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How does an RN get an opportunity to work outdoors responding to emergencies within the community ? #Spring26

I just got accepted into an RN program and I would love to be an emergency room RN and use those skills to help respond to emergencies within the community similar to how paramedics do it, whether roadside, or at sporting events, or flying down on a helicopter to air lift individuals in need, or at concerts. I am not sure if this is a possible career path for a nurse, but if it is it would bring me so much joy to pursue it. I want to use my skills to give back and to help people when they need it most.

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Mary’s Answer

As far as out-of-hospital treatment for Nurses- you may be able to find private events to volunteer at, but beyond that flight nursing is your next best bet. ER & ICU specialties help you be more qualified- but I also know of a flight nurse who wanted to work on the helicopter and went to paramedic school to allow herself to be dual certified and a shoe-in for hiring to get on the helicopter. EMS/Paramedicine is generally more in-tune with out-of-hospital medicine and will probably be the easiest way to practice outside of just a hospital environment.
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Josh’s Answer

Working as an RN does not generally provide the opportunity to work outside as most jobs will be hospital or clinic related. However, being an RN provides a broad degree of knowledge and skill and there are opportunities in niche roles that allow you to do the things you talked about. Many companies provide event coverage for sporting events, large races, etc, and they need medical providers to work at them. These places hire RN, Physicians, Paramedics, etc to fill these roles. As far as roadside is concerned: only a few routes exist. One is to become a flight nurse. After getting ICU and/or ER experience you may be eligible to apply to work as a flight Nurse. They have a modified scope of practice and work in a pre hospital or transport environment to provide care at the scene of an accident or providing transport between hospitals to receive a higher level of care. A lesser known option is that some ambulance companies will hire RN's to function as paramedics. This may require getting an EMT license, which is easy if you are already a nurse, depending on the state or company policies. This isn't common because the pay disparity between a true RN role and working on an ambulance will be steep.
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Liam’s Answer

I am not sure of the path or succession, but what you are describing sounds more like an EMT to me. To my knowledge (which is not deep) an EMT is something you can take classes for and do pretty easily, as in it is less training than a nurse. To my knowledge (because I used to work for one) an RN is more of an administrative head and will only work in more sensitive areas like a hospital, or to oversee LPNs, CNAs, and similar staff. I think (do more research to verify) that you can become an EMT and still continue on your path to becoming an RN. I think you would be able to get to work quicker as an EMT and be able to figure out what kind of nurse is more in the field. I know both EMT and RN are in demand so I think you have a winning path either way!
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