Ca. Paramedic to RN?

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I have been a working Firefighter/paramedic for 15 years - my body does not want to cooperate with firefighting work anymore. :cool: I'm wondering if anyone on this site has made this career transition before? I would love some advice on where to start, what to look for in a school, anything will help as this is all new to me. I enjoy being a medic and feel this change is the right one for me. Thanks

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Peds ICU.

It's not as uncommon as you might think. I know there are a few other people posting on these boards who went from fire/EMS to nursing besides me, and I work in a trauma ICU with another former FF.

What region of California are you in? Any specific burning questions, or just general "getting started" type stuff?

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Specializes in CVICU, education.

there are a few paramedic to rn adn programs in different areas of the state. from what i found, those programs were not much different then the standard adn program. adn programs usually choose their students by lottery or using a list (and the wait is long), bsn programs use a competitive process to choose their students, they usually have more pre-requisites, higher tuition, and often are longer then adn programs (although i found a 20 month bsn program). there are a few direct entry masters program although i didn't research those, as most were out of my area.

if you go to the california brn website it lists all the approved rn programs in the state. to start you might look at the pre-requisites for a program that is close to you to get a general idea. my suggestion if you need to take those classes to get enrolled at your local community college and get started on those.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

The few Paramedic to RN programs basically only allow you to "skip" the first semester of school after you've completed a bridge course. In essence, you take a bridge course and start with the 2nd semester students. LVN students take a bridge course and then usually start with the 2nd year students...

It appears that it would be the same length program if a Paramedic just went to a traditional RN school.

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