EMT vs Paramedic: What Is The Difference?

This article is going to indicate the difference between EMT vs Paramedic, what these careers entail and how they differ from one another. Follow this now!

Updated at March 13, 2023

An EMT or paramedic career may be the best fit for you if you’re interested in a profession that involves saving lives. What these jobs entail and how they differ from one another will be explained in this blog post. We will also discuss the certification requirements so that you can begin your path to this fulfilling career.

The level of education and patient care are the two main differences when it comes to EMT vs Paramedic. An EMT cannot give the same degree of treatment for patients as a paramedic, who often has greater training.

What are they?

EMTs are also known as Emergency Medical Technicians, they are the person who will be providing pre-hospital care and who are typically the first person on the scene.

Paramedics, also known as Emergency Medical Technicians with Advanced Life Support training, have more advanced skills than an EMT, such as suturing wounds and administering IV drugs. They can provide both basic and advanced life support services for patients in emergency situations.

Where do they work?

Some places where EMTs can often work are ambulance services, governments, hospitals, fire departments, and hospital departments. In these places, a medical director or physician supervises their work and they have a limited scope of practice.

On the other hand, Paramedics most commonly are employed by emergency medical services (EMS). There, they can work with EMTs, but the number of Paramedics is often larger than EMTs. Besides, Paramedics can also work for air ambulances and fire services.

Maybe you care about the salary of an EMT.

emt vs paramedic

The difference in typical responsibilities between EMT vs Paramedic

As the first responders to an emergency situation, EMTs have some duties such as responding to 911 calls for emergency medical technicians, assessing patients, helping them stabilize, and treating them on the way to hospitals or between facilities. Some of the treatments they can do within their scope of practice are using a backboard and restrains to keep the patients still and safe in the ambulance during transport, providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bandaging wounds, and controlling external bleeding, preventing shock and further injury in patients. They also must maintain patient records, and inform the hospital about the injury or illness, the number of patients being transported, and the expected time of arrival.

In addition to some EMTs’ basic duties, Paramedics can take more advanced practices. For instance, they might provide additional treatment to the patient during transport, such as intravenous (IV) medications or fluid replacement. They can also use more advanced equipment in order to treat patients who have been injured severely enough that they need surgery and are transported by helicopter.

Education and experience requirements

If you want to become an EMT, having a high school diploma or GED is sufficient. You do not need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. However, completing an EMT training program that is offered by community colleges and vocational schools is a must. Such programs often are completed in 150 hours. In addition, to become a successful EMT, students must also pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) cognitive exam.

The highest level of EMTs is Paramedics which is why becoming a Paramedic requires more education than becoming an EMT. Students must finish basic and advanced EMT training courses and additional studies. Generally, they also have to work as EMTs for one to two years to gain experience. Students must also take EMT courses at a college or university. These programs typically last between two and four years. That depends on the school’s curriculum, which ranges from 100 to 200-course hours. Paramedics are required to be certified by the National Board for Certification of Emergency Medical Technicians (NBCET).

You can get more about NREMT Skills Sheets in our blog.

Certification and license

Obtaining CPR certification is a must for anyone who wants to become an EMT because only a person who possesses CPR certification can enroll in an EMT training program. Many organizations provide students with that certification such as the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. Another certification students must take to become an EMT is the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification. NREMT certification is the guarantee of a student’s competence and almost every state requires it for becoming a licensed emergency medical technician. The EMT must be at least 18 years old and should have a valid driver’s license to receive an NREMT license.

In order to become a Paramedic, you are required to obtain all the licenses as an EMT. In addition, Paramedics must pass the NBCET Exam and also be licensed by their state. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) administers this exam which is a two-part assessment that consists of an essay test and a computerized practical examination where students are required to perform skills such as cardiac monitoring, and intravenous fluid administration, and airway management.

How do you become an EMT?

Steps for Becoming an EMT:

  • 18 years old or older with a valid driver’s license.
  • Complete your basic educational requirements – a high school diploma or GED.
  • Gain CPR certification from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
  • Take the NREMT exam and get your certification once you pass it.
  • You can take boot camp to become certified but this is not mandatory in most states. This usually takes about three weeks).

To get more information about the way to become an EMT, you can try to visit our blog.

How do you become a paramedic?

You have to meet the following requirements:

  • 18 years old or older with a valid driver’s license.
  • Complete your basic educational requirements – a high school diploma or GED.
  • Gain CPR certification from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association if you want to work as an EMT and not be limited to just paramedics (this usually takes about three weeks).
  • Take the NREMT exam and get your certification once you pass it.
  • Get a job as an EMT for at least two years. This will give you more experience in emergency medical situations.
  • Complete paramedic school (this usually takes about six months).

Visit our blog if you are interested in how to become a paramedic. 

In short, a paramedic has greater training than an EMT, which is the main distinction between the two professions. A paramedic administers basic life support (BLS), along with advanced cardiac care, including giving patients medicines and conducting endotracheal intubation (EIT).

We advise using our free EMT practice test if you plan to take the EMT-B exam. You may prepare for your upcoming exam to the fullest extent possible with the help of thousands of free EMT practice questions and our innovative gamified learning approach. Take it!

The Comprehensive HESI Biology Study Guide In 2025

Are you gearing up to take the hesi biology test? We'll go into detail about what the Biology exam entails and some tips to study for it.

Updated at March 13, 2023

Are you prepared for the HESI A2 Biology exam? If so, you should read this blog article! We’ll go into detail about the Hesi biology test’s requirements, how to prepare for them, followed by some useful tips.

HESI A2 Biology Review

There are 30 questions on the exam and we recommend that the time limit for the Biology test is 25 minutes. Most schools will, but there is a possibility that your school may establish a different time limit, so before exam day, be sure to check it. All information that you need is on the nursing school’s website.

What’s on the HESI A2 Biology Test?

hesi biology

To do well on the Biology section of the HESI exam, There are some main concepts that need to know:

Classification of Organisms

Living things are classified by a system developed by Carl Linnaeus. Organisms are often named by the binomial system of genus and species. 

The classification of species allows the subdivision of living organisms into smaller and more specialized groups.

Kingdoms

The first division of living things in the classification system is to put them into one of five kingdoms. They are: 

  • animals (all multicellular animals)
  • plants (all green plants)
  • fungi (molds, mushrooms, yeast)
  • protists (Amoeba, Chlorella, and Plasmodium)
  • prokaryotes (bacteria, blue-green algae)

Further divisions

We can rank the living things according to:

  • phylum
  • class
  • order
  • family
  • genus
  • species

The kingdom is broken into Phylum that has many different organisms. For examples:

  • Chordata, which have backbones
  • Arthropod, which has jointed legs and an exoskeleton
  • Annelids, which are segmented worms

The class follows Phylum. For example, class results in the Chordata phylum being divided into:

  • Mammals
  • Birds
  • Amphibians
  • Fish
  • Reptiles

The order follows class and as an example, mammals can be further subdivided into a variety of different groups such as:

  • Carnivores
  • Primates

The Family follows the order. Here are some examples of which carnivores can be split into:

  • Canidae – dogs
  • Felidae – cats

Genus, the Felidae family can be further divided into 4 genus examples:

  • Acinonyx – cheetah
  • Panthera – lion and tiger
  • Neofelis – clouded leopard
  • Felis – domestic cats

Species is the final classification stage. The genus Panthera includes:

  • Panthera leo (lion)
  • Panthera tigris (tiger)

As an example, the complete breakdown of the classification of lions:

  • kingdom – animal
  • phylum – vertebrate
  • class – mammal
  • order – carnivorous
  • family – cat
  • genus – big cat
  • species – lion

Read more >> HESI Critical Thinking Exam: What You Need To Know

The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method is a method of devising and performing experiments that yield meaningful results. It includes a procedural approach to collecting information about the physical world that starts with a formulated question and ends with the rejection of a hypothesis and the reevaluation of the experiment.

We can summarize The Scientific Method as the following:

Question – A curiosity about a phenomenon increases and, in response, a question is formulated. Early thinkers looked at the sky and wondered why it was blue or looked at the grass and wondered why it was green.

Research – After formulating a question, a scientist looks for any relevant research or data already discovered and provided for the phenomenon in question. This is useful in giving some direction in how to build or approach the question.

Hypothesis – The scientist then created a hypothesis, or an educated guess, as to what could be causing the phenomenon. This step is useful in narrowing down the possible options or experimentation.

Experiment – Using available measuring tools and technology, to provide valuable data for the scientist to investigate, an experiment is designed.

Evaluation – The data will then be analyzed and assessed for its validity. Do the observations made support the hypothesis, or do they support a different hypothesis?

Conclusion – In the end, the scientist will determine if the hypothesis is confirmed, in which case other scientists will then recreate the same experiment to identify that the results hold true at a different time or place not using the different methods. The scientist may select to change some of the experimental methods or devise a new hypothesis if the hypothesis is not confirmed.

In summary, the Scientific Method provides a methodical method for investigating experiments, data, and drawing conclusions. It is worthwhile to see that developments in scientific research do not increase from haphazard guessing and checking, but rather through logical design and reasoning. Even a basic familiarity with the method will prove useful while making sense of scientific experiments.

Cells, Tissues, and Organs

The most fundamental unit of life is the cell. Organisms that exist as a single cell, like bacterium, are called prokaryotes and those that are multicellular, like humans, are called eukaryotes. The main difference between these two groups is that eukaryotes possess a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles while prokaryotes do not.

Starting with the knowledge of the cell, its form, and function, we can begin to make sense of how life operates, and what cellular features enable this operation. Learning the components of the cell is not a difficult task, but it can be tedious.

One great way to learn about cells is to complement lists of cellular components/features with drawings of cells – this is particularly useful for eukaryotic cells and their organelles. Accompany these drawings with the name of the cell “part” and what its function or purpose is. For instance, the nucleus houses genetic information and instructions for cellular operations; the mitochondrion helps generate ATP to provide energy for the cell… In studying the differences between plant, animal, and bacterial cells, a mini whiteboard can be a huge asset. Repeatedly diagramming the elements of the various cell types and their parts (noting similarities and differences) will cause long-term retention.

When a group of cells functions together to accomplish tasks, they are operating as tissue. Due to the differences at the cellular level, plants and animals organize into different types of tissue. Plants possess meristematic tissues, which enable them to increase in size, and permanent tissues, which enable them to maintain their form.

Animals possess connective, epithelial, muscle, and nervous tissues. As the tissues in plants, these groups serve different functions and have different forms. Connective tissues provide structure to organisms. Epithelial tissues are those found where cells line and cover organs. Muscle tissue allows animals to move, and nervous tissue enables animals to send and receive signals to its different parts.

Just as cells combine to form tissues, tissues combine to form organs. Humans possess an extensive list of organs that all serve a particular function: some help digest food to provide energy, while others help circulate air and blood. And, like tissues, organs act collaboratively to form organ systems.

The same approach of studying the cells and their functions can be applied to tissues, organs, and then organ systems. It is most important to generate your own diagrams when learning the form and function of these different systems. It is easy to believe that one has a solid grasp of these things when reading from a book or even a page of notes; however, this is much different from being able to work from the ground up in describing the composition of organisms. Condense lists of organismal features into its basic parts, and work through repeatedly processing this information with the aid of a whiteboard and note cards.

Genetics and Heredity

Heredity is the passing on of genetic traits from one generation to the next; it is the reason that children resemble parents, and why humans give birth to other humans. Genetics is the study of the principles underlying heredity.

Workable knowledge of genetics is impossible without becoming familiar with DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). This familiarity entails its composition [knowing that guanine, cytosine, adenine, and thymine (also known as GCAT) are its nucleotides, knowing how they pair, and knowing that its strands run antiparallel, among other features], as well as its function (to house and maintain the instructions for a cell’s operations).

An understanding of “the central dogma” of molecular biology, which states that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to proteins, can serve as a great outline for how gene transfer takes place. Before moving on to transcription and translation, understanding can help you be familiar with DNA replication, the details of which can be processed through learning the names and functions of the various structures and enzymes involved. Because this is a systematic procedure that incorporates many different parts, drawing and redrawing diagrams can prove worthwhile for the long-term retention of the operations.

When these operations are understood, a more general understanding of genetics can be studied. A familiarity with Gregor Mendel and his laws (Law of Dominance, Law of Segregation, and the Law of Independent Assortment) can act as a solid foundation for genetic transfer beyond the microscopic scale. This will lead one to learn about parents, first and second generations, and the expression of phenotypes as predicted with Punnett squares.

Much difficulty in studying genetics and heredity stems from the necessity of learning an exhaustive number of terms and definitions. Intelligent utilization of flashcards and diagrams can address these problems.

Mitosis and Meiosis

Mitosis and meiosis are processes by which cells reproduce. Mitosis is a form of asexual reproduction where the resulting cell is genetically identical to the parent cell, whereas meiosis results in a cell that contains only half of the chromosomes found in the parent cell. It is wise to note both the similarities and the differences when reviewing the two processes. Similar to the method used for recalling the various taxonomic classes, a mnemonic device can prove valuable in learning the stages of mitosis and meiosis.

While these two reproduction methods share essentially the same steps, it can be useful to think that because meiosis is involved in sexual reproduction, a method for diversifying life; it is more complicated than mitosis. Recalling this can help you remember which mnemonic goes with which process.

Familiarity with the cell cycle is helpful in understanding these two processes. Cells do not arbitrarily reproduce, nor do they reproduce nonstop. Instead, there are triggers and signals that must be present before a cell will begin reproduction. Mitosis can be broken down into four main stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. But there are two additional “stages” of interphase and cytokinesis. The acronym IPMATC can be useful in recalling the order in which these stages happen.

Meiosis shares the same stages, but it occurs in two ordered sequences, so there is an IPMAT 1 and an IPMAT 2. The best method for retaining the details involved in both processes is to utilize a whiteboard and diagrams, drawing and redrawing the steps until this can be done without the aid of any reference material. It may sound repetitive, but this method of learning is invaluable for gaining functional knowledge of this material.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants transform the energy in light into chemical energy that can be used to fuel life functions. A solid grasp of photosynthesis entails an understanding of what cellular structures enable the process (think chloroplasts, and other structures present in plant cells that are not in animal cells) as well as how the process happens (without carbon dioxide and water the process cannot take place).

Just as you should be familiar with the chemical equation governing cellular respiration (the energy liberating process in animal cells), you should also understand the chemical equation relating to the reactants and products of photosynthesis. Both of these processes rely upon the transfer of free electrons to generate chemical energy. And, just as animal cells carry out the Krebs cycle to generate ATP, plants carry out the Calvin cycle to generate energy. Analogs like this are very useful to recognize as they can reduce two distinct processes into a single concept and thus simplify the material to be learned.

Familiarity with the different types of photosynthesis is also useful to learn. Some types require the presence of light whereas others can be performed in the absence of light. An understanding of what biological purpose or function this serves can be helpful. Similarly to all of the other systems and processes, the usage of a whiteboard and diagrams, as well as a complementary list of the cellular features necessary, can prove invaluable when reviewing involved procedures such as photosynthesis. However, when you can already generate the information without the aid of reference materials, you can be certain that you have developed a firm comprehension of the concept.

Read more >> The Comprehensive HESI A2 Grammar Study Guide

Helpful tips for the HESI A2 biology test

Make flashcards. You can either make them yourself with the help of friends, classmates, or family members; you could buy pre-made cards from stores like Target and Walmart; or if not, use sites online such as StudyBlue to create your own deck of study cards at no cost. Flashcards serve as a great way to review important concepts.

Take practice quizzes, exams, and tests before the HESI A21 Biology exam date. This allows you to get a feel for what will be on your test so that when it comes time for the actual exam day, you’ll know what to expect. It also helps reduce anxiety as many people are more nervous about recalling information than putting it together.

Use a study planner to help you plan your time during the week and divide up work for each day so that you’re not overwhelmed. You can make this as simple or detailed as you want, but just try to map out when and how much studying will happen on any given day of the week.

Never start studying for the HESI A21 Biology exam without knowing what you’re going to do after. If that means taking a break from study, make sure you establish when and why it’s appropriate to take one before starting your work.

When studying for the exam, it’s important to work on your strengths and weaknesses. If you’re really struggling with a particular subject or concept, take notes in class so that you can spend more time drilling down into what you find difficult later.

Hesi A2 Biology Practice Test Resource

Where to get more Hesi A2 Test Resources and Materials? We are pleased to present our HESI practice website, which includes comprehensive instructions, practice tests with explanations, and quick assessments to gauge your understanding. By providing you with a solid math foundation, it can aid your exam day preparation. Try our HESI A2 practice test free today!

NREMT Skills Sheets | What You Need To Know In 2025

The NREMT Skills Sheets are a must-have for NREMT candidates to successfully pass the NREM examination. Follow this article to know more about this now!

Updated at March 13, 2023

For NREMT candidates preparing for the NREMT exam, NREMT Skills Sheets are a must. This NREMT study guide includes all of the NREMT practical tips and knowledge required to pass the NREM exam. You may also use our free EMT practice test in conjunction with these documents to ensure that you are fully prepared for your upcoming big day.

Firstly, you must pass both the cognitive exam and the psychomotor exam to qualify and get your EMS national certification. Because you must present the same information across the board, remember to contact your course instructor to walk you through the steps of scheduling your exam before taking your practical exam. The National Registry does not administer the psychomotor exam. This exam is administered by your State EMS Office, so it varies between states how and where you will test.

Secondly, you must be acknowledged that you have completed your program and had comprehensive psychomotor knowledge from your program director before you sign up for the exam for advanced levels of the practical exam, AEMT and Paramedic. In addition, you must obtain a PATT letter (Psychomotor Authorization to Test) and remember to maintain your PATT number, and bring a copy of the letter to the exam.

The following PDF documents give a comprehensive checklist of each skill presented, they are taken from the National Registry website. Please remember that “the State EMS Office or training institution may use different forms and the following performance lists are just a guide for the verification of required skills.” You can find out more information on the NREMT website.

EMR Skills Sheets

  1. Patient Assessment/Management – Trauma (Download PDF)
  2. Patient Assessment/Management – Medical (Download PDF)
  3. Oxygen Administration by Non-Rebreather Mask (Download PDF)
  4. Cardiac Arrest Management/AED (Download PDF)
  5. BVM Ventilation of an Apneic Adult Patient (Download PDF)

EMT Skills Sheets

  1. Patient Assessment/Management – Trauma (Download PDF)
  2. Patient Assessment/Management – Medical (Download PDF)
  3. Oxygen Administration by Non-Rebreather Mask (Download PDF)
  4. Spinal Immobilization (Seated Patient) (Download PDF)
  5. BVM Ventilation of an Apneic Adult Patient (Download PDF)
  6. Spinal Immobilization (Supine Patient) (Download PDF)
  7. Cardiac Arrest Management/AED (Download PDF)
  8. Bleeding Control/Shock Management (Download PDF)
  9. Joint Immobilization (Download PDF)
  10. Long Bone Immobilization (Download PDF)

Read more: How To Become An EMT In 2024?

AEMT Skills Sheets

  1. Patient Assessment – Trauma (Download PDF)
  2. Patient Assessment – Medical (Download PDF)
  3. Supraglottic Airway Device (Download PDF)
  4. Pediatric Respiratory Compromise (Download PDF)
  5. Cardiac Arrest Management (Download PDF)
  6. Intravenous Therapy – Bolus (Download PDF)
  7. Pediatric Intraosseous Infusion (Download PDF)
  8. Spinal Immobilization – Supine (Download PDF)
  9. Spinal Immobilization Seated Patient (Download PDF)
  10. Long Bone Immobilization (Download PDF)
  11. Joint Immobilization (Download PDF)
  12. Bleeding Control Shock Management (Download PDF)

Paramedic

  1. Patient Assessment – Trauma (Download PDF)
  2. Dynamic Cardiology (Download PDF)
  3. Static Cardiology (Download PDF)
  4. Oral Station (Download PDF)
  5. Oral Stations Template (Download PDF)
  6. Oral Station Sample Scenario (Download PDF)
  7. Integrated Out-of-Hospital Scenario (Download PDF)

Read more: How To Become A Paramedic In 2024?

Finally, we sincerely hope that these NREMT Skills Sheets make it simpler for you to achieve your desired objectives!

The Ultimate Chemistry Study Guide For HESI A2 Exam [2025]

This HESI A2 Chemistry study guide will discuss what the chemistry section covers as well as some helpful tips to pass it. Check it out!

Updated at March 13, 2023

Aiming to succeed on the HESI A2 Chemistry exam and seeking assistance with your exam preparation? This blog post on the Chemistry Study Guide is for you! We will talk about what a HESI A2 Chemistry Test entails. Afterwards, we’ll give you some study advice to make sure you ace your test!

After learning everything in this study guide, test your understanding with our free HESI A2 practice test 2024 to solidify your knowledge!

chemistry study guide

What’s on the HESI A2 Chemistry Test?

If you are thinking of applying to a nursing school, the HESI A2 Chemistry test may be coming up in the near future. Many nursing programs require all applicants to take the HESI A2 exam as part of the admissions process. The HESI A2 consists of seven major components, and schools can select which of the seven they want applicants to take. Many schools do not require applicants to take Chemistry, but many do. If you are unsure whether the school to which you are applying requires it, you should check with them.

There are 30 multiple-choice questions about chemistry though only 25 of those questions count toward your score. In most cases, you will have 25 minutes to complete the HESI Chemistry test, but schools can establish their own restrictions, so you should verify the actual allotted time with your school before taking the exam.

HESI A2 Chemistry Study Guide

Units of Measurement

While most measurements in nursing use the metric system, you may need to be able to approximate the US and/or Imperial measurements as a comparison.

Volume

Volume is usually measured in milliliters (ml) or cubic centimeters (cm3).

  • 1 ml = 0.001 liter
  • 1 ml = 1 cm3

For example: 6L = 6000 ml = 6000 cm3

For larger quantities, US gallons are used in the US, and Imperial gallons are used in the UK. Some helpful conversions are:

  • 1 Imperial gallon = ~ 1.2 US gallons
  • 1 US gallon = ~ 3.79 liters or 231 cubic inches
  • 1 Imperial gallon = ~ 4.55 liters or ~ 277.42 cubic inches
  • 1 liter = 2.11 US pints

Mass and Length

Mass is commonly measured in grams (g) or kilograms (kg), where 1 kg = 1000 g.

  • 1 kg = 2.2 pounds
  • 1 pound = 16 ounces
  • 1 stone = 14 pounds

Length is usually measured in meters (m), centimeters (cm), or millimeters (mm).

  • 1 inch = 2.54 cm
  • 1 foot = 30.5 cm
  • 1 yard = 91.44 cm
  • 1 km = 0.621 miles

States of Matter

There are four fundamental states of matter – solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. Solids are characterized by closely packed particles, held together by strong intermolecular forces to form a definite shape. Heating a solid to a temperature above its melting point transforms it into a liquid. In liquids, the intermolecular forces are weaker, meaning the particles have more freedom of movement.

By heating a liquid to a temperature higher than its boiling point, it can be turned into a gas. In a gas, the particles have enough kinetic energy to pass through the intermolecular forces and can freely move. Heating a gas to high temperatures can produce plasma. This leads to the electrons in an atom separating from the nuclei and plasma can be thought of as a cloud of free electrons and positively charged ions.

Atoms

Elements are made of atoms, and atoms are made of three types of particles – negatively charged electrons, positively charged protons, and neutral neutrons.

The protons and neutrons make up the nucleus of the atom. The nucleus has a very small diameter compared to the overall size of the atom, but it is where most of the mass is concentrated. The electrons orbit the nucleus in shells and most of the volume of the atom is taken up by the free space between the nucleus and electrons. 

An element’s nuclear symbol tells you how many electrons, protons, and neutrons make up each atom.

element’s nuclear symbol - Hesi chemistry

where,

X is the element symbol.

A is the mass number, which tells you the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

Z is the atomic number, which is the number of protons in the nucleus.

The number of protons is equal to the number of electrons for neutral atoms. The number of neutrons is A – Z. A neutral atom of lithium represented by the nuclear symbol 73Li has three protons, three electrons, and four neutrons, which is the example of the number of protons.

Ions have unequal numbers of protons and electrons. Positive ions have more protons than electrons and negative ions have more electrons than protons.

All atoms of the same element have the same number of protons. Isotopes are atoms of the same element but with different numbers of neutrons. For example, 126C and 136C are both isotopes of carbon.

Acids and Bases

Using the pH scale, we can measure the acidity or basicity of a chemical or solution. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 and a pH of 7 is neutral. A solution with a pH lower than 7 is classed as acidic and a solution with a pH higher than 7 is classed as basic.

Hydrochloric acid (HCl), which is part of the acid that is found in the stomach, is a very strong acid with a pH of 1. Water is neutral, with a pH of 7. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) has a pH of 9, making it a weak alkali. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a very strong alkali and when concentrated can have a pH of 14.

The pH scale is logarithmic with a base of 10. This means that each unit difference corresponds to a change of a factor of 10. pH 3 is 10 times more acidic than pH 4 and 1000 times more acidic than pH 6 is the example for the pH scale mentioned in the following.

Chemical Equations

Balanced equations should have the same number of each type of atom on both sides. You have to alter the number of molecules of one or more compounds on either side of the equation to balance equations. Balance the equation:

C2H6+O2 => CO2+2H2O

This is the first step is to work out the number of atoms on each side:

Left Right

C = 2 C = 1

H = 6 H = 4

O = 2 O = 3

The right side needs 1 more ion of C and 2 more ions of H, so we can add 1 more CO2 compound and 1 more H2O compound and the equation becomes:

C2H6+O2 => 2CO2+3H2O

Left Right

C = 2 C = 2

H = 6 H = 6

O = 2 O = 7

Because we have also added more atoms of O to the right, we now need five more atoms of O on the left to make 7 atoms in total. Add another 2.5 atoms of O2 to the left and the equation is balanced:

C2H6+3.5O2 => 2CO2+3H2O

Left Right

C = 2 C = 2

H = 6 H = 6

O = 7 O = 7

But chemical equations typically do not consist of fractional coefficients, so let’s multiply the entire equation by 2 to eliminate the fraction, 3.5:

2(C2H6)+7(O2) => 4(CO2)+6(H2O)

Chemical Reactions

Particles in liquids and gases are constantly moving and colliding with each other. Under the right conditions, these particles can react. To start a reaction, the particles need to have a minimum amount of kinetic energy, known as the activation energy. This is the amount of energy required to break the bonds within each particle.

The rate of a reaction increases as temperature increases because the particles will have more kinetic energy. This means that they will be moving faster and colliding more often and be more likely to have enough energy to break the activation barrier. Increasing concentration also develops the rate of reaction as this will raise the number of particle collisions.

Catalysts can also be added to raise the reaction rate. These work by lowering the activation energy. In this instance, platinum plays a role of a catalyst in the reaction that makes nitric acid from ammonia. Don’t forget that platinum does not appear in the equation. Because during a chemical reaction a catalyst is not consumed or changed.

NH3+O2 => HNO3

Oxidation and Reduction Reactions

Oxidation is the loss of electrons. Reduction is a gain of electrons. In redox (oxidation and reduction) reactions, oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously.

In the reaction:

2Na+Cl2 => 2Na+Cl

Sodium is oxidized as it loses an electron and chlorine is reduced because it gains an electron – sodium is the electron donor and chlorine is the electron acceptor.

Read more >> The Comprehensive HESI Biology Study Guide

Common mistakes students make while studying for this exam

  • Using the wrong book to study from
  • Not understanding that this is a cumulative test and not focusing on what has been taught in class recently. Pay close attention to the material your professor has gone over, as well as any notes you may have taken during lecture time
  • Not understanding the meaning of a word
  • Forgetting to write down what they just read
  • Ignoring the problems at hand and hoping one will solve itself
  • Studying the wrong material
  • Attempting to study too many topics at once and not focusing on one specific subject area or topic  – Studying the wrong material
  • Attempting to study too many topics at once and not focusing on one specific subject area or topic.

How to study for the HESI A2 Chemistry test?

  • Read your HESI A2 chemistry book  and our HESI Chemistry Formulas (or any other equivalent resource) and take notes
  • Make sure to understand examples in the text by reviewing them, asking questions about difficult concepts, and looking up definitions of words you don’t know
  • Watch YouTube videos that are related to chemistry or watch a lecture on the topic
  • Take good notes in class so that they can be your study guide for tests
  • Study with friends! Mimicking each other’s answers is an effective way to learn new material

Tips on how to succeed on the HESI A2 chemistry exam

In this chemistry study guide, we recommend you these useful tips to pass the exam:              

  • Always have a study plan and stick to it! For example, you might want to do one chapter each day for three days before your test. Make sure that there is time in between studying sessions where you rest so that you can absorb new information more effectively.
  • Take the exams in a testing environment. You might not be used to taking tests in your regular classroom, but practicing on test day is important because it may feel more like you’re taking an actual exam
  • Set up realistic expectations for what kind of grades you will get and make sure that you are reaching out to your professor if you have any questions
  • Read the instructions carefully. Be sure that you are answering multiple-choice and true/false questions correctly because they count for more points and could be harder to figure out if you get them wrong
  • Get plenty of sleep! This seems like a no brainer, but it’s easy to forget when you’re cramming the night before your test
  • Don’t let yourself get too hungry or thirsty. You need to have a clear head in order to answer questions and you’ll be more likely to choke on difficult words if you’re thinking about food!            
  • Make sure that there is enough time for everything, but don’t go overboard. You don’t want to spend too much time on any one question and get stuck there.
  • If possible, study with a group of friends or classmates. You’ll have more fun studying if you’re able to hang out and laugh while taking breaks!
  • Get your thoughts down on paper before the test so that it’s easier for you to organize them. This will make it feel more like you’re doing a study guide and less stressful overall    
  • Don’t let yourself get too high or low based on how well you did the first time through an exam or quiz! You should take breaks to refresh your mind by playing games, reading articles, listening to music, etc. 
  • Review your notes after you’ve taken a break and make sure that there are no gaps in your knowledge!     
  • If you know the answer to a question but can’t remember it, try using an acronym or mnemonic device. You may need to look things up if these devices don’t work for you. Use whatever works for you! This will help the information stick in your memory     
  • If you’re taking a break from studying, try closing out all other windows and apps so that they don’t distract you. Also, turn off notifications on your phone or computer while doing this to avoid distractions
  • Don’t get frustrated if what feels like an obvious answer to a question eludes you. You can always try another method of studying, do some research online, or ask your peers for help.

Study for the HESI chemistry test with our free HESI A2 Chemistry Practice Test

Hesi A2 Chemistry Practice Test Resource

Where to get Hesi A2 Test Resources and Materials? You should use our online HESI practice tests, HESI A2 study guide with detailed explanations, and brief evaluations to gauge your learning. By providing you with a solid math foundation, it can aid in your exam day preparation. Also, to help you gain a better understanding, hundreds of practice questions are broken down into distinct categories (exam subjects).

Now let’s practice!

What Jobs Can You Get With EMT Basic?

What jobs you can get with EMT Basic? The answer is there are plenty of jobs that EMTs qualified professionals can apply for. Follow this article to know more!

Updated at March 13, 2023

What do you want to do with your life? What are your dreams and goals for the future? What career path would make you happy and fulfilled in this world? What if I told you that there is more than one way to achieve that goal of a fulfilling job. What if I told you that it doesn’t matter what college degree or professional license you hold because an EMT certification can open up many doors for jobs! In this blog post, we will explore what types of jobs are available to those who have obtained an EMT certification.

Many people often feel depressed after doing a certain job for a long time. Then they want to seek a new job, a new environment to experience and develop themself. So are EMTs, many of them want to try their hand in another field after years of working as EMTs. However, they don’t want to give up the skills they already have as EMTs, they want to use them in a different way. And then the question arises “What Jobs Can You Get with EMT Basic?” and the answer is there are plenty of jobs that EMT qualified professionals can apply for.

The following career list is some of the best choices for them. Although these careers probably require further training and education before you can apply, they are jobs where your EMTs certification is seen as an asset, and the skills you have are extremely useful.

Maybe you want to know about the average EMT salary in every state.

What Jobs Can You Get with EMT Basic?

Firefighter

In almost all areas, firefighters now have more duties than just putting out the fire. Because there is the fact that the calls firefighters run for emergency medical services account for 65% or even more of the total calls. Therefore, it is essential for firefighters to have the skills of EMTs or Paramedics. It also means that a certified EMT with a lot of experience can easily be hired as a firefighter. Though EMTs must complete some additional training courses to well perform some other roles such as fire suppression, rescue, and fire alarms as a firefighter. Sometimes, these courses are provided in the fire academy after you get hired.

Typically, if salaried, this job pays around $23 an hour or $47,500 a year.

Industrial medic

If you want to work as Industrial Medic, you can easily get that job because an industrial medic has the same skill requirements as an EMT. You will work in massive factories where there are a lot of injuries and illnesses. The only thing you will need to have in order to work as an industrial medic is a basic EMT certification. However, you can earn more and have great career prospects if you have a Paramedic certification. Though you can still work as EMT, you only with people who work for the company. In contrast, as an industrial medic, you can work in factories or industrial areas.

Typically, if salaried, this job pays around $24 an hour or $48,000 a year.

Offshore Medic

Another job that pays higher salaries and easily seeks for it is an offshore medic. If you have a paramedic or nursing qualification, you can try this career. Though this is hard work but better compensated than most EMT work. You will work on an oil rig with often 12 hours shifts and 12 hours off and probably lasts for 3 months. Nevertheless, for every week on the rig, you can get one onshore without doing anything.

Typically, if salaried, this job pays around $33 an hour or $70,000 a year.

Emergency dispatcher

If you wonder can you work as an emergency dispatcher or not, the answer is absolute can. The duty of the emergency dispatcher is to handle 911 calls. Then allocate the resulting work to the right people to handle the current emergency. Therefore, the biggest skill an emergency dispatcher needs to have is timely information gathering. In addition, with your experiences as an EMT, you will know exactly what kind of information you need to get.

This career is available from individuals to networked communications hubs serving all services. And, if you are hired, it usually pays around $20 an hour or $41,000 a year.

Emergency room technician

If you no longer want to work as an EMT outside of the hospital, you can consider working in an emergency room (ERT). The patients will come to you when you work in an ERT instead of you have to going outside to work. This is the biggest difference between an EMT and ERT. This sort of work is also available in an emergency room in the country, and your EMT certification equivalent to an ERT certificate.

Typically, if you work as an ERT, you will be paid around $31 an hour or $64,000 a year.

Read more: How To Become An EMT In 2024?

Contract medic

Normally, companies only need to hire contract medics at some certain time of the year. It is when they have concert venues or cruise ships. However, you tend to be paid more when working as a contract medic comparing to the ordinary EMT. Though contract medic probably results in fewer periods of activity, it is necessary for you to keep finding additional contracts. These sorts of roles can be found in some specialist employment agencies.

Typically, if you are hired, you will be paid around $28 an hour or $59,000 a year.

Biological technician

If you are interested in conducting laboratory tests and collecting samples, you can apply for biological technician positions. They are highly skilled research assistants who work to develop predictive models and new forms of medical action to help others as well. With an EMT certification, you can be hired to work a biological technician position as it doesn’t have any further requirements. However, you can get better chances if you have a higher degree. Some places you can work are hospitals, universities, and other research fields.

Typically, you will be paid around $24 an hour or $50,000 a year if you do this job.

Crime lab technician

With your EMT experiences in dealing with people and working out the risks associated with certain kinds of work as well, many crime labs really want to hire you. There, your major responsibility involves employing testing methodologies to derive evidence (or the lack thereof) for the police and other law enforcement agencies. You probably just need a degree and EMT certification to work as a crime lab technician.

Typically, if salaried, you will be paid around $38 an hour or $80,000 a year.

Health information technician

With an EMT certification, you can easily take a job as a health information technician who is an administrative staff member having the main duties of organizing and analyzing patient information. The demand for EMTs to work as health information technician is always high because they are familiar with the language and medical terminology. Besides, wherever medicine is being practiced, you can easily find this job. Some places you can work are clinics, surgeries, hospitals, and so on.

If you are hired, this job usually pays around $22 an hour or $48,000 a year.

Surgical technologist

Although you need to be more qualified to become a surgical technologist, you still can do this job as it has a lot of commons with an EMT. During surgery, surgical technologists are in charge of helping the surgical team and provide basic care and administration for patients. Most of these sorts of jobs can be found in hospitals as it where surgery tends to occur.

Typically, you will be paid around $24 an hour or $50,000 a year if you are hired.

As you can see, there are a variety of jobs you can do with an EMT certification. If you want to change of scene, do it right now because there are many opportunities open up to you. Once you do it, you will realize that you don’t have to give up your available EMT skills, you will just carry them out at different locations with other people and focus.

If you are going to gain an EMT certification, let our free EMT practice test helps you easily pass the exam. 

Let’s practice now!