still trying

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · May 8, 2005

Start nursing school from scratch and enjoy having an edge. You already know the A&P, a lot of Pharmacology and Pathophysiology. It will mean less study time. The big transition you will have to make will be in your approach to patient care. A lot of paramedics have struggled until they made that transition. The medic who certified me in CPR told me why. He said that in the field you respond first and ask questions later. The other way he put it was when a classmate expressed concern over breaking a pt's ribs with compressions and he said, "These people are, for all intents and purposes, already dead. Any damage you do can be fixed." Also, check with the nursing programs in the area you may be applying to, with your experience you may qualify for advanced standing. A few of my classmates were able to shave off a semester or two. Good luck!!

meownsmile, BSN, RN · May 8, 2005

I have to agree, just go through the nursing classes and be appreciative that you will be in a better position than most of your classmates. Its a different focus between paramedic and RN. Same as it is different between LPN and RN. You can cut a little out of the program if you are already a LPN, but when it comes down to it,, its not that much. Most LPN's end up taking most all the nursing classes and possibly get to cut out a few core classes as credit for their licensure. Good luck, we need more like you.

previous · May 9, 2005

Start nursing school from scratch and enjoy having an edge. You already know the A&P, a lot of Pharmacology and Pathophysiology. It will mean less study time. The big transition you will have to make will be in your approach to patient care. A lot of paramedics have struggled until they made that transition. The medic who certified me in CPR told me why. He said that in the field you respond first and ask questions later. The other way he put it was when a classmate expressed concern over breaking a pt's ribs with compressions and he said, "These people are, for all intents and purposes, already dead. Any damage you do can be fixed." Also, check with the nursing programs in the area you may be applying to, with your experience you may qualify for advanced standing. A few of my classmates were able to shave off a semester or two. Good luck!!

Thank you very much for your response. Today Is Monday and I'm going full tilt on finding a program at night. I know the hardest transformation will be from "Street Medicine aka- act then ask questions, but I will be in a better position to help others and myself. Thanks Again.

previous · May 9, 2005

I have to agree, just go through the nursing classes and be appreciative that you will be in a better position than most of your classmates. Its a different focus between paramedic and RN. Same as it is different between LPN and RN. You can cut a little out of the program if you are already a LPN, but when it comes down to it,, its not that much. Most LPN's end up taking most all the nursing classes and possibly get to cut out a few core classes as credit for their licensure. Good luck, we need more like you.

Thank you for your information. Initially I was considering the LPN way. However if I'm going to go to school I might as well go all out. thanks again for your help.

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 9, 2005

Good luck. I check the local college here that has a paramedic to RN program and you have to have a current license and cpr card to apply. Probably that's what you're going to find with most programs that are certified and worth anything.