Eric_Medic

Hey everyone! So, I have posted at allnurses in the past but that was at a turning point in my life. Since then.... "I did a thing." I was at a crossroads in 2014 as a Paramedic between pursuing a Nursing career and a Firefighter/Paramedic career. Well, my persistence with the CA fire service paid off and I am now a "career" Firefighter/Paramedic for 3 years at a large agency in NorCal. I enjoy the work, mostly, but at times envy the emergency department nurses I see from time to time when taking patients in via pain train (ambulance). I find that the overall nature of my position is fun, challenging, rewarding, and demanding. I would like to pursue a nursing career to supplement my current job. I have a regular significant amount of time off (48 hours on and 96 hours off) and feel like it should be possible to somehow make this work. I have a BA in psychology (bailed on continuing in that for a few personal/ethical reasons) and had started some pre-reqs prior to being hired. I have looked into online schools... which don't look too promising or possible. I have thought about trying the LVN route to then do a LVN to RN of some sort bridge but haven't found a good program. I have even thought of trying to look into schools in the Reno Nevada area... or doing online school and using the Reno school for clinical sites. I haven't fully looked into that. I know you need concurrent clinical and didactic. My goal would be to get a CA BSN license eventually. Any advice? I basically need a flexible schedule. I am able to manipulate my schedule a little but it can get tricky. Is this even possible? I want to note that although I am a paramedic... and a firefighter... I KNOW that i DO NOT know it all. I feel like there is a unspoken prejudice against my kind... and I want to assure you that I am aware I have a lot to learn and am always up for the opportunity to absorb, learn, and improve. It helps make the world go round. Thanks!

Thank you caliotter3. This is what I have heard. I will stay away from excelsior.

Thank you for the response akulahawkRN. I would rather not go out of CA but I understand the rationale. I will start to look out of state as an alternate option.

Thanks for the response RBeck911. I have heard of Excelsior college but have not looked into it too much. I will start looking toward ADN/ASN programs but Im hoping my science pre-reqs I have to take will improve my GPA to be more competitive. Also, I am in CA and planning on staying in CA. I have heard negative things about Excelsior and its relationship with BSN entry and the CA BRN. Any insight on that? One of the reasons I am more interested in BSN programs is because with my previous bachelors, it winds up being almost the same amount of time to obtain my BSN vs ADN/ASN. Obviously BSN programs are more competitive, but I would like to save time, and come out the other side with a more competitive degree so I can get where I would like to be faster. (ER RN) Also, did you obtain the position of FF/PM and then quit to go back to school?

What state are you in Vengeance? I was looking at the MSN but have been told that it is geared more towards the "education/ instructor" role. I would love to find a program which offers a BSN rolled into their MSN program but so far... no dice.

Thank you for all of your responses. I really appreciate the insight. I have started taking pre-requisite courses which my Bachelors did not cover. Ive also started a phlebotomy course which is short and should allow me to gain a ER-tech position a lot easier. Ive been trying to network with nurses I have met and utilize all the connections possible to gain insight and possible job opportunities.

I just want to be clear that I am in no position to be arrogant or "know-it-all." I am eager to learn and improve both myself, my knowledge, and my patient care overall. Part of the reason I feel that moving into nursing is a good for for me is because of the difference in culture I have noticed. I feel like the role as an RN and the culture that is supported via that role speaks to me more than what I have experienced this far as a medic. I come in contact with arrogant medics all day. I also come in contact with arrogant nurses just the same. It's a two way street and it bothers me that there is this seeming hierarchy "I'm better than you" attitude. We are all in it to better the patient and patient advocacy should come first. Sometimes people get caught up in what they know or what they think they know and instead of advocating for the patient, they advocate for their position in being correct (which may or may not be right). All I'm saying is I am not big headed or arrogant. I find humility is something that is extremely important in life regardless of career path. Sorry for the tangent. I appreciate everyone's responses thus far. I am looking into and have applied to ER tech spots. My goal is to get a spot as a tech hopefully at cottage in Santa Barbara and get into csuci BSN satellite program in Goleta. Thanks again everyone!!

Hey! Im new here and was wondering about a few things. I am a 27M and currently a Paramedic in Southern California running 911 calls. I have always thought the position of ED Nurse seemed interesting and have decided to begin to pursue my BSN. I am taking my pre-requisites and have already achieved a BA in psychology previously. I am wondering: Is it beneficial to get a job as an ED Tech to gain more exposure to the ED RN position directly? Does my Paramedic experience, BA, even being a male help with BSN admissions? Or is GPA the only factor. What is the most valuable thing I can do in the transition from Paramedic to BSN student to career RN? Ultimately I would like to spend most of my time in the ED as that is what I find most interesting but I am aware that I will have to "pay my dues" elsewhere and have no problem with that. Anyone else a medic or know one that has made this transition with similar circumstances? Thanks!!

Hey everyone Im brand new here! This is my first post. Long but hopefully some of you read it and its not all "TLDR" posts. I am a 27M living in southern California (Ventura County). I struggled out of high school trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I went to my local CC and got my AA in general liberal arts & science then went onto a 4 year. I achieved my BA in psychology because it had always intrigued me but realized 3/4 of the way through it was not something I wanted to continue to pursue. So i was stuck with a basically useless bachelors degree that just was a resume builder basically. :: I re-evaluated my career path and realized that my altruistic nature craved a more hands on patient care style career. I have always been athletic and into fitness and some friends suggested I take an EMT course. I really enjoyed it and decided immediately I wanted to continue down this path. Of course, as many EMT students, I wanted to get a job as a Firefighter/EMT at this point. I have always been athletic and thought it would be a good fit. I worked for a short time doing IFTs in LA county with a less than favorable private ambulance co making $10/hr (terrible). I then went through a Paramedic program and obtained my P-card. That was when I really realized how interested I was in Pt care. During clinicals I realized how much I enjoyed the ED and never considered nursing as a male (stupid gender roles). I have been working as a single functioning Paramedic (with an EMT) for a year now and have been investigating the BSN side of things. I do not have a fire academy and feel that this is what is holding me back from even applying to Fire Departments. I dont find that interesting at all. I feel as though I am only pursuing Fire for the $$, the schedule, retirement, and stability. Its ridiculously competitive and being a white male does not help. I do not want to work as a paramedic making $14/hr. The responsibility vs compensation do not match. I do enjoy my work and do want to help people... but I have to have my own best interest as well. I knew what I was getting into but it is quite a harsh reality when you're living it. Lots of my co-workers are burnt out trying to get on fire depts and I dont want to be them. Looking at BSN programs, I find the nursing field way more interesting/bountiful than Fire positions. Lots of areas to move into, room for growth, decent salary, decent sched, many job opportunities.. it goes on. My only concern is that my GPA during my bachelors was not great (2.5) because I didn't really apply myself. I am about to start my pre-reqs and wanted to know. Is there anyone else on here in my position? Male? Paramedic Experience? Low BA GPA? Traditional BSN vs Accelerated BSN? etc.. Sorry it was long... I'm in a rough spot.. any advice??