Paramedic Science or Nursing?
Hi, I'm looking for some advice.
I am currently a second year student nurse (nearly third year). So far I have HATED working on the wards, but other places I've been seem to interest me such as district nursing, A&E, doctors surgeries, walk in centres and other urgent care departments. I have even been out with paramedics and loved it. SO my question is should I of been doing paramedic science?!?!
The thought of having to work on a surgical or medical ward, even for a little bit makes me want to quit and leave and never look back. I also hear lots of other student nurses saying how much they love it but I just don't feel this way, not when I'm doing ward work anyway.
When I decided to do nursing my aim was for it to lead to nurse practitioner or ECP (and being able to prescribe (fully)) as well as doing a MSc (I still want a masters). My main interest lies within anatomy and physiology as well as looking at drugs, I am so interested in medicines and the pharmacology linked to them. I feel like paramedics do a lot more anatomy and physiology and I like the idea of being a first point of call and working in a non stop environment with emergency care situations as I feel that although ward work is busy and non stop, it's really not my thing and I don't find it very stimulating, I like the idea of having to think in certain situations of what is needed etc, not doing the same thing day in and day out. No offence to ward workers as I know the shifts are long, the work is hard and people who work there do such amazing jobs but I feel like I wouldn't because its obvious I don't enjoy it.
Help, please, much appreciated and none of this is meant to seem obnoxious or mean, I just find it difficult to express what I mean when it comes to nursing.
I am currently a second year student nurse (nearly third year). So far I have HATED working on the wards, but other places I've been seem to interest me such as district nursing, A&E, doctors surgeries, walk in centres and other urgent care departments. I have even been out with paramedics and loved it. SO my question is should I of been doing paramedic science?!?!
The thought of having to work on a surgical or medical ward, even for a little bit makes me want to quit and leave and never look back. I also hear lots of other student nurses saying how much they love it but I just don't feel this way, not when I'm doing ward work anyway.
When I decided to do nursing my aim was for it to lead to nurse practitioner or ECP (and being able to prescribe (fully)) as well as doing a MSc (I still want a masters). My main interest lies within anatomy and physiology as well as looking at drugs, I am so interested in medicines and the pharmacology linked to them. I feel like paramedics do a lot more anatomy and physiology and I like the idea of being a first point of call and working in a non stop environment with emergency care situations as I feel that although ward work is busy and non stop, it's really not my thing and I don't find it very stimulating, I like the idea of having to think in certain situations of what is needed etc, not doing the same thing day in and day out. No offence to ward workers as I know the shifts are long, the work is hard and people who work there do such amazing jobs but I feel like I wouldn't because its obvious I don't enjoy it.
Help, please, much appreciated and none of this is meant to seem obnoxious or mean, I just find it difficult to express what I mean when it comes to nursing.
Hi there's an a qualified nurse for three years now and am exactly the same! Iv been working at a specialist eye clinic and doing theatre I could not take any wards as a student and still can't! I was lucky enough to do A&E as my big elective ! Lol I know how you feel and am also looking at paramedic science or this new physician associate course which is post grad. Been looking at medical sicences too! Paramedic seems to be the one as you are using more doctor skills and the body much more and you can do so much with it now and even work in police custody. There's new roles to become involved in forensic stuff with unexpected deaths attending with the doctor so I'd say yes go into paramedic have a research into it : )
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Just to add you may aswell finish off your nursing now as ambulance service loves taking on nurses!
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Original post by angelseyes
Just to add you may aswell finish off your nursing now as ambulance service loves taking on nurses!
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Hi, thanks for your reply, so you think I should continue with nursing but then do maybe a masters in something such as clinical or medical science? and oh can the ambulance service take on nurses?! thats cool. Can I ask do you enjoy being nurse?
Original post by Mango65
Hi, thanks for your reply, so you think I should continue with nursing but then do maybe a masters in something such as clinical or medical science? and oh can the ambulance service take on nurses?! thats cool. Can I ask do you enjoy being nurse?
Hi there no i mean do a paramedica degree after your nursing. They seem to like taking on nurses at universities for a paramedic degree ! due to their knowledge. I enjoy it but i do wish i had done paramedic science.
Original post by angelseyes
Hi there no i mean do a paramedica degree after your nursing. They seem to like taking on nurses at universities for a paramedic degree ! due to their knowledge. I enjoy it but i do wish i had done paramedic science.
okay thank you. Is there a bridging course from Nurse to Paramedic or do you have to do it all as if you were an undergrad?
Thanks
No you have to do an undergrad but if you secure a job as ambulance care assistant emergency care assistant then you can train with them still. They did stop that but it's starting to come back
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Original post by angelseyes
No you have to do an undergrad but if you secure a job as ambulance care assistant emergency care assistant then you can train with them still. They did stop that but it's starting to come back
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okay thank you for your help
its weird you have to start from the beginning, you'd think they'd allow some sort of transfer if you were a qualified nurse.
Original post by Mango65
okay thank you for your help its weird you have to start from the beginning, you'd think they'd allow some sort of transfer if you were a qualified nurse.
its weird you have to start from the beginning, you'd think they'd allow some sort of transfer if you were a qualified nurse.Don't rely on getting a job as an emergency care assistant and then working your way up to paramedic.
The busiest ambulance service in the world accepts 16 ECAs to the conversion course.
It's interesting reading these views. I am nearly 21 and worked for an ambulance service in a call handling role and then the police on the frontline before leaving to self teach computer science which I have absolutely hated. I am now planning to undertake an access to HE course in science and am currently trying to decide between the paramedic science and nursing.
The paramedic role does seem to be evolving with more responsibilities and opportunities for progression however this has always been a concern for me. Also I dealt with two one unders (people hit by trains) during my service in the police and it took a long time to get over them, so that also causes me concern although I can't say I'm bothered by that stuff now - whether I'd say that after dealing with things like that non-stop I don't know! I am only just beginning to do more research into nursing and already there seems to be more chances to progress and move around but maybe not.
I've signed up to be a community first responder so hopefully it'll give me a bit of an insight into the paramedic side of things. Either way I'm lucky this HE course will open up both door ways. Best of luck to all.
The paramedic role does seem to be evolving with more responsibilities and opportunities for progression however this has always been a concern for me. Also I dealt with two one unders (people hit by trains) during my service in the police and it took a long time to get over them, so that also causes me concern although I can't say I'm bothered by that stuff now - whether I'd say that after dealing with things like that non-stop I don't know! I am only just beginning to do more research into nursing and already there seems to be more chances to progress and move around but maybe not.
I've signed up to be a community first responder so hopefully it'll give me a bit of an insight into the paramedic side of things. Either way I'm lucky this HE course will open up both door ways. Best of luck to all.
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by PYDogVan
It's interesting reading these views. I am nearly 21 and worked for an ambulance service in a call handling role and then the police on the frontline before leaving to self teach computer science which I have absolutely hated. I am now planning to undertake an access to HE course in science and am currently trying to decide between the paramedic science and nursing.
The paramedic role does seem to be evolving with more responsibilities and opportunities for progression however this has always been a concern for me. Also I dealt with two one unders (people hit by trains) during my service in the police and it took a long time to get over them, so that also causes me concern although I can't say I'm bothered by that stuff now - whether I'd say that after dealing with things like that non-stop I don't know! I am only just beginning to do more research into nursing and already there seems to be more chances to progress and move around but maybe not.
I've signed up to be a community first responder so hopefully it'll give me a bit of an insight into the paramedic side of things. Either way I'm lucky this HE course will open up both door ways. Best of luck to all.
The paramedic role does seem to be evolving with more responsibilities and opportunities for progression however this has always been a concern for me. Also I dealt with two one unders (people hit by trains) during my service in the police and it took a long time to get over them, so that also causes me concern although I can't say I'm bothered by that stuff now - whether I'd say that after dealing with things like that non-stop I don't know! I am only just beginning to do more research into nursing and already there seems to be more chances to progress and move around but maybe not.
I've signed up to be a community first responder so hopefully it'll give me a bit of an insight into the paramedic side of things. Either way I'm lucky this HE course will open up both door ways. Best of luck to all.
As you should know from your call handling, it's not non-stop one unders. Major trauma of any kind is actually quite rare, although different areas have a bit more.
The most common things are probably abdominal pain, back pain, or chest pain. As a paramedic, you can go weeks without seeing anything more traumatic than a pulled muscle. You obviously will get occasional trauma, but it's nothing like Casualty makes you believe.
Original post by Juno
As you should know from your call handling, it's not non-stop one unders. Major trauma of any kind is actually quite rare, although different areas have a bit more.
The most common things are probably abdominal pain, back pain, or chest pain. As a paramedic, you can go weeks without seeing anything more traumatic than a pulled muscle. You obviously will get occasional trauma, but it's nothing like Casualty makes you believe.
The most common things are probably abdominal pain, back pain, or chest pain. As a paramedic, you can go weeks without seeing anything more traumatic than a pulled muscle. You obviously will get occasional trauma, but it's nothing like Casualty makes you believe.
The issue is I seem to be a bit of a "trauma magnet" - there wasn't a one under at the station I worked at for 2 years yet 3 weeks after I joined... yep >.< I think my team were glad to see the back of me. Should have made myself clear I wasn't saying one unders occur non-stop I just meant generally upsetting calls that happen on a reasonably regular basis that can take their toll. I remember the dreaded abdominal pain calls very clearly indeed! At this rate I'm leaning more towards nursing but still have a year to decide.
(edited 7 years ago)
I have been a nurse for a few years now and there are areas to move around alot more but it depends if you like any of these. If you enjoy emergency i would go with paramedic or if you want do Nursing but gain a job in A&E its just they like experience before you can go into that area so if you hate wards then thats the issue unless you are able to stick it for a bit lol. I do have friends in paramedic who just love it they havent said anything that they hate as yet! but they all loved Emergency only and liked those valid skills you pick up which some doctors actually do. Goodluck
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