Best Paramedic to RN Programs – 2026

Last Updated On Jun 24, 2026

Expert Verified: Jessica Guzzetti, MBA, BSN, RN, CCHP-RN

9 Min Read

2027 Best Paramedic to RN Programs

Registered nursing is a rewarding career, and paramedics already have valuable medical skills. For those looking to bridge their experience, finding the right program matters. registerednursing.org has evaluated paramedic to RN programs across the country to help you make an informed choice. The rankings consider factors like curriculum, clinical rotations, and support for working students. Each program is assessed for its ability to transition paramedics into registered nurses smoothly. Whether you want a quick bridge or a more comprehensive degree, the list highlights top options. Check out the methodology to see exactly how these programs are ranked: https://www.registerednursing.org/rankings-methodology/

Eastern Florida State College

Melbourne, FL - Public 4-Year - easternflorida.edu

Associate - Transition to Associate Degree Nursing RN

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Eastern Florida State College offers a 13-month hybrid ADN transition track specifically for Florida-licensed paramedics, LPNs, and respiratory therapists. This accelerated program grants advanced standing, acknowledging prior healthcare experience while focusing on transition nursing theory, critical care, and maternal-newborn-pediatric nursing. Students complete 72 credit hours and participate in clinical rotations across Brevard County, with schedules spanning early morning to evening. The limited-access program requires daytime attendance and a specialized application. Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree and are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN. ACEN-accredited with fall and spring start dates, the program also offers financial aid and scholarships, including Titan Scholarships, and serves as a pathway to an online RN-to-BSN program.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
13-Month program
72 total credit hours
2 start dates per year
Starts fall/spring
Work experience required
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
Financial aid available
Scholarships available
Advanced standing for licensed healthcare workers

Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR - Public 4-Year - astate.edu

Associate - Paramedic to AASN

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Arkansas State University offers a hybrid Paramedic to AASN bridge designed specifically for working paramedics seeking RN licensure. The ACEN-accredited curriculum totals 66 credit hours, combining online theory with hands-on clinical experiences. Applicants must hold a 2.5 minimum GPA and complete prerequisite coursework. The program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN. Students build on emergency care experience while studying nursing fundamentals, patient care, and healthcare leadership. Career opportunities include bedside nursing, case management, public health, and long-term care supervision. With state-of-the-art facilities, financial aid, and scholarships available, this military-friendly fast-track supports a seamless transition from paramedic to registered nurse.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
66 total credit hours
2.5 GPA minimum
Prerequisite courses required
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
Financial aid available
Scholarships available
Seamless transition from paramedic to RN
Hybrid in-person and online coursework
Approved by Arkansas State Board of Nursing

Laredo College

Laredo, TX - Public 4-Year - laredo.edu

Associate - Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing Transition Track (LVN/Paramedic to RN) (Paramedic to RN)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Laredo College's Paramedic to RN track is an 18-month, 60-credit Associate of Applied Science pathway for Texas paramedics holding an AAS from an accredited EMS program. Spring admission only. The curriculum layers advanced adult health, pharmacology, mental health, OB/peds, microbiology, and A&P onto existing paramedic knowledge, with clinicals across med-surg, mental health, and maternal-child settings and a capstone finale. Graduates achieve a 97.87% NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024) and 100% job placement. TEAS entrance exam and a 2.5 GPA are required. ACEN-accredited and Texas BON-approved. Tuition totals about $10,000; RN salaries start near $86,000.

ACEN accredited
2 concentration options
Entrance exam required
Exams: TEAS
$10,000 total program tuition
18-Month program
60 total credit hours
1 start dates per year
Starts spring
98% licensure pass rate

Kent State University

Kent, OH - Public 4-Year - kent.edu

Associate - Nursing ADN Program (Paramedic to ADN)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Kent State University's Paramedic to ADN track is a campus-based completer program designed for certified paramedics seeking an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. Building on emergency medical expertise, the curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care across hospitals, clinics, communities, and home health settings. Coursework covers communication, leadership, legal and ethical practice, quality improvement, and healthcare technology. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN and pursue entry-level registered nursing positions. The ADN program holds approval from the Ohio Board of Nursing and accreditation from ACEN. Classes are delivered at the Twinsburg Academic Center, with the paramedic track beginning in spring 2027.

Ohio Board of Nursing, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
3 concentration options
Starts spring
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
Offered at Kent State Twinsburg
Completer program for certified paramedics
Focus on communities and hospitals
Accredited by ACEN
Leadership and nursing care management skills

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ - Private 4-year - gcu.edu

Associate - Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Pre-Licensure, Accelerated (Bridge)

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Grand Canyon University's accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) pre-licensure program features a bridge concentration for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree. The hybrid format blends online didactic coursework with in-person clinical rotations, offering flexibility for working adults. This military-friendly program does not require ACT or SAT entrance exams; admission instead emphasizes prerequisite course completion and cumulative GPA. Designed to fast-track students into nursing, the curriculum prepares graduates to take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and pursue entry-level nursing positions. The accelerated structure allows students to earn their BSN in a condensed timeframe compared to traditional programs, making it an efficient pathway for career changers.

El Paso Community College

El Paso, TX - Public 2-Year - epcc.edu

Associate - Nursing - Paramedic to RN Transition Option

Campus Based - Visit Website

El Paso Community College offers a Paramedic to RN Transition Option designed for certified paramedics ready to advance their careers as registered nurses. This campus-based program leverages students' field experience, focusing on nursing theory, health assessment, and clinical skills. The curriculum integrates critical thinking and patient care across diverse healthcare settings, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN. Applicants typically need current paramedic certification and completion of prerequisite general education courses. The transition format allows experienced providers to build upon existing knowledge, accelerating progress toward nursing licensure. Interested students should contact the department for specific admission criteria, course sequencing, and clinical placement requirements.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Perkinston, MS - Public 2-Year - mgccc.edu

Associate - EMS/Paramedic to RN (Hybrid)

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College offers a hybrid paramedic-to-RN bridge that lets nationally registered paramedics earn an ADN while working. Online lectures combine with in-person labs and clinicals scheduled evenings and weekends. Students complete summer transition coursework, receive nine semester credits for prior EMS education, and enter directly into the third semester of the ADN program, bypassing the first year. The curriculum emphasizes client-centered care, evidence-based practice, safety, informatics, interprofessional collaboration, and professionalism. Applicants must take the TEAS entrance exam. The program is ACEN accredited, prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN, and careers in hospitals, clinics, and emergency settings. Eligible students benefit from grants covering standard fees and a discounted rate, saving up to $2,415.

ACEN accredited
Entrance exam required
Exams: TEAS
Starts summer
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
Financial aid available
Transition paramedic experience to RN role
Hybrid evening/weekend learning environment
Earn 9 credit hours for paramedic training
Bypass first-year ADN courses

Pellissippi State Community College

Knoxville, TN - Public 2-Year - pstcc.edu

Associate - Nursing (A.A.S.)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Pellissippi State Community College offers a fast-track Bridge to R.N. Pathway for licensed EMT-Ps and LPNs seeking an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. This 12-month hybrid program combines online lectures with on-campus testing, labs, and clinicals at Blount County, Magnolia Avenue, or Strawberry Plains locations. Building on prior emergency or practical nursing experience, the curriculum covers medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, women’s health, pediatrics, mental health, and professional practice, alongside anatomy, physiology, microbiology, statistics, and communication. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Accredited by ACEN, the program emphasizes evidence-based care and clinical decision-making. With a spring start and accelerated format, it’s designed for working professionals ready to advance their nursing careers.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
12-Month program
Starts spring
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
Hybrid: online lectures, onsite labs
Offered at three campuses
Graduates eligible for NCLEX-RN
Requires current unencumbered license

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Bentonville, AR - Public 2-Year - nwacc.edu

Associate - Paramedic to RN Bridge

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Designed for working Arkansas paramedics, this competitive hybrid bridge program transitions field experience into registered nursing in just three consecutive semesters. Students complete online coursework in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and nursing concepts while participating in clinical rotations scheduled during evenings, overnights, and weekends to accommodate shift work. Admission requires an unencumbered Arkansas paramedic license, a 2.75 GPA, and prerequisite courses with a C or better. The point-based selection process favors veterans with bonus points, and only 40 students per track are accepted. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN and careers in hospitals and specialty units. An entrance exam is required, making this program ideal for paramedics ready to advance.

Entrance exam required
3-Semester program
Starts spring
2.8 GPA minimum
0 letters of recommendation (minimum)
Prerequisite courses required
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
Classes are online
Clinicals in evenings, overnight, weekends
3 weeks clinicals in Arkansas

#10

South Plains College

Levelland, TX - Public 2-Year - southplainscollege.edu

Associate - LVN or Paramedic to RN Transition Advance Placement Program

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

At South Plains College, licensed vocational nurses and paramedics can pursue an accelerated, hybrid advancement pathway to registered nursing. This LVN-to-RN and paramedic-to-RN transition program blends online coursework with hands-on clinical experiences, accommodating professionals who are already working in healthcare. Building on prior clinical expertise, the curriculum fast-tracks students toward a registered nurse credential, opening opportunities in hospital bedsides and other direct-care roles. The dean of nursing highlights the program’s value for practicing professionals, and enrollment is open for those looking to elevate their nursing careers without abandoning their current jobs.

Bridge program for LVNs and paramedics
Accelerated hybrid program format
Leads to registered nurse career
Designed for working professionals

*National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2025. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

How Does a Paramedic Become an RN?

For a paramedic to become an RN, they must first possess a good deal of experience as a licensed professional paramedic, as many bridge programs require at least one year in order to be eligible for the RN bridge program. Beyond this, a prospective student must meet all the requirements to be accepted into and graduate from a classroom-based or online paramedic to RN bridge program. Upon successful completion of the program, a student will be eligible to take the proper examinations to gain licensure as an RN.

Education and Certifications

The paramedic to RN bridge program is tailor-made to help paramedics gain the education and training they need to transition into a nursing career. They are typically accelerated transitional programs that build upon a paramedic's existing medical knowledge. Students will be introduced to nursing theory, patient care planning, mental health nursing, and more via courses and clinical experiences. Once the program is completed, the student will typically be awarded an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) (or in some cases a BSN) and can then take the NCLEX-RN exam to become certified as a registered nurse. If this exam is passed, an RN license will be granted through the Board of Nursing in the student's state.

Are There Paramedic to RN Bridge Programs Online?

Paramedics interested in becoming RNs as swiftly as possible can opt to take an online paramedic to RN training program via credit-by-examination. This unique fast-track program allows students to get full credit for college courses through standardized exams. For busy working paramedics, the flexibility of this option may be of paramount importance, as students can work at their own pace and access the program anytime, from anywhere. The credits gained from these affordable programs can then be transferred to a variety of accredited colleges nationwide.

Paramedic to RN Bridge Program Requirements

While each school may have its own set of specific requirements, most paramedic to RN bridge programs require the following in order to gain admittance:

High school diploma or GED
Transcripts from all high schools, colleges, and universities attended
Completion of a variety of prerequisite courses with a grade of B or higher
Copy of current, valid and unrestricted state or National Paramedic Registry Certificate
Minimum of one year of paramedic work experience within the last 3 years
Professional references
HESI test results with satisfactory scores
Proof of up-to-date immunizations and CPR certification

Paramedic to RN Classes and Courses

Students enrolled in a paramedic to RN bridge program can expect to take a variety of nursing courses designed to expand upon existing healthcare knowledge. Both academic classes and clinical experiences are utilized as a part of the curriculum. For example, Texas' Hill College structures its paramedic to RN program into three semesters. Semester 1 introduces the paramedic to registered nursing, semester 2 involves classes on comprehensive nursing care for diverse patients across the lifespan, and semester 3 focuses on applying client assessment and critical thinking skills.

To provide another example of a paramedic to RN curriculum, Dyersburg State Community College in Tennessee offers the following courses as part of its program:

Transition to Professional Practice
Fundamentals of Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Women's Health and Childbearing Family
Pediatric Nursing
Professional Practice in Nursing

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Length and Cost of Paramedic to RN Bridge Programs

Due to their accelerated status, most paramedic to RN bridge programs can be completed in 12-16 months. For example, Illinois' Parkland College program can be completed in three semesters of 11-14 credit hours per semester, after prerequisite courses have been taken. Many students find that they can complete the program with 1 year of dedicated study.

With only a few semesters of study needed to complete the program from start to finish, paramedic to RN bridge programs tend to be relatively affordable. For those struggling with finances, financial aid and scholarships are available. The estimated total cost of the paramedic to RN bridge program at Southern Union State Community College in Alabama, for example, is roughly $8,292, which includes tuition, fees, and course materials. Program fees can and will vary from school to school, so students should inquire about all related expenses from the school of their choice.

Job Outlook for Paramedics Becoming RNs

The employment outlook is extremely favorable for new grad RNs. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 7% growth for the profession through 2029. Students who have gone through the paramedic to RN program have the special advantage of being able to draw on their prior experience in the medical field, particularly in emergency and trauma situations. This may make them more desirable hires for hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare offices, as employers may prefer candidates with prior experience. With the aging population comes a growing need for highly skilled RNs, and those with paramedic experience have the foundation to gain employment in a wide variety of settings.

Potential RN Careers

Once a paramedic completes the bridge program and gains licensure as an RN, they will be poised to hold a variety of rewarding nursing jobs, including (but not limited to):

Keep in mind that some of these specialty nursing careers do require additional certification. RNs can work in hospitals, clinics, medical centers, nursing homes, schools, home health agencies, and other environments. RNs with a paramedic background may be particularly suited for roles that include emergency or trauma care.

Paramedic to RN Salary Comparison

While paramedics and registered nurses both have rewarding careers, RNs come out on top when it comes to salary. As of May 2020, paramedics in the country earn between $24,650 and $62,150 annually, with a median annual wage of $36,650. Once a paramedic completes training to become an RN, however, they can earn between $53,410 and $116,230, with a median annual wage of $75,330. This is why many paramedics looking to expand their careers are choosing to invest in a paramedic to RN bridge program; the increased earning potential makes it a worthwhile endeavor.