What to do for RN/EMT-P?

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I am graduating as an LPN in 10 days. I keep asking myself what to do next. My goal is to become an RN/EMT-P. Would it be wise to wait for the paramedic license until after I get my RN? Are there more short-cuts for RN to Paramedic vs LPN to Paramedic?

In my area, having several years of experience as a critical care nurse (preferably in a large adult ICU) is more important than getting a BSN.

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one other thing that lingers on my mind is whether it is necessary to have a bsn-rn to be a flight nurse. if i can do it with an associates, i would like to go that route.

in regards to your question, "is it necessary to have a bsn to be a flight nurse," i don't have the specific answer but i would like to strongly recommend that you go for the bsn. you won't be a jump-the-gun-24-year-old forever (no offense) and a bsn is really necessary to furthering your career. try not to take shortcuts when it comes to education; it truly is the door that opens opportunities.

another area to investigate is whether or not your state offers a pre-hospital rn certification. illinois does under 210 ilcs 50:

210 ilcs 50/&chapterid=21&chaptername=health+facilities&actname=emergency+medical+services+%28ems%29+systems+act%2e

this is a question that has been explored in other postings on allnurses.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f19/rns-ambulance-illinois-150972.html

and a definition from st. anthony's out in rockford:

[color=#005195]pre-hospital registered nurse (phrn)

the pre-hospital registered nurse program provides supplemental education to licensed rns to practice within an ems system as emergency medical services personnel for pre-hospital and inter-hospital emergency care and non-emergency transports in accordance with the guidelines set forth in section 515.730 of the illinois ems act.

if your state does not have the phrn, you might consider relocating to illinois, which of course, has chicago, a place with lots of great hospitals where you can really grow as a nurse.

it is my understanding, as a former il paramedic and ems instructor, that the phrn training would plug the holes - that is teach you things like intubation and defibrillation, that nurses haven't learned. nurses, particularly bsn-rns, know far more than paramedics. if you get your bsn-rn first, then any prehospital provider training that follows will be a piece of cake.

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Specializes in SICU-MICU,Radiology,ER.

Demonsthenes,

Congratulations for earning your ACLS. However I believe that after a short time you will realize how much you do not know as opposed to how well prepared you are to deal with all emergencies. ACLS just scratches the surface in my not so humble opinion and many providers, RNs and EMT-Ps among them, have many such certifications. I also cant help but think that LPNs do not possess a vast array of theoretical and practical knowledge as you suggest.

Nurses, particularly BSN-RNs, know far more than paramedics. If you get your BSN-RN first, then any prehospital provider training that follows will be a piece of cake.

I have to chuckle at this statement as I have yet to meet the BSN that knows particularly more then me with my puny ADN.

To the OP, whichever route you decide to take I highly recommend earning your RN as it will provide you with the many opportunities the LPN or EMT-P alone cannot including outside the nursing profession. If you decide on the ADN route as I did, you can attend an RN to BSN program later.

I understand your desire to earn an EMT-P for personal reasons (shamefully certainly not pay). I would like to use it to volunteer in the community if anything.

If you are serious about EMT-P I would suggest earning your EMT-B as is required anyway, then go from there-

Best to you

11

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

Sorry to invade your space guys :nurse: . I am a paramedic now and am about to finish up my RN in May 07. If I had to do it over again I would have gotten my RN first and then my medic. The reason being is that nursing obvioulsy pays a lot more and also there is a lot of babysitting in nursing school and I find it very frustrating that I have to be watched flushing an IV in clinical when I give IV push drugs on a regular bassis at work on my own. Although the bonus to doing the medic thing first is you have down time to study for nursing school where as if you are a nurse there is very little down time to catch up on studying etc.

Swtooth

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