EMTs can transition into nursing by earning a degree from an accredited nursing school and passing the NCLEX exam. Before enrolling in nursing school, there are several prerequisites and qualifications to meet. Burnout, better salaries, and career advancement opportunities push many EMTs to become nurses.
As an emergency medical technician (EMT), you have a particular set of skills that enable you to help people in crisis effectively. You have medical training and real-world experience, where you follow safety procedures, use empathy, and make decisions in high-stress situations. You know how to put patients at ease and help them on their worst days.
Furthering your career by becoming a registered nurse (RN) could be a natural transition for you. Discover how you can make that career change and what the requirements are.
How to Transition from EMT to RN
The first step in moving from EMT to RN is to earn a nursing degree. If you have a bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits, the University of St. Thomas’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will allow you to earn your nursing degree in as few as 12 months. This hybrid program includes online coursework, in-person skills labs, and clinical rotations at Houston, Texas-area healthcare facilities.
Understanding the EMT to Nursing Pathway
Nursing school, especially an accelerated program, is challenging, but the medical experience you’ve gained as an EMT will help you succeed. Once you have earned your degree, you will be ready to sit for the NCLEX licensing exam.
Types of nursing degrees
As you consider which type of nursing program to enroll in, note several degree levels exist. They include:
- Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Both ASN and BSN programs typically include nursing theory, skills labs, and clinicals. Graduates from either can take the NCLEX and apply for a license. Regardless of the degree, the program you attend should be accredited.
Studies have shown that lifetime earnings for nurses with a bachelor’s degree are higher than those with an associate’s degree.
A typical BSN program is a four-year degree; however, accelerated programs like the one at the University of St. Thomas leverage your prior education and allow you to complete your studies in as few as 12 months.
There are different types and levels of nursing to consider.
The Benefits of an EMT Background in Nursing
As you consider a career change from EMT to nurse, know that having an EMT background in nursing could set you apart. EMTs typically are the first to respond to medical emergencies like heart attacks, seizures, car crashes, and more. There are several overlapping tasks that EMTs and nurses perform, such as:
- Administering first aid
- Assessing patients
- Monitoring vital signs
- Opening airways
- Performing CPR
EMTs study medical terminology, anatomy, pharmacology, basic life support, medical and legal issues, workplace wellness, and other topics.
All the above topics and skills will be useful to have in your knowledge toolkit as a nurse.
EMT to Registered Nurse: Why Nursing Prerequisites Matter
Accelerated BSN degree programs like the University of St. Thomas’s require you to complete certain courses before enrollment. These nursing prerequisites matter because they allow students to build a strong foundation for their main coursework.
UST’s admissions advisors can help you determine what prerequisites you need.
Key Nursing Prerequisites for EMTs
Different schools might require different prerequisites, but they all typically relate to the health sciences and mathematics. Students often must earn a “C” or higher grade and complete the courses within a certain timeframe, such as within the past five to ten years.
UST prerequisites include:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II
- Microbiology
- Algebra or Statistics
- Nutrition (recommended)
The admissions advisor can review your academic history and transcripts to determine which credits will transfer and help you plan to complete any prerequisites before your desired start date.
The Role of Nursing Prerequisites in EMT to RN Programs
Many accelerated nursing programs require prerequisites before entering because having certain knowledge will help you be more successful on this intensive pathway.
Because of this fast pace, there is no time for general education classes. Prerequisites are required to ensure students are ready to tackle nursing-focused courses right out of the gate.
See why a BSN in nursing is important for your career.
Why Do EMTs Become Nurses?
The reasons why people decide to become nurses vary, but many choose this challenging yet rewarding profession because they desire to help people. As an EMT, you likely already have that desire.
Anecdotal studies have shown, however, that EMTs can experience burnout due to the high-stress nature of their jobs. A survey of emergency medical service personnel at agencies in South Carolina learned that the median burnout level was 35%. The results showed that time pressure and other job demands were associated with increased burnout.
Perhaps that stress is one factor that leads some EMTs to consider nursing, which allows them to stay in the healthcare field and opens doors to new opportunities and specialties.
Is an RN Higher Than an EMT?
Professionally, RNs are at a higher level than EMTs in terms of education and scope of practice. According to an annual Gallup poll, nurses are among the most trusted professions. Nursing is also more flexible, with various available shifts, settings, and specialties.
In addition, the earnings potential for a nurse is much greater. RNs in the U.S. earn a median annual wage of $86,070, says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Meanwhile, the annual median salary for EMTs is $44,780.
Career Advancements and Expanded Opportunities
With nursing, you could advance your career in many ways, from specialty certifications to graduate degrees. You could specialize in areas like pediatrics, mental health, or surgery.
A few of the many certifications you could pursue include:
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Advanced Diabetes Management
- Clinical Research Associate
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator
- Pediatric Emergency Nurse
- Wound Care
There is no shortage of opportunity, as nurses will continue to be in demand. The BLS expects the employment of registered nurses to grow 6% between 2022 and 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
What to Expect in Nursing School
Nursing school is demanding. An equally demanding ABSN program is immersive and designed to help you start working as a capable and confident nurse sooner.
Through UST’s hybrid learning model, you’ll learn nursing theory concepts through online coursework and apply that knowledge during in-person skills labs and clinical rotations. Components include:
- Curriculum: You will complete 58 credit hours over three full-time semesters during our 12-month ABSN program.
- Online coursework: Courses cover key nursing concepts, and students can benefit from the flexibility of online learning.
- Skills labs: Students hone their nursing skills and clinical judgment using high-tech medical manikins at sites in Houston, Shenandoah, and Sugar Land, Texas.
- Clinical rotations: Students put their skills into practice by participating in supervised clinical rotations at Houston-area healthcare facilities. They will be exposed to specialties like adult health, community health, obstetrics, and more.
Contact a UST admissions advisor to begin your transition from EMT to nursing today.