LPN to RN

Paramedic Transition to Nursing - Taking a new role in patient care

Paramedics have been extensively trained in emergency medical care of patients, and have proven to society that they are capable of providing quality medical care in stressful and unstable situations. Their responses take them into unknown situations, and sometimes even life threatening for the responders. They have learned to overcome adverse weather conditions, hostile patients, dangerous traffic conditions, and have a proven track record of quick responses at any time during the day or night. Now, they are taking on new challenges in patient care in hospitals, long term care facilities, physician's offices, clinics, and specialized treatment facilities.

As the role of a Paramedic evolves, more and more Paramedics are making the transition into more controlled healthcare scenarios. Although many Paramedics continue to maintain their current training certification, others are taking the next step in their education by transitioning into nursing careers. Pay rates and skill limitations on Paramedics are forcing them to gain higher educational backgrounds, and many Paramedics are choosing nursing as their career goal. By obtaining a degree in nursing, a Paramedic can increase their earnings and also offer their patients a higher level of care. This helps the Paramedic find a more prosperous career and allows them to better treat the patients they come in contact with, as well as help the healthcare industry with the severe nursing shortage it is currently fighting.

The average Paramedic in the United States makes between $25,000 and $50,000 per year. Unless they are employed by municipal owned departments, such as fire departments, governmental agencies, or hospitals, most do not receive great health insurance benefits. Privately owned ambulance services, and services contracted by cities and counties usually cannot afford to offer much in the way of benefit packages to their employees. For this reason, Paramedics are finding the transition to nursing much more appealing than a life long career in emergency medicine "On the street". After transitioning over to the nursing industry, a former Paramedic can enjoy benefits offered by hospitals, and other large healthcare organizations, as well as a substantial increase in base salary.

Paramedics have a long standing history of being very efficient learners. As requirement for their jobs, they must spend countless hours of continuing education, and then use that knowledge to make very quick judgments and fast actions when dealing with patients. It is because of the proven ability of Paramedics and their lengthy educational history that many accredited schools are now offering Paramedics a great deal of credit towards an RN degree. A Paramedic can enter into the RN program, and use their educational background towards their degree, and be granted college credits based on their existing certifications.

For many years, Paramedics have demonstrated great abilities in healthcare. It is obvious that they are more than capable of providing quality medical needs to patients, and their dedication has earned a high place in medicine.