Registered Nurse and EMT?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a recent graduate and am starting my nursing career right now. I was wondering if it sounds crazy to be also interested in working part time or PRN as a EMT/Paramedic while working as an RN? I current work in Intermediate care and intend on going to the ICU as one of my options. Is this possible/a good idea?

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

There are many people within healthcare that carry multiple certifications and do different jobs. As long as you maintain the appropriate scope of practice it's not an unreasonable thing to do. And EMT/paramedics get great at starting IVs. Unfortunately, those positions are not compensated nearly as well as they should be, before investing in a certification I would be sure that you're going to want to work in that field. A per diem nursing position would definitely pay you more. 

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.

Be very careful. There are things that a nurse can do legally that an EMT cannot do (and vice versa).

 

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm in IL and I volunteer as a PHRN (pre-hospital RN) for my rural fire/EMS dept for the last 22+ years. I've been an APRN since 2006 and it hasn't affected my scope of practice at all. The two are different roles but complimentary. I say go for it.

 

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