So lets say....(Paramedic EC questions)

Editorial Team / Moderator · Apr 18, 2008

Becoming a Paramedic is definitely not easy -- depends on your program, I guess, but mine was four semesters/two years and came with a degree, and required a bunch of pre-reqs and concurrent education (like EMT-B, Pathophysiology, Human Biology, BLS, etc.). Plus a TON of clinicals, then an entire semester of being precepted on an ALS unit. What kind of Paramedic program are you looking at?

rescuegroomer · Apr 18, 2008

It's the same kinda thing. BUT..It doesn't have the INSANE GPA requirements, (3.4) plus I already have some of the prereqs. At this point it almost looks like it would be quicker because to bring my gpa up to a 3.4 is going to take YEARS. I don't know. I am so discouraged right now with all these doors slamming shut due to my inability to get through school back in my 20's. I did nothing but goof off and now that I am serious it's like IMPOSSIBLE (Or seemingly) to reach my goals. I always said after my kids were up to a certain age I would go back and bust it out, but it is SOOOOOO not the case. For example...I am retaking History II this semester to "erase" the D I made when I was 18. My average is abouve 100 riht now in this class. THEN I find out it won't replace the D becasue it was a different school. WHY IN THE HELL would I retake History if not to rplace the D. The point is to get rid of it!! They said I could have taken it online through the school, but not at the school I am at. (ALSO A TN COLLEGE THOUGH> ?????) anyway...so basically it will take me 5 years to redo those grades. I need a better way and the paramedic route looked promising. 2 years verses 5..THEN get into nursing.. ??? AHHHHHHHHH (SCREAMING) :banghead:

DoubleblessedRN, ADN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-P · Apr 20, 2008

You could become a Paramedic first, but let me warn you right away it is not an easy thing to do. In order to become licensed in all but a couple of states, you must pass the National Registry, and it is a very hard test; the rightest of the right, like the NCLEX. Not to discourage you or cause anxiety, but many do not pass on their first attempt. As Lunah stated, most community college programs are four semesters long (our local college's program is also) AND you have to be a Basic EMT to enroll, which requires about six to nine months of schooling. You may also want to consider a specialized EMS training center.

Becoming a paramedic is a good stepping stone towards nursing, but in order to pass nursing exams (especially EC's) you cannot think like a paramedic. The skills, knowledge and experience are a valuable asset. EC IS pretty liberal about transferrable credits, but I highly doubt ANY traditional program would accept theirs. You have to be very motivated in order to do EC because there is no instructor riding you and there are no deadlines, so you cannot be a procrastinator. But it CAN be done, with a lot of motivation, hard work and determination. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Apr 20, 2008

EC IS pretty liberal about transferrable credits, but I highly doubt ANY traditional program would accept theirs.

My traditional BSN program (NLNAC & CCNE accredited) accepted my EC ASN credits, as do all of the other traditional nursing programs in my area.

Medicmuse · Apr 20, 2008

If you don't already have your EMT-B you can get it in one semester, it's only like 100 hours or so, don't quote me. I went to Century college for my Paramedic it was 18 months and EC took many of my EMS credits I think 30 to be exact.

Being a Medic is the best job i will EVER have! I love it, I worked in Baton Rouge Louisiana . I saw just about everything you could see on the streets. But EMS is extremely hard on your body, a lot of heavy lifting.

I am sure you can get your paramedic cert and apply to EC but I would suggest getting some good experience under your belt before trying the Nursing thing.

I think the only reason this course is even possible for me is that I have 10 years of Hospital/ EMS experience...it's a lot to think about, so good luck. Hope I didn't toot my horn too much and actually helped you a little...

Editorial Team / Moderator · Apr 20, 2008

My traditional BSN program (NLNAC & CCNE accredited) accepted my EC ASN credits, as do all of the other traditional nursing programs in my area.

But would other colleges accept the EC credits if you didn't finish your RN?

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Apr 20, 2008

But would other colleges accept the EC credits if you didn't finish your RN?

Yes- as far as I know. When I was preparing to start EC, I called all the nursing programs in my area to see if they would accept credits from the program- just in case I didn't make it all the way through. They all said yes.

My general ed credits were accepted as well. These are evaluated separately from your nursing credits in all traditional BSN programs.

The only thing I had to retake, was Nursing Leadership & Management (NC7 at the time), because it was a 300 level course at EC, but a 400 level course at the trad school. We even used the same book. No biggie, though. I still learned some things from taking it again, and it was an easy A for me. :smokin:

chip193 · Apr 20, 2008

If you don't want to be a Paramedic, don't go to Paramedic school!

Your EC base will be your Paramedic training and, if you really have no desire to be a Paramedic, you will not have the interest in it that you really need to have. Then, when the time comes, after you have been through all of the EC program, you'll come across something that you should know about and will overlook, because you really had no interest in being in Paramedic school.

Besides, there is a Paramedic shortage too...don't take a seat in a program if you're not going to actually use it!

DoubleblessedRN, ADN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-P · Apr 21, 2008

My traditional BSN program (NLNAC & CCNE accredited) accepted my EC ASN credits, as do all of the other traditional nursing programs in my area.

What I meant was that I doubted most ADN programs would accept EC nursing credits, (If one had great difficulty with distance learning or was unable to pass the CPNE after three attempts and EC was no longer an option) because clinicals and classroom hours often go hand in hand. All of our traditional ADN programs in my area will make a student nurse go through the entire program except for LPN and Paramedic to RN programs. Most RN to BSN programs will accept most licensed RNs (including EC grads), as do two major universities around here that I know of.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Apr 21, 2008

What I meant was that I doubted most ADN programs would accept EC nursing credits, (If one had great difficulty with distance learning or was unable to pass the CPNE after three attempts and EC was no longer an option) because clinicals and classroom hours often go hand in hand. All of our traditional ADN programs in my area will make a student nurse go through the entire program except for LPN and Paramedic to RN programs. Most RN to BSN programs will accept most licensed RNs (including EC grads), as do two major universities around here that I know of.

I see what you're saying- this is most likely true for those programs that aren't LPN-RN bridge programs. I didn't think about that. The only ones I checked with in my area were LPN-RN. Those programs have different clinical requirements in my state. I can also see where if you're a medic it would be a different story.

sbuxdrinkr · May 4, 2008

rescueg....

i basically had the same plan as you. the paramedic part was pretty easy, just very time consuming with all the clinicals. now i am taking the ec tests. overall, they are relatively easy, only taking a few hours to study for each one. i didn't have more than a few months work experience as a medic and they didn't mind that.