Expert: Ken RN, BSN, CCRN, MICN - 10/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: First off i would like to thank you for being able to answer my question!haven't 23 still living with my parents but in the process of going back to school.I haven't fully decided if nursing is the field that i wish to go into, however i do like the fact of being able to take care of people who cannot do it themselves.Also nursing runs in the family and i would like to carry on that pattern.I looked up Nursing Practitioner and like the fact that they have the opportunity to join the Peace Corps but also I'm looking at a job as a Paramedic.What do you recommend and how do go about pursuing that career, also is there any stepping stone to making money faster so I can get myself out of my parent's house?Thank you!!!

ANSWER: Michael:

Paramedic is a worthy profession....and I work with them daily as a Critical Care Transport Nurse. However, the income is quite limited than that of a nurse. Nonetheless, Paramedic classes are a bit faster to achieve.

Now I must warn you that nursing is going through some recession problems along with the rest of the economy. Yes...there are even unemployed nurses. I have 2 EMT's that graduated in June of 2008 from nursing school. One got a job 12 months later in a nursing home, and the other still does not have a nursing job.

If you want to go for Paramedic, then find a hospital nearby that has a BLS/ALS Medic service. Start as an EMT after you do the short class and get an idea of the field. You may also get a chance to be sponsored and put thru Medic school for free while you work as an EMT. It happens all the time where I work in NJ.

However, long term I expect nursing to recover from the recession and I would recommend you go to a 2 year RN associates nursing program at the local community college. In fact, you can work as an EMT and do nursing school as well. Happens here all the time too.

You have a couple options, however, I thing becoming an EMT first is the best idea to get started in either Paramedics or Nursing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1-uMKg86Ck&feature=related

By the way the Peace Corps is a nobel idea, however, it does not pay the bills. I would do the peace corps now while your parents are supporting you. Get that out of your system and then go to school.

Good Luck!
Ken RN, CCRN


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you so much for answering my last question..its awesome that your taking your time out to coach and counsel people.im starting class soon(january) at the local college and should have my emt basic certifications in one semester only have to take ems111 and ems120 only thing is for my ems 111 theres a prerequisite:CPR certification at the Health Care Provider level.how do i go about obtaining this.thank you again and looking forward to your response

Answer
Michael:

Call your local hospital and ask for the Education department. Tell them you are working on becoming an EMT/Paramedic and you need to take CPR for health care providers. They should be able to register you. Unfortunately, you will have to pay them.

If you are going for EMT at the local college, they may have the CPR incorporated into one of the earlier classes before the EMS 111. I would check with them first. Remember, you are not the only student with the need for this prerequisite.

If you join your local rescue squad, they will sponsor you and pay for all of your EMT training and CPR. It costs more to do it on your own through the college.

Good Luck!
Ken RN, CCRN