I know. I just really don't know if I want to do bedside nursing for 5 years to be a flight nurse. I guess I could potentially do gen Ed at the cc and apply to the ADN program but they usually require CNA experience which is asinine.
It just depends on what you want to do, man. If you really want to fly and you really don't want to put the time into nursing school and the ICU, then just do it as a paramedic.
The nice thing about doing it as a nurse though, is that 1) you'll know more what's going on with your sick patients - no disrespect meant to paramedics, but it's just true. 2) you'll have more job opportunities 3) you'll make more money, and 4) when you get sick of climbing into helicopters at 3am, just slide on into NP or CRNA school. That's basically what I did.
As far as the 5 year thing......it really depends on the flight program. It's more like 3 at most places, and some will even cut that down a little for your experience as a paramedic.
It's also worth mentioning that many people really like ICU work. I didn't care for it much personally, but I didn't hate it, either. I learned a ton.
From what I've read about CRNA school I could start applying with a year of ICU experience. Would Medic/CCP/Flight medic experience help at all on top of nursing experience or not really?
Depends on the program. Some do, some don't. Mine counted my flight experience. Some put a premium on ICU experience (time, acuity, patient complexity - CVRU vs. MICU), and some don't care much about your ICU experience as long as you have that magic 1 year, and instead put a premium on your academics. It just depends on which of the 120 programs you apply to.
If I do end up as a midlevel I want a specialty. I don't want to do ER or Urgent Care or Family Practice. I know I'd get bored really quickly. Doesn't seem like ICUs use midlevels, maybe ortho but I feel like that would be boring too unless you were assisting in surgery.
There are LOTS of good jobs for NP's and PA's right now, and it's only going to get better. Here in Charlotte they are used heavily, even in the ICU's and OR. I also wouldn't discount the primary care areas, though.....they might not be as boring as you think.
Here's the thing, brother: You are really young still. You can do anything you want. Flying, MD, PA, NP, AA, CRNA, Firefighter, manager.....the world is your oyster. BUT....blink a few times and you'll be 40.....
