Paramedic to RN: Getting Started

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hey, i am a paramedic for virginia and unfortunately, cannot find a paramedic to rn course online. my resources have led me to apply at ec and take the paramedic to rn online course. i have read many of the posts on here about the cpne and other nursing related questions. my questions is, how is ec on there general education classes (i.e. microbiology)? if anyone has any input of what i should expect or tips to help me get started, it would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Med/Surg Nurse, Homecare, Visiting Nurse.

Well, many people have had great experiences with EC's Micro exam. I on the otherhand haven't, I failed this exam the first time I took it and now I'm back to PASS it. I think my problem was I underestimated the wealth of information this exam had. I took the exam with minimal study and my grade showed I hadn't even begin to study. I would suggest you take your general ed requirements first, whether you take them at a local CC or through EC take them first. The CPNE exam is pretty daunting to say the least and if you're like me, I ran out of energy after that exam. I passed the CPNE almost a year ago and I am still working on Micro to be a GN. The exam is doable with so many before me who passed with A's and B's, the sooner you get started the sooner you finish.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I'm also in Virginia. I'm hoping you're aware that Virginia doesn't allow direct licensure for EC grads right now -- it's in the works legislatively speaking, but there are no guarantees. The stopped allowing direct licensure at the end of 2009. You can endorse an RN license in when you have 960 hours of RN experience in another location, or at a federal facility. State info on EC's site: https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/My_Excelsior_College/Electronic_Peer_Network/Discussion_Boards

With that being said, EC was a fabulous program for me. :) The first thing you should do (if you haven't already) is to submit an application and any transcripts to EC to see which classes you really need for the program. I thought their exams were challenging, but do-able with study.

Welcome to the forum, and allnurses!

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betterme29, thanks for the information. i am thinking about taking the micro class through ec, only because it is online. here in virginia, i am unable to attend traditional micro class because i work for a fire department that doesn’t allow me time of to go to school. i will definitely keep you posted and let you know the outcome.

lunahrn- thanks also, for the reply. i do realize that virginia doesn’t acknowledge the nursing program from ec. however, you stated after the hours or after working for a federal facility. do you think the federal facility is something like the va hospital? online, it doesn’t specifically say anything about working for a federal agency. i would much rather do this then work out of state for 6months to a year. thanks for the direction :)

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Yep, the VA would be exactly that. :) However, I know there is something in the works to reinstate licensure by exam for EC grads, and I believe the Virginia BON will consider it in September. No guarantees, of course!

I'm actually working on commissioning into the Army Nurse Corps -- they also accept EC grads. I had to go on and complete my BSN to qualify -- I did that through another school, not Excelsior, for various reasons -- but the military is just fine with EC grads. My recruiters gives weight and consideration to my paramedic experience, which outweighs my RN experience by 5 years.

There are some online Micro classes that you can take, but EC's Micro exam wasn't terrible. Do you have to take A&P as well, or are you good there already?

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I have already had A&P 1. I am not sure if i need A&P II or not. i have a degree in Fire Science, so most classes i have already taken. When you talk about: something in the works to reinstate licensure by exam for EC grads, and I believe the Virginia BON will consider it in September, what do you mean by this? Do you complete the course, take the boards and then have to take an exam to be registered in Virginia?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

The boards are all you take for nursing licensure -- just depends on which state licenses you. Right now, EC grads cannot take the boards for licensure in Virginia. EC is petitioning to have this changed, but it may not happen.

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Hi.

I was happy to see your post, and all the replies. I am a 6 year medic working in Utah and after 5 years of working pt for a smaller fire dept as a paramedic, and a sudden unfortunate layoff, I have decided that I want to get my RN and start doing that PT. My plan is to work PT as a RN and have my RN as a safety net if I get injured etc, then do it full time after retirement. Due to my work schedule and family responsibilities I too have started looking into Excelsior. I would love to exchange info and ideas with you if your willing. I am intimidated about going back to school, scared to spend a ton of money and not pass tests, scared no one will hire a nurse from an online school, etc.

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"I am intimidated about going back to school, scared to spend a ton of money and not pass tests, scared no one will hire a nurse from an online school"

Hi SlowZ,

I share some of your fears, also... except the last one! I totalled it up, and, yes, it IS a lot of money, but the only logical way to go, for me. I have some ancient college credits that should count toward pre-reqs. I faxed requests for official transcripts to the schoools that I attended, then will apply to EC for review. I plan to CLEP the Psych Human Growth & Development and the English Comp, am starting to study Micro, to take the EC Exam....and then, the Nursing Exams.

The first person I knew that went to Regents (former name of Excelsior) about 20 years ago worked as a Nurse, then went to PA school.

Good luck to you!

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slowz801-

thanks for the reply. i am working the same rate as you. work for the fire dept full time, while working pt as a nurse. then, at 48 (retirement) move to ft nurse position. i am 29 years old so i have a few years ahead of me before retirement. after talking with lunah on here, she has given me much direction and answers to my questions. i have recently asked for my transcripts to send to ec to review what else i may need. it can be very intimidating at first, but hang with it. what i have found from talking with everyone is to get someone to go into the program with you. maybe another paramedic. this way, you will have a study partner and you will not be alone in the whole process. as i get closer to the start, i will keep you informed of all routes that i am taking, including the financial aide. i believe that during the process, if the other paramedics out there communicate via this website, and with all the nurses who have also completed the program, we may have a lot of answers to our questions and fears. keep us up to speed on how things are doing and how you are progressing and i will also do the same. good luck!!!

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I was searching for something else, but just found your thread. I'm a paramedic, as well. How is your progress going? Need any help getting started?

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Hey ladder, congrats on choosing EC. You'll do great.

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