Paramedic to RN Programs Online - Paramedic to BSN Degrees

Paramedic to RN Programs and Related Degrees

Changing from a paramedic or EMT to an RN can result in a significant boost in both responsibility and salary. In some cases, RNs can earn up to twice as much as paramedics. Becoming an RN generally requires at least an associate's degree in nursing plus earning licensure through the NCLEX-RN examination. Each of the schools listed below offers some kind of accredited online nursing degree program.

Paramedic to RN
EMT to BS in EMS Mgmt

The College Network -- Paramedics can earn RN licensure in as little as 18 months through this AS in nursing program (paramedic to RN) from The College Network. No campus attendance is required, and the program is structured to accommodate the busy schedules of EMT and fire service professionals. The College Network also offers an EMT to BS in EMS Management degree for emergency medical technicians looking to advance their careers into emergency medical services management.

OTHER NURSING DEGREES

RN to BSN MS in Nursing PhD in Nursing	University of Phoenix -- The University of Phoenix RN to BSN, MS in nursing, and PhD in nursing programs are offered from the country's largest online university. The RN to BSN program allows for nursing professionals to bridge to BSN, enabling future career moves into leadership and specialties. The flexible online format is perfect for working professionals.
LPN to BSN	Indiana State University -- The LPN to BSN program at Indiana State University features an online curriculum that is designed for nurses that have busy schedules. The program offers distance learning courses enabling nurses to earn their baccalaureate without requiring a full time commitment.
RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN: Administration MSN: Education	Kaplan University -- At Kaplan University, nurses have a variety of program options that have been designed to meet their needs. Whether you are transitioning from an RN to BSN, RN to MSN, or seek specialized master's programs in nurse administration and education, Kaplan has a program for you.
RN to BSN MS in Nursing MSN: Education MSN: Informatics MSN: Management	Walden University -- The BS in nursing, RN to MSN, MSN - nurse education, MSN - nurse informatics, MSN - nurse management programs at Walden University are just a selection of the numerous degree options provided to nurses that want to extend their knowledge and career options.
RN to BSN MSN: Education MSN: Management	Herzing University -- At Herzing University, the RN to BSN program was created for nurses that hold an RN license and a diploma or associate degree in nursing to enhance their knowledge and skills on nursing innovations and technologies. The MSN - nurse education prepares graduates for teaching jobs, while the nurse management MSN provides you the education to supervise nurses at all levels including hospitals and nursing homes.
RN to BSN	Liberty University -- Liberty University features an RN to BSN program designed for registered nurses seeking to obtain their Bachelors of Science degree. The program gives you the competitive edge that will enable advancement in health care fields. Graduates can be found across the healthcare spectrum.
RN to BSN	Grand Canyon University -- Grand Canyon University offers an RN to BSN degree for registered nurses seeking to obtain their Bachelors of Science degree. The university has an exceptional record of students passing the NCLEX-RN examination, and graduates are frequently recruited by health care facilities.
See all schools that offer Nursing degrees ...

Guide to Paramedic to RN Degree Programs

Making the leap from a paramedic to a RN is a big task, but it has its rewards in terms of job opportunities and pay. In some cases, a RN can command nearly twice the salary of a paramedic. While you may have an ample background in trauma and caring for patients, you still have to obtain the proper license and degree to work as a RN in your state. The healthcare industry continues to add jobs regardless of the economy’s state, ensuring a strong job outlook for those who make the transition to a RN.

There are now bridge programs that take you from being a paramedic to being a RN. This ensures you are putting your previous knowledge to use, while gaining the formal training and licensing you need to become a practicing RN. While nursing can be a very grueling career with a demanding schedule, it is often seen as a less hectic job than working as a paramedic. You will still see the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to medical emergencies, but paramedics deal with the injured on the frontlines. For nurses, you very well may be in the emergency room, but you may also be in a more calm environment, working to give patients one-on-one care that isn’t racing against the clock. A RN does deal with an emotionally and mentally exhausting career at times, but it is a welcomed change for most who have worked for years as a paramedic.

Most paramedics top out at $38,000 when working full-time and work anywhere from 45-60 hours a week. A RN starts out making $55,000 and that number can grow depending on a nursing degree in a specialized area such as working with the elderly or disabled. Because of the hectic schedule most paramedics face, you may not know how it’s feasible to attend a paramedic to RN program. Enter the paramedic to RN bridge program. This program is taken completely online, at your own, revolving around your own schedule. There’s no need to pay a babysitter or cut down your hours at work when you’re able to attend classes online. Because you already have a hefty background in the medical field, in most cases it is fairly simple to adapt to online courses and gain the knowledge you need to prepare yourself for state-mandated exams that allow you to enter the nursing field.

Working as a RN varies from working as a paramedic because you’re looking at long term patient care. A paramedic is equipped to care for a patient short term, whether it’s saving a life or helping a patient through a difficult situation. For a RN, the treatment is prolonged and involves personalized care treating a specific problem or disease. Paramedics are trained to alleviate, where a nurse is trained to cure or prolong health. A nurse’s job is also to show a patient how to aide themselves after they are out of the doctor’s office or hospital. Most paramedic to RN programs take anywhere from 18 months to 2 years to complete.

How to Transition from Paramedic to RN

First, find a program that fits your needs and schedule. Any accredited online paramedic to RN bridge program will prepare you properly for sitting for state exams. Have an open mind and remind yourself that you are learning new material, not information you already know. While being a paramedic is similar to being a RN in some ways, it also opens new territory in terms of how you look at a patient and what is within your control once you’re treating a patient. A RN must follow all protocol to ensure the safety of a patient, the nurse and the medical staff. You may not initially have the autonomy you’re accustomed to working as a paramedic. For some, the transition from paramedic to ER nurse is the easiest route to go as you are still working in a fast-paced environment and treating trauma patients.

Studying and prepping for online exams might be difficult. Time management is key. Check out online nursing messageboards to get a feel for how others are making the transition from paramedic to RN. It will help to have moral support from those who’ve made the same changes you have or are in the process of attending online courses. You will see that many nurses who were former paramedics find the most difficult thing is waiting for doctors orders or asking for a doctor’s approval on tasks. This will take some adjusting to, but remind yourself you are no longer (usually) working with life or death patients, but the long term treatment of a patient. You are also responsible for teaching that patient how to care for him or herself outside of the office or hospital.

Some paramedic programs are based at a university. If this is the case with your paramedic background, you may only have to complete nursing courses. For you, it may be wise to see a school advisor at an online college or university, as you may end up taking unnecessary courses if you enroll in a paramedic to RN bridge program.

All nurses are required to sit for the Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam (CPNE). The CPNE evaluates a nurse in the beginning stages of practice and ensures he or she is able to function in day-to-day activities be it in the OR or clinic. A portion of your nursing program must be completed (typically 21 credits) before you’re able to sit for the CPNE. You are tested in your medical knowledge, assessing a patient’s possible illness, communicating your professional message to patients and their families, communicating with other medical staff and problem solving skills. Once you have qualified to sit for the exam, you can obtain formal study materials to prepare yourself for the CPNE. Blogs and messageboards also provide fantastic resources for you to quiz yourself and prep for the exam.

One thing to watch out for when choosing a paramedic to RN program is to make sure the program is accredited and requires clinicals. Some states do not want to license a RN who has not completed clinicals, regardless of their degree or certification. This will pose a problem once your program is completed and you sit for the CPNE. Check the laws in your state and what the standard route is for becoming a RN to ensure your plan will put you in the same place once you’ve completed a program.