Paramedic to RN

[Zmedic50]

Hey all,

I am a paramedic in Oregon. I have been a firefighter for 5 years and a medic for 2.5. I am looking to start school to become an RN and I was wondering if anyone has experience making the transition and what programs are best for it. A bridge program would be ideal for time obviously but I have generally heard bad things. An accelerated RN program through a more traditional community college or university would be ideal but I am having trouble finding one. Does anyone have any general advice or recommendations for accelerated or bridge programs? Thanks!

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

Don't have any specific education recommendations, but I wish you good luck with your future choices! I know a few paramedics that have made the switch to RN, a couple were very happy with it and a couple found the RN life very mundane compared to their paramedic days. You have an excellent grasp of prehospital medicine as a paramedic which will serve you will since that's not covered in most nursing programs. You will understand patient presentation, the importance of assessment and developing efficient communication related to patient handoffs, probably more than many of your fellow classmates. You can probably be successful in whatever education venue works out for you. Good luck!

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

I've never seen a community college with an accelerated program except for some LPN to RN programs which I think have gone the way of the Dodo bird, at least around my area. University accelerated programs are generally second bachelor's degree programs- do you have a BA/BS?

[Zmedic50]

I do not have a bachelors otherwise I would do an accelerated BSN program. At this time im leaning toward doing my RN at a CC then getting my BSN online while working. 

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

49 minutes ago, Zmedic50 said:

I do not have a bachelors otherwise I would do an accelerated BSN program. At this time im leaning toward doing my RN at a CC then getting my BSN online while working. 

Sounds like a good strategy. If you have to work a lot of hours while in school try to cut yourself a break by taking as many of the pre-reqs and non-clinical courses as you can first to lighten your load. You also may want to check the curricula of the RN to BSN programs you think you'd like and do the same thing. (My program would accept courses from community colleges- which had much cheaper tuition- but after you matriculated you had to take any remaining core courses needed there and it was certainly more expensive.)

[gere7404, BSN, RN]

A lot of the techs in the ED I work at transitioned from emt-p through the excelsior online program

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

4 hours ago, gere7404 said:

A lot of the techs in the ED I work at transitioned from emt-p through the Excelsior online program

I was a paramedic/ED tech who did Excelsior's program 12 years ago. Right now they are not accepting applications from the OP's state due to the impending loss of ACEN accreditation in May. However, Excelsior is also transitioning to a program that offers nursing theory concurrent with clinical instruction - online courses, weekly synchronous laboratory experiences, and an in-person clinical experience. Sounds like a good thing! I wonder what this will mean for their future accreditation.