Paramedic to RN...a viable way around the lotteries/waiting lists?

ramselr · Aug 21, 2009

I just finished a paramedic-to-RN program in AZ. I originally had my paramedic license here in CA wanting to work in Fire, but then changed my mind and found a program in AZ. I got in right away and had no problem getting my RN license in CA.

There were 4 LPNs and 4 medics in our advanced placement class and all the medics did well. I worked as an EMT-B while getting my paramedic license but never got to work as a medic, but even my limited training during the medic internship on the ambulance really helped for nursing school. I know some of the medics were at a loss for basic nursing skills when we first started but in the end I think everyone agreed we were in much better shape than most other new-grads. We had the most trouble with thinking about long-term care as opposed to emergency care and 'the nursing process' as opposed to just keeping the patient alive until you arrive at the hospital, but on the other side, I coded a guy on the second day of my paramedic internship before I even started block 3 of nursing school. The medics in general had a better grasp of pathophysiology than the LPNs. And in the end you get a year of paramedic school and then the second year of nursing school, so in my opinion you get the best of both worlds.

I think it can work out for you. You can get into paramedic schools easily. However, they take more than one year usually. And do they have medic-to-RN programs here in CA now? If not you'll have to move to a different state for a year. As for the paramedic-to-RN program, I looked into it in January 2008 and started June 2008, so that was easy to get into also.

caliotter3 · Aug 21, 2009

Have not seen anything about paramedic to RN programs in CA. If you find any, please come back and tell everyone about them. Good luck with your plans.

teethdemo · Sep 11, 2009

rameslr- i wanted to thank you for your detailed explanation. i am new to this site, but the info you provided helped me out a ton :) i have been a emt-b for several years and am currently in paramedic school with 2 months left to go. unfourtunatly, the pay scale that az has for private medics is very low. i'm a single mom with no intentions of going into the fire service so my options are limited. i am thinking about going right from medic school into the nursing bridge if i can find one locally. this will help me support my family, with added security also. can you give me some info as to the program you selected? im having problems finding a reputable school so far..... thanks again for the informative post-

karin from az:yeah:

teethdemo · Sep 11, 2009

rameslr- i wanted to thank you for your detailed explanation. i am new to this site, but the info you provided helped me out a ton :) i have been a emt-b for several years and am currently in paramedic school with 2 months left to go. unfourtunatly, the pay scale that az has for private medics is very low. i'm a single mom with no intentions of going into the fire service so my options are limited. i am thinking about going right from medic school into the nursing bridge if i can find one locally. this will help me support my family, with added security also. can you give me some info as to the program you selected? im having problems finding a reputable school so far..... thanks again for the informative post-

karin from az

ramselr · Sep 13, 2009

I did the "bridge" program at Estrella Mountain CC. Was a painless 6 week program in June/July 2008. We got LPN licenses from that, and then were able to join any LPN-RN program in the Maricopa system. Or really at any other school because if you take the LPN NCLEX you're a licensed LPN at that point. If you don't take the LPN NCLEX then you don't get your LPN license but you can still join an LPN-RN program in the Maricopa CC system.

Most didn't get their LPN license but it worked great for me as I work as an LPN all last year while going to school.

I ended up going to Rio Salado and their online LPN-to-RN program. I liked it. Not the best didactic education as they're a bit disorganized but it was great for scheduling. We also did our clinicals at MMC which was great.

They might move the bridge program to another CC next summer - just ask around.

Hope this helps.