Hi, my name is Gary from New Orleans, LA. I am planning to take the EMT-B class this summer after my first year of college majoring in Nursing. I plain to do a bridge program from paramedic to RN in the future after being a paramedic for a while. Can anyone help me out and knowing if this is really what I should do? Is being an EMT good for me? What do you think about the job of being an EMT?
Trying to make the right choice!
- Thread starter gapierce
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reaper
Working Bum
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If you are going to college to major in Nursing, Then why would you do a bridge from medic to RN?
reaper
Working Bum
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My suggestion is do your RN first! Then if you want to be a paramedic, do that second. You will get a better education through your RN program. Some states allow Rn's to challenge the Paramedic test. So that could be an option.
alphatrauma
Forum Captain
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Agreed
You are already majoring in nursing... stay on that path. If you fail fail out of nursing, then you can try the Paramedic path (don't read anything into this guys) and possibly bridge to RN/LPN if still interested
Robby1974
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Medic to RN
I am actually planning on doing a Paramedic to RN program. I chose to get into EMS partly because I needed a way to earn a paycheck and continue my education. Having said that I don't think I will leave EMS anytime soon. EMS could certainly give an aspiring trauma nurse a lot of great information and experience but may not give you the preparation that other RN's receive in a traditional school setting. That being said, the school portion of EMS will prepare you for the initial job of being an EMS professional but may not necessarily make you a good EMT or paramedic. You learn how to be a good EMS professional through experience in the field. If your aspirations are to become an RN in an EMS (or trauma) environment then a bridge program may be a good fit. If, however, you wanted to be say a surgical, OB, or pediatric nurse then it may not be a good fit. My 2 cents anyway for better or worse
I am actually planning on doing a Paramedic to RN program. I chose to get into EMS partly because I needed a way to earn a paycheck and continue my education. Having said that I don't think I will leave EMS anytime soon. EMS could certainly give an aspiring trauma nurse a lot of great information and experience but may not give you the preparation that other RN's receive in a traditional school setting. That being said, the school portion of EMS will prepare you for the initial job of being an EMS professional but may not necessarily make you a good EMT or paramedic. You learn how to be a good EMS professional through experience in the field. If your aspirations are to become an RN in an EMS (or trauma) environment then a bridge program may be a good fit. If, however, you wanted to be say a surgical, OB, or pediatric nurse then it may not be a good fit. My 2 cents anyway for better or worse
Because being a paramedic is much cooler than being a nurse. So if you're a paramedic first, then it makes the uncoolness of being a nurse not so bad. He wants the best of both worlds. The autonomy, action, and manhood of a paramedic. The pay, degree, and opportunity that comes with being a nurse. It doesn't matter how he gets to either one. He is embarking on a path that will change his life and other lives too.
Ridryder911
EMS Guru
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As one that actually attended and then assists in teaching bridge courses, I will inform you that you are only saving the most is one semester.
If you want to be a nurse, be a nurse. I would find a much cheaper and easier way of getting into nursing school than to have an additional 10 months to a degree before entering. As most require at the least the minimum of 2 years experience as a Paramedic.
In all regards they are accepting the Paramedic the same as a LPN/LVN entry requirements. (Think your Paramedic is hot now?).
Yes, its great to have both, yes one can work as both. Now, saying that they are totally oppposite professions and methods of teaching is TOTALLY different as well. Do NOT expect the same type of instructions or learning any critical care, emergency care as it is NOT in the general curriculum of nursing.
R/r811
If you want to be a nurse, be a nurse. I would find a much cheaper and easier way of getting into nursing school than to have an additional 10 months to a degree before entering. As most require at the least the minimum of 2 years experience as a Paramedic.
In all regards they are accepting the Paramedic the same as a LPN/LVN entry requirements. (Think your Paramedic is hot now?).
Yes, its great to have both, yes one can work as both. Now, saying that they are totally oppposite professions and methods of teaching is TOTALLY different as well. Do NOT expect the same type of instructions or learning any critical care, emergency care as it is NOT in the general curriculum of nursing.
R/r811
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