The Best Paramedic-to-RN Bridge Programs

A paramedic’s training and experience are invaluable. These professionals can use their existing knowledge and expertise to complete bridge programs and become registered nurses (RNs).

You can boost your earning potential and increase your access to more opportunities with a paramedic-to-RN bridge program. These pathways allow you to earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) in 1-2 years, with the fastest programs taking as few as nine months.

When you graduate from an accredited paramedic-to-RN program, you can possess the skills and knowledge to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) or continue your education by pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), which many employers prefer.

Online paramedic-to-RN bridge degrees can provide professionals with a quick path to high-paying nursing careers. This guide covers details on the best online paramedic-to-RN programs, including common admission requirements and career outlook data.

Most paramedic-to-RN programs lead to ADNs. However, not every program has the same curriculum or format, and some may take longer than others.

When looking for the right program for your needs, consider the following factors:

Accreditation ensures a quality education and verifies a graduate’s preparedness for nursing. The accreditation process benefits nursing as a whole and ensures students can sit for the NCLEX-RN.

Upholding industry standards can also provide better nursing care outcomes. Nursing programs, such as those included in our ranking, receive accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Key considerations include:

Online paramedic-to-RN programs operate virtually, except for clinical rotations and labs, which require in-person participation.

Self-paced programs may allow students to schedule labs or clinical rotations on the weekends or in the evenings, which can help to accommodate their professional and personal obligations. Some learners in paramedic-to-RN online programs may enroll in hybrid programs with daytime classes that incorporate in-person and virtual coursework. Others may study entirely asynchronously.

Find out more information about clinical experiences as an online nursing student and the differences between in-person and online nursing programs with our helpful guides.

An online paramedic-to-RN bridge program lets working paramedics speed through ADNs by providing credit for what they already know. Leveraging existing skills and knowledge held by paramedics, bridge courses focus on developing the critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills needed to deliver patient-centered care as an RN.

Prospective students must be current paramedics and meet other requirements for admission, which differ by program.

Various factors can contribute to the cost of an online paramedic-to-RN program. It can be difficult to pay upfront if you can’t work while going to school, and paying out-of-state rates or staying in school longer than normal can also increase costs. Each program’s website should have a page with a clear tuition and fee summary.

Colleges offer many federal financial aid resources to help you pay for your nursing degree. You can visit your financial aid office and take out loans, which include specific repayment terms and conditions. Grants and scholarships do not require repayment, however, making them ideal sources of funding. You can also take advantage of need-based and merit-based scholarships.

Start applying for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines your eligibility for federal, state, and private funding sources.

As a prospective healthcare worker, you can also explore details on student loan forgiveness programs, employer tuition reimbursement, and opportunities to apply for scholarships and grants. As you research available options, you’ll likely find that organizations like the American Legion and Red Cross offer scholarships for nursing students. Although these grants and scholarships may be small, everything helps to lower your overall financial burden.

Rewarding nursing careers await graduates of online paramedic-to-RN programs, which prepare students to sit for the NCLEX exam, earn licensure, and become RNs.

Graduates of online paramedic-to-RN degrees can continue their education with BSN programs. Earning an ADN gives graduates the clinical and theoretical nursing foundation to earn a four-year BSN degree.

Many RNs work in hospitals, while others find employment in ambulatory healthcare services, nursing and rehab facilities, medical practices, and government agencies.

The scope of practice for RNs and paramedics differs in significant ways. RNs can work in many clinical settings, including hospitals and medical offices — many more than are available to paramedics.

Like RNs, paramedics can insert IVs, give medications, and provide life-saving interventions — unlike RNs, paramedics can intubate patients in emergencies. Nurses help determine and deliver patient care in all settings and situations, including emergencies and non-emergencies.

Paramedics tend to perform most of their work in the field or in ambulances. They bear the responsibility of caring for patients while transporting them to ERs and other healthcare settings.