In this episode of Heartbeat Debrief, Devin sits down with Zane Atencio, an educator and flight clinician in Texas, to talk through one of the biggest crossroads in EMS: whether to pursue nursing school. Zane shares his path from EMT to paramedic, then to RN, and explains how each step expanded his knowledge, flexibility, and career options.

They discuss the reality of working in EMS, the strength of crew culture, and how mentorship and preceptors can shape a career. Zane also breaks down the differences he’s seen between the paramedic and nursing roles, including scope, liability, education, and pay.

Key Topics

• Finding your path in EMS.
• How mentorship and preceptors can change your career direction.
• Why nursing school became an option for a flight clinician.
• Pay, scope, and mobility in EMS versus nursing.
• The adjustment from truck-based care to bedside nursing.
• Why advanced education can open more doors in healthcare.