Will EMT help me get a job in ER?

EMSnut45, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 31, 2010

It may help, but to be honest, my 8 years as an EMT have not helped me get jobs. I have been able to use my time as a Officer (supervisor training, teaching, mentoring...) in the fire department to my advantage when interviewing for RN positions, but you won't have that as a brand-new EMT. I usually hear "EMT is prehospital, nursing is in hospital-- they are different."

I will say that even though my RN license has a broader scope of practice than my EMT certification, I have absolutely no plans of leaving EMS! It is an awesome experience, and I love every minute of it! In fact, I will be starting paramedic classes this summer. I say if you are interested in EMS, go for it! Just be careful to keep in mind your scopes of practice!!

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · May 31, 2010

I encourage you to get an EMT license. I did and I thought the extra learning really helped. I got work in an ER as an EMT tech and really loved the job.

If you are interested in ER you might want to get your ACLS certification as well as PALS certification.

Good luck! :)

RN1980 · May 31, 2010

i can only think of it being a positive to have a rn that is also a experienced emt in the er. however, a new rn with a freshly minted emt certificate still places you in the rookie catagory as far as some managers are concerned.

greenfaery · Jun 1, 2010

I appreciate all your responses. You all have good points. RN1980, I suppose you are right about the lack of experience still being the main issue for me. I even thought of applying to some aid/tech jobs in the ER but I was very surprised to find that both of the big hospitals in town have zero positions open, not just in the ER but on any floor. I thought last years new grads had it bad, but it seems this year is even worse. I guess it would look better for me to have any kind of real clinical experience rather than just degrees and certificates. But that's OK, I can work from the ground up if that is what it takes!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 1, 2010

Honestly, EMT experience would probably be more helpful if you were applying for a tech job vs. an RN job. However, EMT experience might be helpful to you in general, and you might find that you really enjoy it! I've been a volunteer in the local EMS system for almost 7 years (as a paramedic), and I love it. :) In any case, good luck!!

jlr820 · Jun 1, 2010

It absolutely cannot hurt. Some on here have said that it won't help you much as an RN, but I disagree. I was a paramedic prior to becoming an RN (still maintain licensure) and it has really been beneficial to "fill in the blanks" regarding ED nursing. Emergency topics reallly were not covered in nursing school to any great degree, and I was glad to have had EMS experience when I started in the ED. True, I still had/have much to learn but I didn't have to start at square one either. So, it can only serve to help you in my opinion. If you have the time and money to do it, go for it. Explain to any future employers that you took the course to help prepare you for emergent patient care. You won't be lying, and I think most would look favorably on it.

BULLYDAWGRN, RN · Jun 2, 2010

but lets keep in mind there is a big difference in the skill and educational level of a emt-p vs emt-b. i agree with rn1980, we have a few rns that have kept up there emt/paramedic credentials and still ride often. many times their extra training and education have helped many a sick pt from taking a dirt nap in my er. but regarding the op, i think expereince is the key and right now you just lack it in both, but you will get it soon.

siegolindoRN · Jun 3, 2010

I was an EMT for 4 years and a medic for 3 years, worked all over NYC from the hood to the penthouses on park ave. The EMT cert helps ALOT. In a code situation the skills that you develop give you the best advantage over a new grad RN with no prior experience. I've been in the ED for about a year now and let me tell you, there isn't one staff member that doesn't want me as part of a code. your CPR skills will be insane, people will mistake the rhythm strip as a pt pulse, that's how good your CPR will get. As an EMT you will be taught the same assessment skills that MD's and RN's are taught, the biggest difference being the level of detail. BCLS, ACLS and PALS are all the same for every level provider. In EMS we have ABC, in nursing its ABCDEF, doctors have the rest of the alphabet :lol2: . Heres an example of how you will react without thinking in certain situations. The other day we had a 13week old in respiratory distress. I was taking report from day nurse when the med res called for help and I see her bagging the pt. I look up at the monitor and saw no sp02 reading and HR of 50bpm. I calmly pulled on a pair of gloves and gripped the baby with both hands and began CPR. i noticed the med res bvm technique was not correct, the sp02 wouldnt go above 50% so i looked at her and told her to repeat the phrase "squeeze, release, release" as she vented. Our peds ED is a 12 bed suite with a staff of 1 RN, 1 attending and 1 resident. By the time other staff members from the adult ED came the babies HR had climbed to 150bpm and sat of 100%. The baby was tubed by the anesthesia attending and placed on ventilator. The baby had pneumonia and we had to transfer out to another NICU. The parents were so grateful and couldn't believe that of all involved i was the calmest, my response to them was that I had been in EMS for 7 years prior and that those skills have helped me deal with emergencies in hospital.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 3, 2010

I don't think anyone doubts the experience will be helpful ... I was a medic for 5 years before I became an ED RN, and it was definitely helpful. However, the OP's question was about a basic cert (EMT-B) helping her to get a job in the first place. All experience is valuable, but in the current economic/employment climate, it may not make a difference. But IMO, anything on a resume that can help an applicant stand out from the pack is a good thing. :)

greenfaery · Jun 3, 2010

Way to go Siego! It sounds like that EMS experience has definately paid off :)

greenfaery · Jun 3, 2010

I just looked it up and found out that to do do the RN to Paramedic bridge program at my college you need 2+ years of RN experience. However, I have always been interested in EMS and perhaps I will do it anyway after I get more RN experience. Lunah, I like that you still volunteer for EMS! That is another reason I think it would be useful to get certified.