding the process. You will need to become a member of that station. You can go to other stations outside your immediate area, but factor travel time for meetings and coverage areas for special events. The station will then sponsor you to take courses offered by the certifying body + the state of NJ, such as PHTLS, and other courses, like Pedi Toxicology, PALS, NALS. Eventually, if you decide to get your Paramedic, that will involve more training and time. PA has a Registered Health Professional designation that I believe puts you on the same level as a Paramedic, but I'm not certain of the restrictions or requirements for training. There is reciprocity between the states, NY??? You will be required to followed the terms of your station, i.e 24 volunteer hours per month to satisfy the $$ expended on your training. This varies from station/squad to station/squad according to their by-laws and by the county. An RN may challenge the written exam, but prior to doing that you need to do some mandatory courses in addition to completing the EMT Refresher course (3dys), the AED, Blood Borne Pathogens course, and have a valid CPR for health care provider card. Depending on schedules (yours and the courses), this will affect your time line. Of course, the county you live in may have certain procedures you must follow, but start with your local EMS station's Chief first. My son offered me this challenged to become an EMT, so I inquired in 9/00, was sponsored in 10/00, took the EMT course in 10/00, the written exam in 12/00. During that time, you are able to run with the squad as a non-EMT observer as long as they have the room and a senior EMT willing to mentor you during your availability. As an RN, you know a lot of clinical, but the rescue and the immediate intervention phase requires more intense prioritization and triage than what is seenor done in the health care facility. I have a 20 year critical care/trauma background, but I am in awe of some of the "stuff" I have seen EMS do on scene. I have been running with my squad since October and am starting my driving course after I learn radio communications 101. 10-4. If I can help you more.... *)8-D