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How to Go from EMT to Nursing: What You Need to Know
You can leverage your current skills and abilities and an EMT into a successful nursing career. Here's what you need to know about the transition.
Find your calling as a nurse
Thinking about making a career change from an emergency medical tech (EMT) to nursing? Making the leap from EMT to nurse is a rewarding career path that allows you to deepen your medical knowledge and directly impact patient care. Whether you choose to pursue a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN) path, your EMT experience provides a valuable foundation for your nursing education.
Here are five things you need to know about the transition from EMT to nursing:
- Duties and responsibilities
- Education requirements
- Licensing and certification
- Salary potential and job outlook
- Program pathways
1. Nursing duties and responsibilities
While both EMTs and nurses play crucial roles in healthcare, their responsibilities differ significantly. EMTs primarily focus on providing immediate medical care at the scene of an emergency, stabilizing patients, and transporting them to the hospital. Nurses, on the other hand, have a broader scope of practice, including administering medications, monitoring vital signs, assisting with procedures, educating patients, and coordinating care plans.
There are also differences between LPN and RN duties:
- LPNs perform basic nursing care, such as taking vital signs, collecting samples, and administering medications. LPNs usually work under the supervision of RNs and other medical professionals.
- RNs have a broader scope of practice, including developing patient care plans, performing diagnostic tests, and analyzing results and determining the best care outcomes. RNs may also monitor LPNs and provide guidance and mentoring.
There are also differences in where EMTs and nurses work. While both work in healthcare settings, EMTs tend to work in emergency medical services (EMS), where they provide pre-hospital emergency medical care and determine what the best next course of action is for the person in need.
LPNs and RNs, on the other hand, often work in hospitals, including the emergency room (ER), medical-surgical units, intensive care units, and maternity wards. They may also work in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, doctors’ offices, schools, and correctional facilities.
2. Nursing educational requirements
Having experience as an EMT can provide a good foundation for your nursing education. However, you will need to take additional courses as part of a college program to become an LPN or RN.
- LPN programs typically take 12 months and offer a diploma in licensed practical nursing. These programs prepare students to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN(R)).
- RN programs typically take two to four years depending on credits needed for graduation. You can earn an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) in about two years or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in about three to four years. After schooling is complete, you will need to take the national licensing exam to become a registered nurse.
Both LPN and RN preparation programs offer a mix of classroom learning—either in-person or online—as well as in-person clinicals, where students get hands-on experience assisting patients under an instructor’s supervision.
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3. Nursing licensing and certifications
EMTs and paramedics may have certifications, such as the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT). Nurses also have the option to pursue licensing and certifications to ensure they are fully prepared for their duties. Examples include:
NCLEX(R) (National Council Licensing Examination): After you have completed your nursing degree, you can sit for a licensing exam. There are two kinds: The NCLEX-PN(R) for licensed practical nurses and the NCLEX-RN(R) for registered nurses. These exams are an important step in becoming a practicing nurse. They evaluate nursing graduates’ knowledge and help ensure they are qualified to work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Nursing certifications: Nursing certifications can help you specialize in different areas of nursing based on your interest. There are all sorts of potential nursing specialties you may pursue with enough experience and education. Certification requirements vary widely by employer and specialty. You don’t need to decide this now – but keep in mind nursing provides the opportunity to follow a focus area of your choosing.
4. RN and LPN salary potential and job outlook
The average annual salary for registered nurses is $94,480 and $60,790 for licensed practical nurses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nurses who pursue certifications, graduate degrees, and post-graduate certificates may increase their earning potential, as well as their job opportunities.*
The job outlook for nurses is positive, thanks to an increasing demand for healthcare services and the need to replace retiring nurses. Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations.
5. Educational pathways to RN
Having experience as an EMT or medic offers a valuable foundation for starting a nursing program. There are several different potential entry points into a nursing degree program for potential students with diverse educational backgrounds.
The Herzing University School of Nursing offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs for students seeking a pathway to becoming an RN. We can help you go from where you are now to where you want to be.
Start your path from EMT to nursing
Transitioning from EMT or medic to nurse offers a unique opportunity to expand your clinical skills and explore a new career in healthcare.
With a broader scope of responsibilities, including patient care and administrative tasks, this transition can provide a rewarding and fulfilling path.
Start your pathway from EMT to nursing today!
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* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.