I have read all the posts regarding EMT-P to RN bridges, etc. As a background, I am a flight nurse with 16 yrs as an RN, 13 of that as a flight nurse, as well as being an EMT-P for the past 6 years.
I personally am in favor of an RN to EMT-P bridge program, if the experience of riding a truck is utilized for RN's with no prehospital experience.
By the same token, I am (one of the few), RN's in favor of an EMT-P to RN bridge, with some exceptions. I feel that a paramedic should be given credit for what he/she has already learned in a class room situation, however, they should have to do some clinical, as the roles of a paramedic and nurse are not always in tune with each other.
In my state (Texas), from what I have been hearing, it very shortly may come to pass that if an RN wants to become a paramedic, they will have to take the course, instead of just challenging the tests. I think this is all from the fact that nurses want the right to challenge the tests and become EMT-P's, but the nursing orqanization does not want to extend the same to paramedics, so they can obtain credit for course work they have already done. If I am wrong, or have mispoken, please correct me, so that we all can learn from it. It's been my observation over the years that, in regards to the RN to EMT-P bridge, nurses are their own worst enemy.
Just thought I would throw in my two cents worth. I'm sure I have ruffled more than a few feathers, but that's OK, it'll stimulate conversation. I just hope that we don't forget what we are all here about, our patients.
