For paramedics looking to expand the scope of their careers, many find that becoming a registered nurse is an excellent progression. With paramedic to RN bridge programs popping up all over the country, current paramedics can build upon their skills and knowledge with an accelerated curriculum designed specifically for them. Registered nursing offers more money, a wider array of job opportunities, and the option of a more regular work schedule, which can appeal to paramedics looking for a change of pace.

2020 - Best Paramedic to RN Programs For paramedics who wish to advance their careers by earning a nursing degree, specialized pathways exist to help achieve this goal efficiently. Paramedic to RN programs are popping up all over the country to transition paramedics into the world of registered nursing by building upon the education and experience they already possess. For those pursuing this educational pathway, choosing the best program possible is a high priority. That's why we have compiled a list of top Paramedic to RN programs to help students make the right decision for their future. For more information on our rankings, check out our Methodology Page (https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/)

#1 Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL Florida State College at Jacksonville offers students an RN bridge option for paramedics and LPNs who have the equivalent of at least 6 months of work experience within the last 2 years. This accelerated program takes 12 months to complete and requires 72 total credit hours to earn the Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN). The curriculum consists of courses in nursing care across the lifespan and even includes an NCLEX review class. Paramedic to RN Campus Tuition & Fees: $$$$$ Quick Facts: Public 4-Year

Financial aid available

Year-round enrollment #2 Southwest Baptist University Salem, MO Southwest Baptist University of Salem, Missouri offers a bridge program for paramedics who wish to earn their associate's degree in nursing (ADN/ASN). Enrolled students benefit from faith integration, small class sizes, and afternoon/evening course options. Prospective students must hold an unencumbered paramedic license to be considered for the bridge program. Paramedic to RN Campus Quick Facts: Private Non-Profit 4-Year

Some grad programs offered online

Christian-based institution #3 Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FL Florida's Daytona State College provides a Paramedic to RN pathway for students which culminates in an associate's certificate in nursing. Enrollees must be state-certified Florida EMTs in good standing. The program can be completed in 3 semesters of full-time attendance and consists of classroom learning, clinicals, and labs to bridge the paramedic to registered nursing practice. Paramedic to RN Campus Tuition & Fees: $$$$$ Quick Facts: Public 4-Year

Program consists of 42 credits

Approximate program tuition and fees: $4,300 #4 Dyersburg State Community College Dyersburg, TN The Paramedic to RN program through Dyersburg State Community College in Tennessee trains qualified students to become competent and caring registered nurses. The curriculum, which includes courses such as Microbiology, Transition to Professional Practice, Medical-Surgical Nursing, and more, leads to an associate of applied science in nursing degree (AAS). Paramedic to RN Campus Tuition & Fees: $$$$$ Quick Facts: Public 2-Year

New classes admitted every Fall

Program is 3 semesters in length #5 Hutchinson Community College Hutchinson, KS Hutchinson Community College (HCC) of Kansas offers an advanced placement RN bridge program designed specifically for paramedics to earn an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN). Enrolled students take courses including Care of the Family, Leadership and Management Concepts in Nursing, and more. HCC's didactic courses are offered online, but students will need to complete 405 hours of clinical instruction in Kansas. Paramedic to RN Campus Tuition & Fees: $$$$$ Quick Facts: Public 2-Year

Paramedic to RN program begins in August each year

Tuition discount for Kansas residents

How Does a Paramedic Become an RN?

For a paramedic to become an RN, they must first possess a good deal of experience as a licensed professional paramedic, as many bridge programs require at least one year in order to be eligible for the RN bridge program. Beyond this, a prospective student must meet all the requirements to be accepted into and graduate from a classroom-based or online paramedic to RN bridge program. Upon successful completion of the program, a student will be eligible to take the proper examinations to gain licensure as an RN.

Education and Certifications

The paramedic to RN bridge program is tailor-made to help paramedics gain the education and training they need to transition into a nursing career. They are typically accelerated transitional programs that build upon a paramedic's existing medical knowledge. Students will be introduced to nursing theory, patient care planning, mental health nursing, and more via courses and clinical experiences. Once the program is completed, the student will typically be awarded an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) (or in some cases a BSN) and can then take the NCLEX-RN exam to become certified as a registered nurse. If this exam is passed, an RN license will be granted through the Board of Nursing in the student's state.

Are There Paramedic to RN Bridge Programs Online?

Paramedics interested in becoming RNs as swiftly as possible can opt to take an online paramedic to RN training program via credit-by-examination. This unique fast-track program allows students to get full credit for college courses through standardized exams. For busy working paramedics, the flexibility of this option may be of paramount importance, as students can work at their own pace and access the program anytime, from anywhere. The credits gained from these affordable programs can then be transferred to a variety of accredited colleges nationwide.

Paramedic to RN Bridge Program Requirements

While each school may have its own set of specific requirements, most paramedic to RN bridge programs require the following in order to gain admittance:

High school diploma or GED

Transcripts from all high schools, colleges and universities attended

Completion of a variety of prerequisite courses with a grade of B or higher

Copy of current, valid and unrestricted state or National Paramedic Registry Certificate

Minimum of one year of paramedic work experience within the last 3 years

Professional references

HESI test results with satisfactory scores

Proof of up-to-date immunizations and CPR certification

Paramedic to RN Classes and Courses

Students enrolled in a paramedic to RN bridge program can expect to take a variety of nursing courses designed to expand upon existing healthcare knowledge. Both academic classes and clinical experiences are utilized as part of the curriculum. For example, Texas' Hill College structures its paramedic to RN program into three semesters. Semester 1 introduces the paramedic to registered nursing, semester 2 involves classes on comprehensive nursing care of diverse patients across the lifespan, and semester 3 focuses on applying client assessment and critical thinking skills.

To provide another example on paramedic to RN curriculum, Dyersburg State Community College in Tennessee offers the following courses as part of its program:

Transition to Professional Practice

Fundamentals of Nursing

Mental Health Nursing

Medical-Surgical Nursing

Women's Health and Childbearing Family

Pediatric Nursing

Professional Practice in Nursing

Length and Cost of Paramedic to RN Bridge Programs

Due to their accelerated status, most paramedic to RN bridge programs can be completed in 12-16 months. For example, Illinois' Parkland College program can be completed in three semesters of 11-14 credit hours per semester, after prerequisite courses have been taken. Many students find that they can complete the program with 1 year of dedicated study.

With only a few semesters of study needed to complete the program from start to finish, paramedic to RN bridge programs tend to be relatively affordable. For those struggling with finances, financial aid and scholarships are available. The estimated total cost of the paramedic to RN bridge program at Southern Union State Community College in Alabama, for example, is roughly $9,073.50, which includes tuition, fees, and course materials. Program fees can and will vary from school to school, so students should inquire about all related expenses from the school of their choice.

Job Outlook for Paramedics Becoming RNs

The employment outlook is extremely favorable for new grad RNs. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 16% growth for the profession through 2024. Students who have gone through the paramedic to RN program have the special advantage of being able to draw on their prior experience in the medical field, particularly in emergency and trauma situations. This may make them more desirable hires for hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare offices, as employers may prefer candidates with prior experience. With the aging population comes a growing need for highly skilled RNs, and those with paramedic experience have the foundation to gain employment in a wide variety of settings.

Potential RN Careers

Once a paramedic completes the bridge program and gains licensure as an RN, they will be poised to hold a variety of rewarding nursing jobs, including (but not limited to):

Keep in mind that some of these specialty nursing careers do require additional certification. RNs can work in hospitals, clinics, medical centers, nursing homes, schools, home health agencies, and other environments. RNs with a paramedic background may be particularly suited for roles that include emergency or trauma care.

Paramedic to RN Salary Comparison

While paramedics and registered nurses both have rewarding careers, RNs come out on top when it comes to salary. As of May 2017, paramedics in the country earn between $21,880 and $56,990 annually, with a median annual wage of $33,380. Once a paramedic completes training to become an RN, however, they can earn between $46,360 and $101,630, with a median annual wage of $67,490. This is why many paramedics looking to expand their careers are choosing to invest in a paramedic to RN bridge program; the increased earning potential makes it a worthwhile endeavor.

List of Paramedic to RN Bridge Programs

Listed below are Paramedic to RN bridge programs from across the country, get more details about each program by visit the school's webpage.

Select State from the Menu: Select State Alabama Arizona Arkansas California Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Mississippi Missouri North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Tennessee Texas Wisconsin

Alabama

Program Website Calhoun Community College 6250 Hwy. 31 North

Tanner , AL

(256) 306-2500 calhoun.edu Coastal Alabama Community College Campus 1900 US-31

Bay Minette , AL

(251) 580-2200 catalog.coastalalabama.edu Southern Union Community College 1701 Lafayette Pkwy

Opelika , AL

(334) 745-6437 suscc.edu

Arizona

Program Website Glendale Community College 6000 West Olive Avenue

Glendale , AZ

(623) 845-3000 www2.gccaz.edu Mesa Community College 1833 West Southern Ave

Mesa , AZ

(480) 461-7000 mesacc.edu Northland Pioneer College 1001 W. Deuce of Clubs

Show Low , AZ

(928) 532-6111 npc.edu Paradise Valley Community College Campus 18401 N 32nd St

Phoenix , AZ

(602) 787-6500 paradisevalley.edu

Arkansas

Program Website Arakansas State University - Mountain Home 1600 South College St.

Mountain Home , AR

(870) 508-6100 asumh.edu Baptist Health College Little Rock 11900 Colonel Glenn Road

Little Rock , AR

(501) 202-6200 bhclr.edu College of the Ouachitas One College Circle

Malvern , AR

(501) 337-5000 coto.edu University of Arkansas - Little Rock 2801 S University Ave

Little Rock , AR

(501) 569-3000 ualr.edu

California

Program Website College of the Redwoods 7351 Tompkins Hill Rd

Eureka , CA

(707) 476-4100 redwoods.edu

Florida

Program Website Daytona State College Campus 1200 W International Speedway Blvd

Daytona Beach , FL 32114

(386) 506-3000 daytonastate.smartcatalogiq.com Eastern Florida State College 1519 Clearlake Road

Cocoa , FL

(321) 632-1111 easternflorida.edu Florida State College at Jacksonville Campus 101 W State St

Jacksonville , FL

(904) 646-2300 fscj.edu Palm Beach State College 4200 Congress Avenue

Lake Worth , FL

(561) 967-7222 palmbeachstate.edu Polk State College 999 Avenue H N.E.

Winter Haven , FL

(863) 297-1000 polk.edu St. Petersburg College Campus 6605 5th Ave N

St. Petersburg , FL

(727) 341-4772 go.spcollege.edu Valencia College 1800 S Kirkman Rd

Orlando , FL

(407) 299-5000 catalog.valenciacollege.edu

Georgia

Program Website Albany State University 2400 Gillionville Rd

Albany , GA

(229) 317-6000 asurams.edu Athens Technical College 800 US Hwy 29 North

Athens , GA

(706) 355-5000 athenstech.smartcatalogiq.com Georgia Highlands College 415 E. Third Ave

Rome , GA

(706) 295-6321 sites.highlands.edu Gwinnett Technical College Campus 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway

Lawrenceville , GA

(770) 962-7580 gwinnetttech.edu

Illinois

Program Website Parkland College Campus 2400 West Bradley Ave

Champaign , IL

(217) 351-2200 parkland.edu

Indiana

Program Website Ivy Tech Community College - Indianapolis 50 W Fall Creek Pkwy N Dr

Indianapolis , IN

(888) 489-5463 ivytech.edu Ivy Tech Community College - Terre Haute 8000 Education Dr

Terre Haute , IN

(812) 299-1121 ivytech.edu

Kansas

Program Website Coffeyville Community College 400 W 11th St

Coffeyville , KS

(620) 251-7700 coffeyville.edu Hutchinson Community College Campus 1300 North Plum

Hutchinson , KS

(620) 665-3500 hutchcc.edu Kansas City Kansas Community College 7250 State Avenue

Kansas City , KS

(913) 334-1100 kckcc.edu MidAmerica Nazarene University 2030 E. College Way

Olathe , KS

(913) 782-3750 mnu.edu Pratt Community College 348 NE SR 61

Pratt , KS

(620) 672-5641 prattcc.edu

Kentucky

Program Website Morehead State University - Morehead Campus 150 University Blvd.

Morehead , KY

(800) 585-6781 moreheadstate.edu Morehead State University - Mt. Sterling Campus 3400 Indian Mound Dr.

Mt. Sterling , KY

(859) 499-0780 moreheadstate.edu

Maryland

Program Website Anne Arundel Community College 101 College Parkway

Arnold , MD

(410) 777-2222 aacc.edu Anne Arundel Community College 101 College Parkway

Arnold , MD

(410) 777-2222 aacc.edu Chesapeake College 1000 College Cir

Wye Mills , MD

(410) 822-5400 chesapeake.edu Community College of Baltimore County 800 S Rolling Rd

Catonsville , MD

(443) 840-2222 ccbcmd.edu Hagerstown Community College 11400 Robinwood Dr

Hagerstown , MD

(240) 500-2000 hagerstowncc.edu Howard Community College 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway

Columbia , MD

(443) 518-1000 howardcc.edu Prince George's Community College 301 Largo Rd

Largo , MD

(301) 546-7422 catalog.pgcc.edu

Massachusetts

Program Website Quinsigamond Community College 670 West Boylston Street

Worcester , MA

(508) 853-2300 qcc.edu

Michigan

Program Website Delta College Campus 1961 Delta Road

University Center , MI

(989) 686-9000 delta.edu Lansing Community College 309 N Washington Square

Lansing , MI

(517) 483-1957 lcc.edu Southwestern Michigan College Campus 58900 Cherry Grove Rd

Dowagiac , MI

(800) 456-8675 swmich.edu

Mississippi

Program Website Hinds Community College Campus 1750 Chadwick Drive

Jackson , MS

(601) 857-5261 hindscc.edu

Missouri

Program Website Mineral Area College 5270 Flat River Road

Park Hills , MO

(573) 431-4593 mineralarea.edu SEH College of Nursing & Health Sciences 2001 William St

Cape Girardeau , MO

(573) 334-6825 sehcollege.edu Southwest Baptist University Campus 501 S Grand St

Salem , MO

(573) 729-7071 sbuniv.edu

North Carolina

Program Website Southwestern Community College 447 College Drive

Sylva , NC

(828) 339-4000 southwesterncc.edu

North Dakota

Program Website Bismarck State College 500 E Front Ave

Bismarck , ND

(701) 224-2468 dakotanursing.org Dakota College at Bottineau 105 Simrall Blvd

Bottineau , ND

(701) 228-5433 dakotanursing.org Lake Region State College 1801 College Drive N

Devil's Lake , ND

(701) 662-1600 dakotanursing.org Williston State College 1410 University Ave

Williston , ND

(701) 774-4290 dakotanursing.org

Ohio

Program Website Belmont College Campus 68094 Hammond Rd

St Clairsville , OH

(740) 695-9500 belmontcollege.edu Clark State Community College Campus 3775 Pentagon Blvd

Dayton , OH

(937) 429-8819 clarkstate.edu Kent State University at Ashtabula 3300 Lake Rd W

Ashtabula , OH

(440) 964-3322 kent.edu Lorain County Community College 1005 N Abbe Rd

Elyria , OH

(800) 995-5222 catalog.lorainccc.edu Stark State College 6200 Frank Ave. NW

North Canton , OH

(330) 494-6170 starkstate.edu

Oklahoma

Program Website Connors State College - Three Rivers Port Campus 2501 N. 41st Street East

Muskogee , OK

(918) 684-5436 connorsstate.edu Eastern Oklahoma State College 1301 West Main

Wilburton , OK

(918) 465-2361 eosc.edu Murray State College Campus 1 Murray Campus Dr

Tishomingo , OK

(580) 371-2371 mscok.edu Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College 200 I Street NE

Miami , OK

(888) 464-6636 neo.edu Oklahoma City Community College 7777 South May Avenue

Oklahoma City , OK

(405) 682-1611 occc.edu Rogers State University 1701 W Will Rogers Blvd

Claremore , OK

(918) 343-7777 rsu.edu Rose State College 6420 S.E. 15th Street

Midwest City , OK

(405) 733-7673 rose.edu Tulsa Community College Metro Campus 909 S Boston Ave

Tulsa , OK

(918) 595-7000 tulsacc.edu Tulsa Community College Owasso Campus 3727 E Apache St

Tulsa , OK

(918) 595-7000 tulsacc.edu

Tennessee

Program Website Chattanooga State Community College 4501 Amnicola Highway

Chattanooga , TN

(423) 697-4400 chattanoogastate.edu Dyersburg State Community College Campus 1510 Lake Rd

Dyersburg , TN

(731) 286-3200 dscc.edu Pellissippi State Community College 10915 Hardin Valley Rd

Knoxville , TN

(865) 694-6400 pstcc.edu

Texas

Program Website Central Texas College 6200 W Central Texas Expy

Killeen , TX

(254) 526-7161 ctcd.edu Collin College Campus 2200 W University Dr

McKinney , TX

(972) 548-6790 collin.edu El Paso Community College Campus 100 West Rio Grande Ave.

El Paso , TX

(915) 831-3722 epcc.edu Hill College - Cleburne Campus 2112 Mayfield Pkwy

Cleburne , TX

(817) 760-5500 hillcollege.edu Hill College - Hillsboro Campus 112 Lamar Dr

Hillsboro , TX

(254) 659-7500 hillcollege.edu Lone Star College - Kingwood 20000 Kingwood Dr

Kingwood , TX

(281) 312-1600 lonestar.edu Lone Star College - Montgomery 3200 College Park Dr

Conroe , TX

(936) 273-7000 lonestar.edu Lone Star College - North Harris 2700 W W Thorne Dr

Houston , TX

(281) 618-5400 lonestar.edu San Jacinto College 4620 Fairmont Pkwy.

Pasadena , TX

(281) 991-2659 sanjac.edu South Texas College Campus 1101 E Vermont Ave

McAllen , TX 78503

(956) 872-3100 nah.southtexascollege.edu Tarrant County College 1500 Houston St

Fort Worth , TX

(817) 515-8223 tccd.edu Trinity Valley Community College Campus 100 Cardinal Dr

Athens , TX

(903) 675-6200 tvcc.edu Tyler Junior College 1327 S Baxter Ave

Tyler , TX

(800) 687-5680 tjc.edu

Wisconsin

Program Website Fox Valley Technical College 1825 N. Bluemound Drive

Appleton , WI

(800) 735-3882 fvtc.edu Madison Area Technical College 1701 Wright Street

Madison , WI

(608) 246-6100 madisoncollege.edu Mid-State Technical College 500 32nd Street North

Wisconsin Rapids , WI

(715) 422-5300 mstc.edu Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Campus 2740 West Mason St,

Green Bay , WI

(920) 498-5444 nwtc.edu Waukesha County Technical College 327 E Broadway

Waukesha , WI

(262) 695-6500 wctc.edu

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.

Helpful Links

OTHER RN BRIDGE PROGRAMS