Changing careers from paramedic to RN allows you to leverage your medical background and training toward a new career. Many of your paramedic skills are transferrable to a nursing career, making nursing a natural choice. If you have college experience, you can earn a BSN through an accelerated program.
As a paramedic, you’re used to saving lives. You play a critical role in people’s health journeys, helping prepare them for more advanced care. If you’re passionate about working in health care and want to see where the field can take you, transitioning from a paramedic to RN is a natural career progression that utilizes your medical and patient care background.
Harding University’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing program can play a pivotal role in your career change. If you have at least 64 college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you can earn your BSN in as few as 16 months and launch a nursing career.
Why Transition from Paramedic to RN?
A nursing career offers more autonomy, variety of care and patient interaction than you would typically experience as a paramedic.
As an RN, you can experience a variety of career specializations and growth. You can specialize by patient population and type of care, allowing you to work in the field of medicine you find the most interesting.
Explore the many career specializations available to nurses with a BSN.
You will also have many opportunities to advance your career. You can return to school and earn a Master of Science in nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice to become an advanced practice registered nurse or pursue leadership positions within a health care facility.
Nurses can also work beside or away from the bedside and in a wide range of environments. If you do not enjoy working in hospitals, you can care for patients in their own homes as a home health nurse. If you prefer to move away from patient care, you can explore positions such as a nurse educator.
Additionally, the career outlook for registered nurses is strong. Employment is projected to grow 6% between 2023 and 2033, higher than the national average for all occupations. RNs also earn competitive salaries, with a national average of $86,070.
Paramedic Skills That Translate to Nursing
Many of the skills you have acquired as a paramedic are transferable to nursing. The most obvious skills might be those gained through your medical background and training, but other skills will also come in handy as a nurse, such as:
- Ability to work under high-pressure conditions
- Administering medications
- Calming and interacting with patients
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
Leadership is one of the many skills needed to succeed in a nursing career. Explore how nursing leadership skills can build a thriving health care career.
Steps to Transition from Paramedic to Registered Nurse
To transition from paramedic to RN, you must enroll in a nursing program, earn a nursing degree and pass the NCLEX to obtain your nursing license. Once licensed, you’re able to start working as an RN. The following steps outline how to become a nurse through an ABSN program.
1. Speak to an Admissions Counselor
The first step in transitioning from paramedic to registered nurse is to speak to an admissions counselor at the nursing program of your choice. At Harding University, ABSN applicants receive comprehensive admissions support from our counselors.
After you fill out the online contact form, an admissions counselor will contact you to discuss the ABSN program, admission requirements and why the program is right for you. They will help you identify a target start date and create an academic plan.
2. Complete Prerequisites
Prerequisites are a necessary part of the admissions process because they help ensure all students enter the program with a strong educational foundation. Harding’s ABSN prerequisites include:
- Fundamentals of Chemistry or College Chemistry
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II
- Microbiology
- General Psychology
- Pathophysiology
- Lifespan Human Development
- Intro to University Writing and Research
- Nutrition
- General Sociology
- Elementary Statistics
Applicants must also complete the liberal arts program requirement. Your admissions counselor will help you identify which courses you must complete and develop an academic plan to help you finish them in time for your target start date.
3. Take the Admissions Assessment Exam
To be considered for admission, applicants must also complete the HESI Admissions Assessment Exam components. These components include anatomy and physiology, reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and math
4. Earn a BSN
Once accepted into an accelerated BSN program, it’s time to immerse yourself in nursing coursework and experiences. While every program is different, they all combine coursework with hands-on experiences. In Harding’s hybrid ABSN, students participate in three course types:
- Online Coursework: Students participate in interactive online courses housed on an elearning platform. They interact with their cohort through discussion boards, participate in simulated case studies, watch videos and complete self-assessments.
- Nursing Skills and Simulation Labs: Students apply all they have learned through their coursework to practice. They hone their nursing skills on realistic medical manikins in skills labs and work as a team during simulated clinical scenarios.
- Clinical Rotations: Students experience working in various nursing specialties in several local health care facilities, where they provide real-world patient care under the supervision and guidance of their preceptors.
Each course type helps prepare students to confidently take the licensing exam and become practice-ready RNs.
Read more to learn what to expect in an ABSN program.
5. Pass the NCLEX-RN
The final step in transitioning from paramedic to RN is passing the NCLEX. The NCLEX is a challenging exam that tests your understanding and application of nursing skills and concepts. The number and difficulty of questions are determined by your previous answers, making everyone’s NCLEX experience unique.
It’s best to start NCLEX preparation at the start of nursing school by reviewing practice questions and participating in study groups. At Harding, our ABSN incorporates NCLEX preparation into our curriculum so students can feel confident when it comes time to take the exam. Still, it is recommended to dedicate the weeks after graduation and before the exam to full-time study.
Once you pass the NCLEX, you can register with your state’s board of nursing and obtain a nursing license to start working as a registered nurse.
What are the Benefits of an Accelerated BSN Program?
An accelerated program makes it possible to earn a BSN much faster than through a traditional program. While not specifically an accelerated paramedic to RN program, Harding University’s ABSN allows career changers and college transfer students to build on their college experience and earn a BSN in as few as 16 months.
If you are already established in a career, enrolling in an ABSN program allows you to build on your existing bachelor’s degree and dive right into advanced nursing and science concepts so you can enter the job market sooner. An ABSN program is fast-paced, but it offers the same quality education as you would expect from a traditional BSN program.
Flexibility
At Harding University, our ABSN program offers an online-based hybrid curriculum that combines interactive online learning with essential hands-on, in-person experiences. This combination allows students to complete coursework when and where it’s most convenient, provided they meet deadlines, while also gaining valuable hands-on experiences through labs and clinicals.
Comprehensive Preparation
Students are challenged to apply what they have learned through their online coursework to real-world practice. They receive a values-based education that connects the Christian faith to holistic patient care and fully prepares students to become practice-ready nurses.
Learn why Harding University was named the best nursing school in Arkansas.
Accessibility
Accelerated BSN programs typically enroll more students annually than traditional programs. At Harding University, our ABSN program offers three start dates per year in January, May and August, and with no waitlist, there is greater flexibility in finding your start date.
Harding’s ABSN also offers ample support through our dedicated admissions counselors, who will guide you through each step of the admissions process. Our cohort system also allows students to build a supportive community where they can grow alongside other career changers as they transition to nursing together.
Start Your Nursing Journey Today
Harding University’s ABSN program can set you on the path toward becoming a nurse. The ABSN curriculum is designed to fully prepare students for the NCLEX and instill the confidence and skills needed to become practice-ready nurses.
Contact an admissions counselor today to learn about the next steps in your nursing education journey.