RN or Paramedic advice

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello I'm in the RN program, currently in Med-Surg. I am in a school that is a very respected school known to the RN world, that makes a very high standard for RN students which nothing is wrong with that but just so you see my point. I'm finding it very very hard to pass my class GIGU (Med-Surg) (this is my 2nd time taking the class):nuke:, so you can imagine with a lot of sacrificing being made and not getting out the results you have BEEN hoping for. So my question to everyone is what can/do I do? :confused: I'm thinking to take the approach towards Paramedics to get more experience or is that a foolish route considering I'm half way there to get my RN. I'm an exhausted student looking for peoples experience in BOTH paramedic and RN.

I know this question, many might not like it:smackingf but I'm not the type finding the easy way out I'm actually in the medical field because I sincerely want to help others emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

So here's the question What schooling is found to be harder? paramedic or RN?

Any advice for someone struggling in med-surg? Is it normal to struggle as much in med-surg? Do the classes after med-surge like peads, cardio, psych, & OB are as intense?

Please ANY feedback/help is much appreciated.. :)

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Both programmes of study have difficult areas. Paramedic will not be an easy way out. Your best bet is to focus on nursing school. Clearly, you are having issues with something. You need to seek help and resolve these issues.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I'm both a RN and paramedic. It sounds like you are thinking about leaving school, becoming a paramedic and then back to nursing? Getting paramedic experience will help you as a nurse, but will not help you get through nursing school. Nursing is a specific discipline. Yes, human health is the same but you need to look at why you are having trouble in school, rather than try to find workaround solutions. You should consider that maybe nursing is not for you. I don't say this to discourage you, just to take a hard look at yourself. Depending on where you live, being a paramedic can be a great career too. In this area nursing credits you have will probably help you to get into paramedic school. As to which is harder it all depends on you. You might be a natural for the variety and chaos of EMS, versus the more controlled area of nursing. Still school is school. Since you are persisting in nursing for now, I would keep going. Is your school helping you with all your needs? Please don't fail because you are too proud to ask for help. Best of luck!

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Thanks for the response. I forgot to mention that my financial aid is going to be cut off shortly. So that puts me in a tight spot considering RN they highly recommend not to work compared to Paramedic I think people have part-times and even full time jobs.

NUrse2033- Were you are RN 1st or a Paramedic? (I would think being a Paramedic first well help you to put the overwhelming material from the RN school into perspective)

Would it be wrong to ask if anyone out there knows anything about acclerated emt or paramedic programs in Florida?

My ulitmate goal is to be a Flight paramedic/RN!

Trust me, I'm not looking for a way out. I'm looking for options in a humble way. I'm just searching whats meant for me for right now with the help of everyone too.. I'm grateful.

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what areas in med-surge are you struggling with? Can you be more specific? How far along are you in the med-surge class?

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We only take One class of GIGU.. so it's everything from upper & lower GI, disease process, endocrine system, and now I have a BIG test on Diabetes.. Like I made it this far so I can't be a dumb dumb I presume. Like the 1st test 80% of the class failed the test.. You have to remember this is not Nursing process 1 or 2 where people start dropping like flies left and right. So all I can do is what I'm doing right now... studying... I literally study close if not more 40hrs a week.. I'm open to suggestions/advice/insight/anything

Thanks again guys.

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Were you are RN 1st or a Paramedic? (I would think being a Paramedic first well help you to put the overwhelming material from the RN school into perspective)

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Frankly, I thought the assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology component of my paramedic program was much more detailed and demanding than the specific assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology classes of my nursing program.

The trauma and shock components of paramedic school were more in depth as well.

Thus far nursing school "med-surg" has better covered the GI and renal systems as well as immobility and rehab (which I'm not interested in) and the perioperative process neither of which was even touched on in medic school.

I'm taking mental health now which was merely a chapter in paramedic school, but in all honesty it's in no way a difficult class. The hard part is the busy work associated with it.

If I were a youngster again, and not going to just go ahead and go the supreme route and become a doctor, I'd have done the paramedic thing and then gotten a BSN rather than doing the paramedic thing, B.S. in general science, an alternative career, and then going back for RN/BSN.

In summary, I think what another said; paramedic school will help you with nursing school, but likely you'll still not cover what you need help with. If your program is hard find a simpler one. I don't have a clue what program you're referring to since I've never heard of any particular nursing program being a standout among the pack. Buckle down, get it done, and if you still want to be an EMT-P then do that too. Good luck.

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Okay, I'm going to throw a bunch of questions your way--How do you study for your tests? Do you have power points from your lectures? Do you tape your theory lectures?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I was a paramedic first, then became an RN. Neither course of study is easy. My paramedic education came with a degree, as well as rigorous study in pathophysiology, pharm, A&P, etc.

You might be better off trying to solve your current study issues, because you might find the same is tripping you up in any course of study. Good luck, whatever you decide!

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I read a chapters highlighting the things i find important. Our teach doesn't allow us to tape record. I review a lot of critical thinking test questions. The powerpoints are only a outline to what to focus on. If i have time i will make my own notes, I will change the scenery (outside), I will do things like hold on a stress ball to help me think better while i'm squeezing it( it's a form of learning for people who are body kinestitic smart) i study 2 hrs on and take a hr break so i don't over due it where nothing sticks to my brain because i'm over dueing it..

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Two hours at a time? Geez. That might be your problem. I'm a reader. I like to read. However, there's something psychological about reading to study. I can't do it for more than 20 minutes at a time, yet if I were to read another book for pleasure I could sit there for two hours. Reading is about all the studying that I do so I get a lot out of it. If I didn't I'd have to take another course of action. If it's a boring course like research methods or gerontology and I choose to read the book then that's when the 20 minute time limit applies. I could read the more more medical-oriented texts for days.

It's all perspective. It's kind of like when I was little when there was a such thing as Saturday morning cartoons. I'd get up at 5:00 am, without an alarm clock, on Saturdays to watch cartoons and be fine, but when mom tried to wake me up so I could walk to school it took an act of Congress to get me out of bed by 7:30. The things I put the poor woman through, lol.

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