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Originally Posted by September22
Hey look, someone like me! I agree with Merced, slow down. I have the same plans of being a medic and ER tech in Hawaii but it'll take at least two years of careful planning and I've gotta finish medic school first, of course. I'm verrrry big on plans. I keep getting conflicting reports regarding reciprocity for nationally certified EMTs/Medics on the islands. *shrug* at least there's plenty of room for techs in the ERs on Oahu, according to the hospital sites anyway. I'm aiming for Queen's Medical since I hear excellent things about their benefits. Hopefully they'll be ready when I'm ready!
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The Queens ED is a separate entity under the private "Emergency Group," run a bit differently from the main hospital. The ED nurses and techs, however, fall under the Queens Union agreements so, should you get a position there, you'll be covered.
It's a very busy ER which can translate to crazy and fun, if that's what you like. Some really great people to work with but it tends to be a rapidly spinning revolving door there as far as personnel goes. Good learning opportunity, without a doubt.
Pali Momi is busy too, thanks to its location in a very densely populated part of the Island. Castle is a rough ED, being the only one for many miles on the Windward side. They get everything but often need to transport to QMC if the patient's needs are beyond what they can handle. QMC West will be opening soon and promises to be a very busy ED, its only competition being Waianae Comp, which is only a Critical Access ED---they tend to intubate and get ready for transport. Kahuku is a tiny little place that is also a Critical Access Hospital, about 20 beds IIRC and basically, a long term care facility. They do get a lot of action from the North Shore, however, including more than their share of near-drownings and surfing accidents. Again, stabilize and transport, but they do a good job of it. Kaiser is its own world, as is Tripler.
I occasionally do critical care transports with AMR---an ICU RN has to accompany an ICU patient during inter-hospital transports. Great people. We tend to spend the whole ride talking story, LOL. I think of them as very cute kids---love 'em. Then again, I have a pile of grandkids and anyone under the age of forty is a kid to me.
And then there are the flight nurses. I worked with quite a few of them when they were ICU nurses so it's like old home week when they show up. Not sure if they use EMT's or Paramedics---maybe just RN's? But you need to get your RN and get some good experience under your belt before you'd be able to go for that.
Hey....ever think of getting your RN, doing the ER and ICU thing, and then going for flight nurse? Seems like a majorly cool job. Very busy folks, thanks to the sad state of health care availability on the other islands. Again, another group of fabulous pros.
BTW, I think that you can, eventually, get reciprocity, but from what I understand it can be quite a back-and-forth process, with Hawaii authorities evaluating your education, suggesting "fixes," you providing those "fixes," etc. Do-able, I believe, when all is said and done, but quite the PITA. But I don't think it would be impossible. That said, it's rare, IME, to see a mainland transplant EMT or Paramedic. But I suppose perseverance would prevail, especially if you are here and already working as an ER tech.
Another aside: Nursing license reciprocity is automatic for US nursing licenses. Something to think about, maybe. Maybe not.
Best of luck with your plans!
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