Read time 5 minutes
Published on Dec 18, 2024
Read time 5 minutes
Published on Dec 18, 2024
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Approved and verified accurate by the dean of the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions on Nov. 25, 2024.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
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:
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
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.
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:
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 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:
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:
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
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.
