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Thanks for the replies everybody! Scuba, it appears you are calling me out? I hoped this question would come up. Unfortunately, it appears that I'm a hypocrite. I completed a bridge programme. Allow me to explain. I was approached by my boss (EMS programme director) about doing a bridge transition. She made several points that revolved around my past experience as a transport nurse and EMT in addition to pointing out that I've taught every paramedic course and had been a clinical preceptor. These points certainly carry weight, but what made the change was that there exists scant evidence about the best way for a RN in my position to make the transition. My objections were based on pride and conformational bias. I did something very difficult, I changed my mind. I had significant input into the bridge and good support from my boss and our programme medical director. A programme was developed that included didactic, lab and clinical components. In addition, I had to take every block exam that the paramedic students have to take, but entirely new exams were developed so I had no idea what to expect. A hospital clinical rotation was required and I rode for many shifts with a paramedic service that runs dual medic crews where I took the place of one of the paramedics. The experience included about 400 hours of classroom and clinical experience. I am still not sure of the optimal programme length or duration, but I hope most people will find what I completed to be robust, fair and adequate.

First off, let me just say that I'm not a paramedic (hence the username) so I might have a different perspective from you guys. I am however, hard of hearing in both ears (severe to profound), but I am COMPLETELY oral and with the help of my cochlear implant (will be getting another one soon! ) I can hear very well, almost close to what you can hear. My point is, being hard of hearing doesn't necessarily mean that you're deaf. It doesn't mean you can't hear the person right next to you. The ability to hear with hearing aids/in general varies from person to person, so I would be careful about making generalizations about people who are considered hearing impaired, as many of them might have cochlear implants which help a lot. Anyways, I just wanted to throw that out there, but I completely understand how you guys might feel about having a hard of hearing partner. Also, about the hearing breathing sounds, etc, there are stethoscopes for people with hearing losses that work REALLY well from what I've heard. You simply piug them into your hearing aid/cochlear implant and viola http://www.medicalsupplydepot.com/Diagnostic-Products/Stethoscopes/Littmann-3200-Bluetooth-Electronic-Stethoscope.html?utm_source=googlemerchant&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=datafeed&utm_content=10673&zmam=43382607&zmas=1&zmac=28&zmap=10673&gclid=CMzkvPW707cCFRCe4Aod3ksAFg But now I'm wondering...should I be discouraged about becoming an EMT?

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely. But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory! I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory! Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking. -- Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Being Canadian and a loyal subject of her Majesty the Queen, I just gotta fill in all the blanks you left in that great speech. Well, some at least, that peroration has gotta be one of the best.

I'm not sure. It shows up for me. Ill do another image on this post. I just finished a paramedic course and took national registry last week.

I think the young lady running the test site felt sorry for this old guy that could have been her grandfather. It was a state gas piping licensing exam and she thought i must have needed it to eat. She did get all red faced when I offered to take it au natural. probably never seen an old naked guy. But then again maybe she has