mater44

Please, go ahead and close the thread. Be my guest. I thought the originator could delete the thread, as I can do that on other forums, but I guess not here. So please, go ahead and close this thread.

No, that is only if the replies are answering the question. I am not interested in hearing from others which one is better as I am very familiar with both professions. I am not interested in hearing about those who went from Paramedic to RN as that is a very typical path. I am interested in hearing from those who have gone the other way, which is not typical, and went from RN to paramedic. That was my question, nothing more. As far as what I have learned thus far, my statement is saying that a combination of material taught, my inability to study correctly, the way the course was taught, all play a factor into whether I feel I have learned anything. I am sure you can ask any nursing student whether they feel they have learned anything in their first 4 months of nursing school and I would reason that you would get a very similar response. I have very tough skin, but when you challenge my character and my heart, you will get a fight from me. Not because I'm sensitive or am going to go home and cry to mommy. Again, you know nothing of my background, and I am not going to enlighten you by writing a book just so you can know. You don't know my previous experiences or the criticism I can take. You can criticize my skills, my lack of knowledge, my inability to document correctly, BUT don't come on here and criticize my will and my character. I can more than make it in the nursing profession. I can more than handle myself in any situation. Ah, but you wouldn't know that, because you don't know me. Interesting how that works, huh. So let me ask you this. Are you and RN who went back and got your Paramedic and now work at both. If the answer is no, then I am not interested in hearing anything you have to say about the matter.

I guess you must not have read the comment policy about not making personal attacks. I feel that you have done so with the above statements. To say I would not be of any credit in the nursing profession burns me to no end. You don't know me, you don't know what makes me tick and what drives me in life. You don't know where my heart is. My heart is about the ability to care for someone in their time of need and to help them heal on all levels physically, emotionally, and spiritually. At it's very core THAT is nursing. I never said I wanted to be a FF, I said that fire departments use paramedics, that's it. And who said anything about faulting the nursing profession for my education. Maybe it's because I didn't study as well as I could have, and that would be my fault, not nursing nor selecting a poor program. How about you read the thread for what it says and not put your own spin on it, and make it something it isn't. This thread was not intended to start a "Who is better war." It was to see if anyone has gone from RN to Paramedic. It's that simple. Most people on here have answered some part of the question. The professions are apples and oranges. To those who answered my question with their experiences, THANK YOU!!!!

I appreciate those who answered my question. I am very aware of the limiting factors of being a paramedic, that is why I will still finish my BSN and then go on to paramedic, so I have both. It is not all about the money for me, it really isn't. It's nice to have, but I want some job satisfaction as well. Additionally, there are the little things that make a difference for me. The camaraderie you find in an EMS agency or fire dept. The fact that I won't be in a building or worse same room/s for 12 hours straight. I love the aspect of not knowing what you will get when you get on scene. It is the intangibles of EMS work that makes it extremely attractive. Additionally, I plan on pursuing wilderness medicine and this area is dominated by paramedics versus RNs. As an RN I will definitely want to work in the ER and possibly labor and delivery (yes, I enjoyed the babies, lol). I enjoy nursing because I enjoy learning about the human body through medicine and the patient interaction I get as a nurse. Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. Thanks. I have no intentions of dropping out of nursing school. It sounds like you are doing what I am hoping to do. I couldn't agree more about learning more in paramedic training than in nursing school. At least so far, that has been my case. I am in an accelerated nursing program that is completed in one year, and after 5 months, I'm not sure I have learned anything. haha. Nope, not comparing the two or asking which one is better. I have been around both fields to know there is a difference, not better not worse. I spent my entire semester in the MICU and I can safely say I don't want to work in the MICU. Maybe SICU or CICU, but probably not. I honestly could care less which position gets to administer more meds. I will work within the protocols of each accordingly, it's not really a consideration.

Yes, you read the title right. I am currently in nursing school. I am also an EMT-B, and have been one for 2 years now. I am coming to the realization that I really really enjoy EMS work. What I would like to do is finish nursing school (in Aug) and then get my Paramedic. I am wondering if there is anyone on here that has done this, as it is rather backward compared to the "traditional" way of doing things. If so, what were your reasons for doing so, and do you feel you can still have a more than comfortable way of life (to me that means being able to take a decent vacation once a year). I appreciate any feedback as this is a difficult thought process for me, because I feel I am going against the grain and I just need others non-biased (aka-you don't know me) opinions on the matter.

Ok, the headline may be misleading, but I couldn't think of a better one. I have started clinicals and I have some questions. I am still getting used to being on my feet 12 hours of the day. I am ok with it, and I know over time my body will get use to it. However, my feet and knees ache really bad at the end. I am wondering if it is ok to take 5-10 minutes, say 3-4 times throughout the shift to go and walk the stairs. Sounds silly, but last night I had to go back in get my lunch and I took the stairs and it felts so good to use my legs in a different way. I am hoping that if I can incorporate that into my 12-hour shift, I won't hurt as bad at the end. Secondly, hydrating and food. My preceptor is a runner and she is in good shape, but I asked her how she stayed hydrated during her shift, because from what I can see, we don't drink anything during the shift (too busy) and that's not good. She says she redhydrates at home after her shift, and that is still not good. How does one get fluids throughout the shift when there is a no food/beverage on the floor rule (which is smart)? The only time I have had food is the 30 minutes for lunch, I would like to be able to find a way to snack on healthy foods throughout the day. I understand that is life as a nurse, but I also know there are nurses out there that are athletes, runner, bodybuilders, competitors, and I want to know how they make it work during a 12-hour shift. It's a lifestyle and I want to get it down before I become a statistic (gaining weight during nursing school. I can't afford that) Thanks for any input or suggestions, or even just telling me its ok to take a 5-10 minute break when time allows. I don't want to give off the impression that I am going into hiding to avoid doing anything, which is actually the complete opposite of my mantra. I want to do it all. lol. haha.

I started in August and know exactly what you are talking about. Although I have not been berrated personally, the instructors all taught differently and you just hope you got lucky to do the skill right in front of the right instructor. Our first class was horrible in terms of instruction and communication. BUT, I highly recommend you stick it out. A few of us in class try and get together regularly and we vent like there is no tomorrow. If you know nursing is where you want to be, I suggest you stick it out, and make the most of your actual clinicals (in the hospital). It sucks, I know, but I know for myself that there is nothing else in this world that I want to do, so I will do what it takes to get there. Hang in there.

How about this. Since your mind seems like it is already set. Go to Kaplan, and get back with us at the end of your program, (assuming they don't go bankrupt and you can finish) and let's see how smart of an idea this was. I, for one, will be waiting to say "I told you so." You are one stubborn person. As far as I can tell, not one person on here has advocated you going to Kaplan. In fact, almost everyone has pleaded with you not to go. Are we all wrong? One person here said it best, sometimes you have to learn from your own mistakes. Best of luck.

That's nice. Good thing I'm not 4 or 7 and have the option of "throwing a fit." There are a million ways nursing schools can set up their clinicals for their students. There are also a million ways to make life simpler for those involved. I am prior military so I understand "Semper Gumby." That is why I listed this as a rant, just to blow off steam.

Just because you get a BSN from a nationally accredited school does NOT mean it will transfer. The school has to have the same accreditation to begin with, and THEN the courses you took have to be similar to the courses they require. I have worked for a nationally accredited school, and let me tell you, it is not worth it. You are right and smart to do your research, but unless you will be content with being an ADN-prepared RN and have no ambition or intentions of going further, you are shooting yourself in the foot. I hope and pray that you make the best decision for yourself. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Some people have already said it, but it is worth repeating. DO NOT go to Kaplan. It is stupid expensive, non-transferrable, and if the "college" (aka: company) goes bankrupt, you are S-O-L. It's happened. You mentioned, you were willing to move. If that is the case, move somewhere that has a school the has a good reputation and inexpensive. I am telling you, going to these for-profit schools is an absolute waste of your money. These days, if you don't have perfect credit, you won't get any type of loan. Having a co-signer with really good credit is probably the only way you will get PRIVATE loans (fed. school loans are different). Sure, if you are a bad person with no morales and don't hold up your end of the bargain, it can rip families and friends apart. Otherwise, having a co-signer is a good deal. Good Luck.

This would be nice, except at my nursing program, wherever you are placed is where you will be for the whole year, or at least that's what they tell you. So in your situation, whoever had to commute would have to do so for the entire year, and of course, that is not fair. If we rotated, then it wouldn't be a big deal. Essentially, I'm over it. I'm not going to lose sleep over not getting my ideal placement. This particular faculty has already proven that while they may be great nurses, they are poor in teaching and in managing. Trust me, this is not the first time in my life I have come across this situation. I am flexible, thank goodness. Some of the students who have kids and families have already been screwed over by last minute notifications of clinicals and trying to find babysitters and such. One of my biggest pet peeves is communication, or lack thereof, and that is the biggest problem I have with this program. But, at the end of the day, I'm not going anywhere. I'm not quitting, no matter how mad they make me, because I want to be a nurse so bad, they would literally have to drag me out of school kicking and screaming.

You are absolutely right. One of our clinical facilitators sent out a message stating pretty much that. However, I still have a problem with handing out a "want" sheet when, even one student, may not get anything from that sheet. Simplify the process, and assign the students to the spots you have available. Take it out of the students hands. No feelings get hurt or hopes get dashed this way.

That is awkward. My solution is either just tell them their assignment with no input (like you said) or put all the available slots on the wall, draw numbers out of a hat and that is the picking order. I know I will learn a lot in the MICU and it will be challenging, but I have had previous EMT experience and ER experience, and I want to eventually do wilderness/expeditionary medicine, so I feel the ER, for "in-hospital" units is the best place for me to learn. I am trying to take the right steps at the right time to reach my goal. Good luck to you in nursing school.

First, thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this. I really just have to vent, and facebook doesn't give me enough room to do it in. Secondly, this is a rant, so before you jumped to conclusions and want to possibly berate me for being a baby about it, please read all of it. I just started a 2nd degree BSN program. 1 year in length. Before the program started, we were given forms that asked which hospital we would prefer, and our top 2 choices for units (med/surg, ICU, Pedi, ER, etc.). I won't name the hospital, but my top 2 choices were ER, and then SICU. I had wanted PACU, but they said no, and I understood. However, after the beginning of the program, they then came to us and said, no one will be getting ER, PICU, or NICU (they were on the fence about NICU to begin with). Well, today we received our emails telling us where we will be. Since ER was cut from my preferred list already, I figured I would at least get the hospital of choice or SICU. I got neither. I ended up at the other hospital on MICU. I then found out from some of the other students, that they got placed in units and hospitals opposite of what they wrote on their sheet. This bothers me a lot, because I know without a shadow of a doubt that where I want to take my nursing career revolves around emergency medicine. I was hoping to get experience in the ER as well as face time with potential employers. Now, don't get me wrong, from what I have heard I will have the opportunity to experience a myriad of challenges working in a MICU, and I am truly excited about that. But, it is the principle of the matter. If you can't get everybody what they want, then make sure nobody gets what they want. Better yet, don't even make them want. If you are not going to allow students to work on certain floors, say that up front, not AFTER we have filled out our preferences. I understand COMPLETELY that as a nursing student I need to build a solid foundation in nursing, and that is primarily done on med/surg type floors. I agree with this wholeheartedly. That being said, our faculty and clinical facilitators should not even give us the choice of where we want to work as student nurses. This eliminates any hard feelings, disappointment, or in my case, anger. Thanks for listening, or..um...reading. :-)