RN to Paramedic

I have always wanted to do EMS. My schedule never allowed for time to take the class. Where I live, EMS calls flight for any major trauma, prolonged extraction, etc. therefore the paramedics and EMTs pack and provide care until the flight crew gets there. They intubate, decompress, start lines etc. I guess I like the adrenaline and the critical patients that bypass the ER. I want to be out in the community providing care especially when time is a factor. Maybe one day I might fly but, not in the next few years. I was just wondering and wanting to hear stories about how the transition was for other nurses. 

Huh. That's interesting! Like @Nurse SMS, I hadn't ever heard of it going the other way either... We had a registered flight medic in my ADN class going back to school because she wanted to become a flight nurse. She said that her scope of practice in flight would increase (as would her paycheck ?)

But I also believe you should follow your arrow wherever it points you to go in life. So good luck to you @RN22!

After you get your EMT & Paramedic, look at Flight Nursing. You can "get some skills in" with some scene calls. You can intubate, needle d, and run all the lines you want, without a large pay cut! Look at your CCT / Flight programs, you may only need EMT or NOT need it at all. 

Anyone from New Jersey that would know the process to becoming a paramedic from RN. I'm currently and ER, RN, EMT, looking to get into paramedicine. I've heard in passing I may need to challenge the paramedic exam, does anyone know if this is true or how to go about signing up for this, many thanks.

On 8/1/2021 at 2:13 PM, Mri_411 said:

Anyone from New Jersey that would know the process to becoming a paramedic from RN. I'm currently and ER, RN, EMT, looking to get into paramedicine. I've heard in passing I may need to challenge the paramedic exam, does anyone know if this is true or how to go about signing up for this, many thanks.

Take a Paramedic course if you are looking to get into "paramedicine", even if its a bridge. You will have to check with the office of EMS in NJ to see if you are eligible as a RN & EMT to "challenge" the paramedic state test. If NJ is a National Registry state then you will be required to attend a Caahep approved paramedic course before taking national AND state exam.