Nursing vs Paramedical

The healthcare industry is ever-changing and complex, with many professionals working together to care for patients. Nursing and paramedical are two crucial pillars of this field. Both are important but have distinct responsibilities, educational courses, and career paths.

As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of registered nurses will likely grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031 (Source), and the employment rate of EMTs and paramedics by 7% (Source) in the same time frame. This reveals the potential growth for both professions.

This blog will discuss the comparison between nursing and paramedical professionals. This will give you a general idea of nursing vs paramedical so you can choose the one that suits you best.

Nursing: The Backbone of Healthcare

Nurses are crucial to the healthcare system. They help doctors, surgeons, and other healthcare workers treat a wide range of health problems in patients.

Nurses must give medicines, check vital signs, care for patients, and help them with basic hygiene. They work in various settings, like schools, hospitals, and clinics, and they can also practice privately.

Key Responsibilities of Nurses

The day-to-day responsibilities of nurses are listed below:

• Monitoring the health care needs of patients
• Giving medicine and treatments
• Teaching patients and their families about health and wellness
• Emotional support and advocacy
• Working with other healthcare providers
• Writing down medical information and symptoms
• Setting up medical equipment

Types of Nurses

There are different types of nurses. You can choose the kind of nurse you want to be based on your career objectives and qualifications. Some of them are listed below:

• Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are entry-level nurses directly supervised by a registered nurse (RN) or physician. To become an LPN, you must complete an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and pass the NCLEX-PN exam.
• Registered nurses (RNs) are more experienced than LPNs. They can perform diagnostic tests, develop patient treatment programs, and assist with medical or surgical treatments. Some registered nurses also serve in supervisory positions. To become an RN, you must first earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and then pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
• Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are registered nurses who have received advanced training in one of four specialized areas: certified nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or nurse practitioner. From a doctor's perspective, APRNs can treat patients and write prescriptions without direct oversight.

Paramedics: The first responders during emergencies

Paramedics are experienced healthcare providers who work in emergency settings to provide urgent medical care. They commonly work in ambulances, helicopters, or other mobile units, responding to accidents, injuries, and sudden illnesses.

Key Responsibilities of Paramedics

The responsibilities of paramedic professionals include the following:

• Assessing and stabilizing patients with the main goal being how fast they can get the patient to the emergency department (ED)
• Providing life-saving treatments like CPR, oxygen treatment, or medication
• Transporting patients safely to hospitals
• Maintaining care and surveillance during patient transportation
• Documenting treatments, observations, and other health concerns for the medical facility's personnel.
• Sanitizing medical equipment and the ambulance after usage and restocking medical supplies

Types of paramedics

There are different types of paramedics. You can choose a path based on your interests and long-term career goals. A few of them are listed below:

• EMT paramedic - A group of EMTs or paramedics works in an ambulance. When they are on duty, they must be ready to go to the site of an accident right away. Medical situations can happen anywhere. EMT paramedics need to be prepared to quickly sort patients into groups and give them care to keep them stable.
• Firefighter Paramedics - They work with firefighter units and are qualified EMTs and firefighters. Firefighter paramedics attend to the same scenes firefighters are called to help with, such as house fires and car accidents.
• Flight paramedic - As the term implies, a flight paramedic is a member of an EMT flight crew. Patients who are gravely injured and require immediate life-saving treatment are frequently airlifted to trauma centers rather than conveyed by ambulance. Flight paramedics are also necessary for transferring patients experiencing medical emergencies in remote areas such as mountains or deserts.

Nursing versus Paramedical Careers: Academic Requirements

The educational requirements for nursing vs paramedical careers are different. Below is a complete guide to the courses required for both fields. From here, you can understand the differences in nursing and paramedical courses and choose which best suits you.

• Nursing: To become a registered nurse (RN), you need a bachelor of science or an associate degree in nursing (ADN). These courses provide complete training and clinical skills required for patient care.
• Paramedical: To become a paramedic, one must complete an approved college program in paramedicine, which takes 1 to 2 years. This is the first step students can take towards becoming a certified advanced care or primary care flight and ground ambulance attendant. These programs focus on emergency medicine, trauma patient care, and advanced life support techniques.

Nursing vs paramedical salary

Both nursing and paramedic careers offer great career opportunities. However, their salary ranges depend on an individual’s experience and specialization. Generally, nurses tend to earn more than paramedics.

• The salary of a registered nurse ranges from INR 8 LPA to INR 14.4 LPA, with an average annual salary of INR 4.2 LPA (Source).

• The salary of a paramedic ranges between INR 3 LPA to INR 6.8 LPA, with an average annual salary of INR 3.2 LPA (Source).

Key differences in Nursing and Paramedical courses

Nursing

• Nurses have a broader scope of practice than paramedics. They offer diverse services, including health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic condition management.
• They collaborate with a team of doctors, surgeons, and therapists and play a significant role in creating and implementing treatment plans.

Paramedics

• Paramedics mostly handle medical crises. They specialize in patient stabilization, life-saving procedures, and transport to hospitals.
• Paramedics function autonomously. But they also interact with hospital professionals when patients arrive.

Conclusion

Now that you know the comparison between nursing and paramedical, choosing which one is right for you will be easier. Both fields offer unique challenges and diverse career opportunities in healthcare. At the same time, both professions are fulfilling because nurses and paramedics impact countless lives.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, consider exploring the programs offered by the ITM Institute of Health Science. If nursing interests you, check out the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a four-year UG program that offers comprehensive training, industry exposure, and placement assistance. Visit itm.edu to learn more about the courses.

Frequently asked questions

1) Is Nursing a good career?

Yes, there are many job opportunities in nursing, making it a great career choice. Nursing is now a very hands-on and scientifically backed profession that needs thorough training and a constant commitment to both professional and personal growth.

2) What is the educational requirement for paramedics?

Pursuing paramedical courses requires completing 10+2 or an equivalent level in the science stream with a minimum of 50 to 55% in physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics.

3) Is nursing a paramedical course?

No, nursing is not a paramedical course. Nursing focuses on patient care, while paramedical courses train professionals like paramedics who provide emergency medical services.

4) What is the salary of a paramedic?

The salary of a paramedic ranges between INR 3 LPA to INR 6.8 LPA, with an average annual salary of INR 3.2 LPA (Source).