Medic to Nurse

[dudemanguy]

I would think that what an RN does and what a Paramedic does are so different that it would be difficult to cross over from one to the other. Two very different mindsets and considerations. It seems to me a Paramedic would pick up some things that might be considered bad habits for a nurse working say a med/surge unit, and vice versa. A paramedic probably learns to focus in on information that is important for the moment, and dismiss what isnt, which in a longer term setting could get a nurse into trouble.

Obviously SOME situations a nurse would encounter in an ED would be more in line with what a paramedic does, but it's not like you go through nursing school just to be an ER nurse.

I'm not a nurse or a paramedic, but this is just a feeling I have working with both as an EMT and a CNA.

 

[jjesusfreak01]

Ga. has a bridge program for medics that is 1 yr of 1 day/week and includes clinicals. I will be doing this and you can also get your BSN.

(I do not plan on leaving EMS for a long time but I see it as an opportunity to gain more education in the field.

For the record I see very little difference in an RN and a Medic.

What school might that be in Georgia?

 

[medicRob]

I would think that what an RN does and what a Paramedic does are so different that it would be difficult to cross over from one to the other. Two very different mindsets and considerations. It seems to me a Paramedic would pick up some things that might be considered bad habits for a nurse working say a med/surge unit, and vice versa. A paramedic probably learns to focus in on information that is important for the moment, and dismiss what isnt, which in a longer term setting could get a nurse into trouble.

Obviously SOME situations a nurse would encounter in an ED would be more in line with what a paramedic does, but it's not like you go through nursing school just to be an ER nurse.

I'm not a nurse or a paramedic, but this is just a feeling I have working with both as an EMT and a CNA.

Paramedics learn a whole lot about a little. Nurses learn a little about a lot. Most of our ICU's here will not accept a Paramedic transitioned RN, nor will the flight services, and they do verify transcripts and education. You would just have to experience 4 years of nursing school to really understand where the medical centers are coming from. Paramedics are trained to treat the patient for an hour, maybe 2 at the most. Taking care of a patient for days, weeks, and months is an entirely different ball game, you have to take a lot more things into consideration such as diet, urine output, labs(CMP/BMP,BNP,Vanc Troughs and Peaks, CBC, Ptt, etc). Compare the language and content of a nursing textbook to a paramedic textbook.

 

[abckidsmom]

Paramedics learn a whole lot about a little. Nurses learn a little about a lot. Most of our ICU's here will not accept a Paramedic transitioned RN, nor will the flight services, and they do verify transcripts and education. You would just have to experience 4 years of nursing school to really understand where the medical centers are coming from. Paramedics are trained to treat the patient for an hour, maybe 2 at the most. Taking care of a patient for days, weeks, and months is an entirely different ball game, you have to take a lot more things into consideration such as diet, urine output, labs(CMP/BMP,BNP,Vanc Troughs and Peaks, CBC, Ptt, etc). Compare the language and content of a nursing textbook to a paramedic textbook.

I totally agree.

Saying that a nurse is the same as a paramedic is similar to saying that a ferry boat captain is the same as a cruise ship captain.

The scopes are so different that they just don't compare well, other than the obvious entry-level medical professional thing.

 

[8jimi8]

Physician and Paramedic are not comparable. RN and Paramedic are. All other things being equal, Paramedics and RNs are essentially the same level.


(Bring on the anger, Jimi!)

Paramedics learn a whole lot about a little. Nurses learn a little about a lot. Most of our ICU's here will not accept a Paramedic transitioned RN, nor will the flight services, and they do verify transcripts and education. You would just have to experience 4 years of nursing school to really understand where the medical centers are coming from. Paramedics are trained to treat the patient for an hour, maybe 2 at the most. Taking care of a patient for days, weeks, and months is an entirely different ball game, you have to take a lot more things into consideration such as diet, urine output, labs(CMP/BMP,BNP,Vanc Troughs and Peaks, CBC, Ptt, etc). Compare the language and content of a nursing textbook to a paramedic textbook.

I agree with both of these posts 100%.

I am also leery of any provider who wants a shortcut. If you are taking shortcuts in education, you'll take shortcuts in patient care.

Do your due diligence and take the whole education. I couldv'e been a paramedic for a year already, but i'll be starting my emt-P program in january.

 

[8jimi8]

Physician and Paramedic are not comparable. RN and Paramedic are. All other things being equal, Paramedics and RNs are essentially the same level.


(Bring on the anger, Jimi!)

Where you will find the difference is in the model of thinking at the level of education.

In an emergency, there is likely only one right answer. The questions that you see on the test may allow two right "looking" answers, with one key word with clearly indicates THE answer.

In nursing education, there are 2 right answers (and because most of these situations are not emergent) one of them is more right. Anyone who has taken both sets of education can see this difference.

while i agree that provider levels between the two fields are very comparable, it depends on the job that needs to be done - that would make me determine who i would want next to me in any given situation.

 

[FF-EMT Diver]

What school might that be in Georgia?

Lots of them to my knowledge, in my are there are 2. Darton college in Albany and ABAC college in Tifton.