Questions from a Paramedic seeking career path input.

[Halfdeadmedic]

I have currently been working as a Paramedic for a little over 1 year and love it. However, I have many aspirations in life ... the main one to be going to medical school and becoming an Emergency Medicine MD or DO. My problem is that I would like to transition from Ground based EMS to Aeromedical EMS/Critical Care transport at some time while I am working to complete my bachelors (I haven finished two Associates degrees at this point and have an ETA on my Pre-med bachelors of about 4-5 years). I have already completed my FP-C but I am seriously considering an AS RN because of the benefits to an Aeromedical employer of dual licensure as a Paramedic/RN. I am wondering if anyone has taken this route that currently works in the Air medical industry or other Emergent/Critical Care settings and if they have recognized any benefits?

My second question is that I am considering the on-line program offered by Excelsior simply because of the convenience and the lack of Paramedic to RN bridge programs in my area. Does anyone have any feedback on the program? Thank you in advance for any helpful input that can be offered.

[Charmander]

Hello-

I would suggest working in a busy ground EMS system for at least 3 solid years prior to transitioning to air (honestly 5 is better) and doing good research on the program you are looking to apply for. (safety, training, CE requirements, NVG's, crew configuration, etc) Don't just take any job to fly, safety should be a priority.

As for the RN... if your goal is to fly, regardless of the title, then just work on becoming a solid medic (since your already a medic) with great clinical skills, take as many extra classes (not necessarily to collect the cards, but to broaden your knowledge base) as you can get access to, start teaching EMT's, ACLS / PALS, paramedics; precept new emt's and do QA / QI and all that 'fun' extra stuff. Read, read, read....

To fly as an RN, most programs require a minimum of 5 years in the ICU, so depending on your timeline... medical school application may be your priority at that time. Dual licensure? Sometimes it helps, but you must first master your chosen field before you try to present yourself as a flight RN or medic. I have to say that I LOVE working with my partners because of the enormous experience they come with. Anyone can manage pumps, vents, airways, chest tubes, and trouble shoot- it's the experience that makes them fantastic nurses to fly with. We fly as equals, but we both bring our unique training and expertise to the helicopter to collaborate and provide the best care for our patients. Don't just become an RN to get on the helicopter. Nursing school doesn't teach you those things..... experience does.

As for Excelsior? don't do it. I know a lot of medics have... for you with college and medical school, work as a medic and finish your BS strong to be a good applicant, then if you still want to go to nursing school, look for an accelerated BSN program (BS to BSN). (mine was 15 months) Regardless of the individual skills being the same, the thinking is different... hard to explain. can we run circles around a nurse in a code? heck yes! but it's still different...

Anyway, hope that made sense and helped a little-

let me know if I can answer any questions....

[elkpark]

If you know that you want to become a physician, why not just focus your time and energy on that?

Why put additional "steps" into the process (which is lengthy and complicated enough to begin with :)), why take up a "slot" in nursing school that could be filled by someone who really wants to be a nurse, and why put a lot of time and trouble into acquiring a license that you won't use once you go into medicine?

Best wishes for your journey!