Dilemma - Nursing School or Medic?

[Marinelayer]

Is there anyone here who wanted to be a nurse and then found themselves more interested in becoming a medic? For me, that's my current dilemma, and would certainly benefit from the advice of others who have had to make similar decisions.

 

[Veneficus]

Is there anyone here who wanted to be a nurse and then found themselves more interested in becoming a medic? For me, that's my current dilemma, and would certainly benefit from the advice of others who have had to make similar decisions.

Revisit this dilemma after you finish nursing school.

 

[Medic Tim]

I did 2.5 years of nursing before switching to Medic.I did well but I much prefer the Medic side of things. That being said up here in canada, wages for medics are in the mid 20s to early 30s starting out.

 

[Marinelayer]

So maybe it's better to become a nurse first, and then medic later on through a bridge program?

 

[Martyn]

With me I am a failed student nurse and way back then failed student nurses went on the bumbulance...lol

 

[Aidey]

I know a few people who are both. All of them prefer being paramedics. I know one works full time as an RN because of the wage difference, and another works full time in a NICU. She hopes to become a flight nurse on the pediatric team, and that is the best way.

 

[JCyrus]

My brother was a paramedic student who decided he'd rather go into nursing. He's been working in ER primarily ever since, and is now clinical head rn of the ER at a Level 1 trauma center. Last year though, he took a class to become licensed as a Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse (PHRN) which is an EMS certification in PA allowing nurses to give pre-hospital care at a level slightly above paramedic, and now he picks up shifts on a volunteer service periodically. So, in all reality, he's literally come full circle.

 

[epipusher]

I have two friends, one my former partner, that now work as nurses and have regretted leaving full-time as medic ever since. My partner is pushing 6 months an an er nurse, my other friend is about a year as an er nurse.

 

[terrible one]

If you plan to stay in SoCal I'd go the RN route. Very limited career medics in SoCal unless you're a firefighter.

 

[we talking bout practice]

Did some nursing but the paramedic Job is much more desirable to me. I like not having to get a note before i do something, and the general freedom ems gives you. However Nursing has more room for movement and just works better for some people.

 

[Missedcue]

I've been thinking about the same situation. I've been talking to a lot of nurses and medics and in general the medics seem happier and like their jobs more. In Seattle being a paramedic does put you into the golden handcuffs, it's a great job but there's not much room for advancement. My biggest concern is that I don't want to be stuck inside for 12 hours a day. I've come to the conclusion that I'm in love with field work.

If you can, take a volunteer job in a hospital or become a part-timt MA and really see if you'd like hospital work. Take a ride-along with a medic, and above all, ask questions of everyone around you.

Good luck with the choice.

 

[Pneumothorax]

All depends on your primary goals and purposes. Some people love nursing some people hate it. It has lots of room for advancement( $ wise & professionally)

Medic- wonderful job also. Some love it some hate it.

Don't base your life decision on what u want to do with urself on others personal feelings ya know?