Paramedic to ADN vs. BSN Accelerated

[Medic_95]

I’m a paramedic, and I’m almost done with my bachelors degree. I’ll be able to sit for my FP-C after my last CCT class, which is awesome; but I won’t make the type of money as an FP-C that I could as a CFRN. It doesn’t really make sense not to get the RN at this point. I realize I’d have to get a couple years of RN experience, but I can do that part time while working as a flight medic. I really love the ICU setting, and it was one of my favorite parts of medic school.

My problem is that IDK what program to do. Paramedic to ADN at a community college isn’t even 10k, and I can do it while getting some flight medic experience! 

The accelerated BSN is faster, but it’s full time for a year and will cost three times the price. Do I actually need the BSN, when I already have a paramedic bachelors degree? I’d rather not pay for more college than I need. I don’t plan on using my RN for anything but PRN ICU work to qualify for CCRN, and to become a flight nurse after I have enough work experience.
 

I’ve heard some agencies hire Flight NP’s now, but if I wanted to be a mid level practitioner I would most likely just go the PA route. My degree meets the requirements for PA school anyway. Is there a pay bonus for BSN over a paramedic bachelors degree? Anything that makes it worth the price tag, and time?

Thanks.

[CheesePotato, BSN, RN]

Good Afternoon,

So I read through your post and I feel that there is a lot to unpack here.  If I misunderstand any part of what you wrote and answer inappropriately, please correct me.

So to be clear:

You are a badass paramedic who is almost done with your bachelors.

You want to be a flight medic/flight nurse.

But if you went midlevel, you’d be a PA.

^^^

This is what I’m operating under the understanding of (ugh—bad grammar—sorry) and will try to help you sort it. 

So real talk: I began my career as an ADN nurse. I did a RN-BSN program while working full time and I am now in grad school. 

So here’s what I can tell you.  Going the ADN route is nice—so long as you can get a job. So before you make that decision, I would recommend scoping out the job postings at the hospitals you wish to join.  Do they require a BSN?  If so, there’s your answer.  If not, why in the world spend more money and lose time away from work when you can get your ADN, pull down some $$ and then just do a RN-BSN program while you work full time? 

A BSN is necessary to give you mobility in the workforce and to climb in nursing education.  But that is all it gives you. 

A BSN nurse is no more qualified/safe/etc than an ADN nurse.  ßand yes, I will die on that hill.  Sorry, not sorry.

Anyway—as it would seem you would want to become a PA should you choose to go mid-level provider, it would seem to me that dumping that money into getting a BSN straight out the gate, again, so long as you can get work, is silly.  That same money would be better put into becoming a PA. 

Which brings me to this question: If you would want to become a PA……then why not just become a PA?  Ya’ feel me?  Like….why give two years to getting your RN if PA is where you want to end up as a midlevel? 

Or—is it more if you choose to go that route when flight nursing has run its course for you?

Either way, I hope I’ve given you some sort of guidance somewhere in this long-winded novel.

Regards,

~~CP~~

TL;Dr:

ADN gets you working sooner.
BSN only needed if hospital system won’t hire ADN and/or trying to climb ladder

PA: Consider just going for this if it is your end game goal and/or hospital system uses Flight PA.