Making a career change from EMT to nurse opens the door to higher salary potential and even better work/life balance. Plus, EMT skills like patient stabilization readily translate to an RN career. Make the switch from EMT to RN by earning your nursing degree and passing the NCLEX.
If you’re an EMT thinking of making a career change, you’re not alone. The turnover rate for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) nationally is between 20 and 30%. EMTs have been leaving the profession for many reasons, including low pay and poor work/life balance. Consider transferring your skills and changing from EMT to nurse.
Leveraging your prior education makes it easier to transition careers, especially when switching from EMT to nursing programs. At Madonna University, our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program allows you to graduate in as few as 16 months, and you don’t even need a completed college degree to get started.
Executing any career transition requires careful planning. Explore more about the nursing profession, how your EMS skills can transfer, the steps to becoming a nurse and answers to common questions.
Why EMTs Make Great Registered Nurses
Many students enter nursing school without prior healthcare knowledge, so having some healthcare experience is helpful. As a working EMT, you already understand the basics of patient triage and assessment, along with stabilization and patient interactions.
EMTs possess many skills that help become a registered nurse (RN), including:
- Ability to perform basic medical procedures, including airway management
- Ability to stay calm in high-pressure situations
- Communication with patients, family members and team members
- Critical thinking
- Decision-making
- Medical terminology knowledge
- Teamwork
Currently, your professional focus is on stabilizing patients until they can receive advanced medical care at an emergency room or trauma center. If you switch from EMT to RN, you’ll dive deeper into patient care, from assessment to treatment, discharge and follow-up.
With our ABSN program, you can put your EMT skills to good use as you dive deeper into medical science and patient care skills.
There are different levels of nursing, and each has different career requirements.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Change Careers From EMT to Nursing
Before diving into your EMT-to-nurse career change, you should know the process. It all starts with heading back to school to earn a nursing degree.
Earn a BSN
Those without any prior college education can expect to spend four years in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. However, you can put your previous college credits towards an Accelerated BSN program if you have a non-nursing bachelor's degree. At Madonna University, we also welcome applicants with 60 or more non-nursing college credits.
If you’re eligible for our ABSN program, you could graduate in as few as 16 months over four consecutive semesters. Plus, we offer start dates in the spring, summer and fall, so you can get started sooner after completing any needed prerequisites.
Hybrid Curriculum
Madonna University’s ABSN program offers a hybrid approach for greater lifestyle flexibility. You can complete your nursing theory coursework online and commute to our ABSN Learning Site to complete the experiential learning components. These include nursing skills and simulation labs, in which you’ll develop essential nursing skills and practice handling various patient care scenarios, from allergic reactions to heart attacks.
Despite being online, the coursework portion of our program is designed to engage students using various forms of media. Instead of requiring rote memorization, you will use video and task-based simulations to reinforce learned concepts. You will also have the support of faculty, online learning specialists and all of the same resources as Madonna’s on-campus students.
Clinical Experience
You’ll also have a series of clinical rotations at healthcare facilities nearby. During these clinicals, you’ll provide direct patient care under supervision. You’ll gain insight into various nursing specialties to understand which direction you’d like your career to follow. Some nursing specialties you might work in include:
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Mental health
- Obstetrics
- Pediatrics
ADN vs. BSN: Discover the differences between these two nursing degree options.
Take the NCLEX-RN and Get a Nursing License
In Michigan, you can apply for a temporary RN license after completing all the requirements necessary to sit for the licensure exam. This allows you to apply to nursing jobs even before taking the NCLEX. It’s best, however, to take the NCLEX as soon as possible after graduating from nursing school, as everything you’ve learned will be fresh in your mind. Once you’ve passed the licensure exam, you can apply for your permanent nursing license.
Gain Clinical Experience in Your Specialty
By this point in your nursing journey, you may have a general idea of the nursing specialty you’d like to pursue. Begin applying for jobs in your specialty area to gain clinical experience. If you’re interested in a nursing specialty that is most like emergency medical services, consider the following:
- Emergency room nursing
- Intensive care unit (ICU) nursing
- Trauma center nursing
- Urgent care nursing
After gaining some clinical experience, you might even want to transition into a career working on emergency medical evacuation flights.
There are plenty of other options to consider if you prefer a slower pace of work with the potential for better work/life balance. These include:
- Dermatology nursing
- Home healthcare nursing
- Hospice care
- Nurse educator
- Occupational health nursing
- School nursing
EMT to Nursing Programs: Career Change FAQs
Before making the switch from EMT to nursing, it’s essential to research this path. The admissions representatives at Madonna University are always happy to answer your questions.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse?
The length of time required to become an RN depends on your prior background. If you have no college education, you’ll need to spend four years in a traditional BSN program. Then, you can take the NCLEX, usually within a couple of months after graduation.
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits and meet the other eligibility requirements, you could earn your nursing degree in as few as 16 months from Madonna University. This does not include the time required to complete any needed prerequisites. Your admissions representative will determine which, if any, prerequisites you’ll need to take.
How Much Do RNs Make Compared to EMTs?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), EMTs made a median annual salary of $38,930 as of May 2023. The BLS states that all types of RNs made a median yearly salary of $86,070 as of May 2023.
If, after making the switch from EMT to nurse, you decide to pursue career advancement as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you stand to command higher earning potential. Most APRNs made a median annual salary of $129,480 as of May 2023.
Can I Work as an EMT While Attending Nursing School?
If you’re attending a four-year nursing school, working as an EMT might be feasible. ABSN programs, however, require a much more intensive, rapid pace because they allow you to graduate more quickly. Because of this, we do not recommend working while attending Madonna’s ABSN program.
However, some ABSN students do work part-time or per diem while attending nursing school. If you decide to try it, you’ll need to have a frank conversation with your employer about your scheduling needs. If work begins to interfere with your progress in nursing school, you may need to reconsider your decision to work while attending classes and labs.
Benefit From Madonna’s Values-Based Education
Since 1937, Madonna University has focused on delivering quality education to future leaders. Our graduates are different because of our values-based education built on our Catholic and Franciscan beliefs. Our supportive faculty members are committed to nurturing your intellectual, spiritual and personal growth as you work toward a career in service to your community.
Contact our admission representatives today to take the next step toward your career transition.