Paramedic to RN Bridge Programs

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Being a paramedic is a challenging occupation, and some paramedics may want to see their medical careers go farther. Things like a stable work schedule and lower-stress environment are highly desirable, but cannot be easily obtained without an education. Additionally, salary increases for a paramedic can be hard to come by, and oftentimes the most experienced paramedics can see salaries that are competitive with other health care professionals. Enrolling in a registered nurse bridge program is one way to bring a paramedics career to the next level in terms of position and pay. Registered nurses (RNs) typically command extremely competitive salaries, and have greater career advancement opportunities because of their higher knowledge base and credentials. However, since many paramedics may have only an associate’s degree, or no college degree at all, deciding what type of program to enroll in can be a daunting task. Fortunately, there are many options available. Namely, students can opt to enroll in a paramedic to RN bridge program.

Paramedic to RN bridge programs are geared specifically towards paramedics who are currently working in the field and wish to be properly prepared to take, and pass, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Passing this exam is required to obtain licensure as a registered nurse, and can be quite challenging. Taking courses specifically designed to give students information and problem solving techniques that will be useful for the test can be a huge benefit. The other benefit, is that these bridge programs offer students a way to obtain an associates degree (if they do not already have one), which further increases their earning potential. Additionally, some of these programs allow students to earn Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. While this type of program takes longer to complete, the higher degree level can often result in a significant earnings increase for the nurse in addition to more job opportunities.

Paramedic to RN bridge programs typically take about two years of coursework for completion. This time can be decreased with prior credit, or if the university allows students to test out of certain subjects and courses. This time can be increased if students decide to only attend classes on a part time basis, or have to take a term off for whatever reason. While their are many traditional brick and mortar paramedic to RN programs, there are also distance education options available. Distance education can be an excellent choice for those who do not want to stop working as a paramedic in order to become an RN. The flexibility offered by online paramedic to RN courses can also be helpful for anyone who has family commitments. While a majority of the coursework may be completed online, it is important to note that clinicals need to be completed in person. Students in these programs can expect to take courses that cover the essential areas of nursing, while building on any knowledge already obtained through their work as paramedics. If paramedics are looking to jump-start their career and pave the way for future success, enrolling in a paramedic to RN program can be an excellent decision.

Paramedic to RN Bridge Programs

LPN to RN College Programs

While several schools have online nursing degrees available, few offer LPN to RN programs. What's the good news? We have listed some accredited schools below that do offer the program in addition to schools with other bridge programs available. Find out more information and contact each school by using any of the links below.

Indiana State University—Indiana State University offers a robust online program designed for LPNs wanting to become registered nurses and earn their BSN degree. Since ISU's credits transfer to over 80 campus majors, this is an ideal program for people wanting to open opportunities for their career down the road.

The College Network—The College Network is a partnership with several universities and organizations like the National League for Nursing that focuses on online education and programs, with several courses for nurses or those interested in a nursing career. Specifically, TCN helps students prepare for their PN and RN licensures and move on to earn graduate degrees.

Other Nursing Degrees

Walden University—Walden University is typically a graduate school with several masters and doctoral programs available, but they do have BSN and RN to MSN bridge programs available. Walden is based out of Minneapolis and offers several options in transferring your previously earned credits to and from (or even within) the school.

Kaplan University—Kaplan University is one of the nation's largest and leading online educators and offers several bridge programs for registered nurses to earn their BSN or MSN degree. If you have previously earned credits, Kaplan makes it easy for you to transfer to any one of their undergraduate or graduate programs.

Herzing University—While Herzing University does not offer an undergraduate nursing degree, it is a great choice for working nurses wanting to pursue leadership positions in Nurse Education or Management. With over 10 campuses and 45 online programs available, Herzing has a massive network that makes it easy to transfer to or from the school.

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