Paramedic to RN: Is a Career Transition Right For You?

Paramedics and registered nurses (RN) are the backbone of frontline healthcare. Both are drawn to public service and often find themselves caring for patients during highly stressful, difficult and sometimes dangerous situations.

If you are a paramedic and are thinking about a career shift rather than a career change, you probably have considered becoming an RN but may still have some questions about the transition. 

Let’s look at some of the reasons a paramedic might be considering pursuing a career as an RN, how the educational requirements are different from paramedic to RN, the paramedic vs. nurse salary differences and the many career options.

In This Article: 

• What Is a Paramedic? 
• Paramedic Education and Training 
• Paramedics: Life-Saving Duties
• Transitioning From Paramedic to Nurse 
• Nursing Education: Paths to Professional Caregiving 
• Duties of Nurses Around the Country
• Paramedic vs. Nurse Salary 
• Make the Shift From Paramedic to Nurse at GCU

What Is a Paramedic?

From its Latin roots, paramedic translates from para- meaning alongside and -medic meaning doctor — alongside the doctor.¹ Paramedics don’t literally work next to doctors, but their training and education are such that they provide essential care to assist doctors, as well as nurses, police, firefighters and more.

A paramedic is often the lead member of a rescue team, performing life-saving duties and procedures.²

Let’s first explore what it takes to become a paramedic.

Paramedic Education and Training

The first step to becoming a paramedic is to get trained and certified as an emergency medical technician (EMT).² Once certified, you are likely required to complete the following educational requirements in this order:

1. Paramedic training program: Often offered through a community college or technical school, paramedic training requires 1,200 to 1,800 hours.³ You’ll learn advanced medical techniques, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology. Often this training is combined with general education courses to fulfill the requirements of an associate degree in paramedicine or emergency medical services.
2. National or state certification: After completing the paramedic program, candidates must pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) paramedic exam or a state-specific certification exam.
3. Continuing education: Paramedics are required to complete ongoing continuing education to maintain certification and stay current with medical advancements.

Paramedics: Life-Saving Duties

Now that you understand the training to be a paramedic, lets learn why paramedics are listed among the top 20 of the most dangerous jobs.⁴ This is because paramedics are highly trained and skilled in some of the most life-threatening situations and provide critical care to patients in urgent and out-of-hospital settings. They respond to 911 calls, assess patients’ conditions and perform life-saving procedures while transporting them to medical facilities. Here are the top five paramedic job duties:⁵

1. Emergency response: Paramedics are dispatched to emergency scenes, where they must quickly assess the situation and determine the best course of action. They provide basic life support (BLS) as well as advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) measures.^6,7 
2. Patient assessment: They evaluate patients’ vital signs, symptoms and medical history to identify injuries or illnesses and provide appropriate treatment. 
3. Medical interventions: Paramedics perform advanced medical procedures to stabilize patients, such as administering medications, intubating and defibrillating. 
4. Transport coordination: They ensure the safe and efficient transport of patients to hospitals or trauma centers while monitoring and managing their condition en route. 
5. Communication and reporting: Paramedics relay critical information to medical staff at receiving facilities and accurately document patient care for legal and medical records.

Transitioning From Paramedic to Nurse

Nursing comes with its own set of challenging work conditions, such as long hours, exposure to illness and caring for life-threatening injuries and illness. But if you are thinking of a change from paramedic to RN, you likely already see some of the benefits of a career in nursing. 

Read more about the 10 signs nursing is right for you.

Nurses often work in a more structured and controlled environment, such as a hospital, rather than in the field, as do firefighters, police and paramedics. They usually work three 12-hour shifts per week and have a variety of specialty nursing career paths to choose from, such as pediatrics, critical care, surgery, school nursing and the more familiar emergency room, to name a few.

Nursing Education: Paths to Professional Caregiving

There are varying minimum entry-to-practice degrees for nurses. Many new nurses and employers are looking for BSNs.⁸ The good news is that if you already have some college credits from your general education, most likely, some or all of them will count toward your nursing degree.⁹

In fact, if you already have college credits or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, you could earn your nursing degree faster than you think. With GCU’s accelerated BSN (ABSN) program, you could earn your degree in as few as 16 months.¹⁰

Duties of Nurses Around the Country

Nursing is at the forefront of the healthcare profession, providing care to patients, supporting medical teams and ensuring patient well-being. Nurses can work in a variety of settings, delivering hands-on care and offering emotional and educational support to patients and their families. Despite the varied clinical settings for nurses, the basic nursing duties remain the same. 

Here are the top seven nursing job duties:

1. Patient assessment: Nurses evaluate patients’ health conditions by checking vital signs, reviewing medical histories and performing physical exams to identify care needs.
2. Medication administration: They ensure that medications are correctly prepared and administered according to doctor’s orders while monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions.
3. Wound care and treatment: Nurses clean, dress and monitor wounds, ensuring proper healing and preventing infections.
4. Patient education: They teach patients and their families about their conditions, treatments, medications and how to manage their health after discharge.
5. Collaboration with healthcare teams: They work closely with doctors, specialists and other healthcare providers to coordinate comprehensive care for patients.
6. Patient advocacy: Nurses act as a patient advocate, ensuring that needs, preferences and concerns are respected and addressed by the healthcare team.
7. Documentation and record keeping: They maintain accurate and detailed records of patient care, treatments and progress for legal, ethical and medical purposes.

Paramedic vs. Nurse Salary

You may also be wondering if you will earn more money by pursuing a career in nursing. In May 2023, paramedics had a median annual wage of $44,780, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).¹¹

Even though the position requires additional academic work and education, registered nurses had a median annual wage of $86,070 in May 2023, according to the BLS.¹² Job growth for paramedics and registered nurses is projected to grow by an estimated 6% from 2023 to 2033, according to the BLS.^13,14

Nurses can work in several types of healthcare settings, including:

• Hospitals (pediatrics, intensive care, telemetry, surgical and emergency rooms)
• Medical clinics 
• Schools and university health centers 
• Correctional facilities 
• Research facilities 
• Home health and long-term care
• Travel nursing 

Make the Shift From Paramedic to Nurse at GCU

Transitioning from a paramedic to RN may help you pursue career growth, a higher earning potential and a more controlled work environment. While both professions share a commitment to patient care, the nursing field offers more diverse job opportunities, higher salaries and the possibility to specialize in various medical areas. If you’re ready for a change that builds on your current skills, becoming an RN might be the next step in your healthcare career.

With GCU, you can leverage your existing education and training as a paramedic to become a registered nurse in as few as 16 months in our ABSN program.¹⁰ Fill out the form on this page to learn more.