[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Registered nurses and paramedics interact when transferring patients into an emergency department. Both roles are critical parts of acute patient care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The roles overlap in responsibilities but differ in education, salary, and work setting. Find out which career is the best fit for you.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Registered Nurse and Paramedic Key Similarities and Differences[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Registered nurses and paramedics both provide life-saving care to patients in the acute care setting. Both careers require a BLS-CPR certification and a license from your state to practice, and the time it takes to attain a paramedic and nursing degree can be similar. However, they have some key differences.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Paramedics spend about two years in training compared to the 2-4 years that registered nurses spend earning their degrees. (Paramedics can also earn a four-year bachelor’s degree in topics including paramedicine or emergency management.) However, registered nurses have more options for work settings, higher average annual salaries, and more responsibilities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-table]Comparison of Registered Nurses and Paramedics[hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Registered Nurse[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Paramedic[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Degree Required[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell]Associate degree in nursing (ADN) | Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) (preferred)[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurse”]An associate degree or bachelor’s degree may be required[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Certification Options[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell]State- or [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/nursing-compact-states/#nlc-overview”]nurse licensure compact [/hen-ui-link](NLC)- issued RN license | CPR-BLS certification[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurse”]State-issued paramedic license | Paramedic certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) | CPR-BLS certificationACLS Certification[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Recertification Options[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell]Complete the working hours and continuing education [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/rn-licensing-requirements-by-state/#:~:text=To%20apply%20for%20renewal%2C%20each,30%20hours%20of%20continuing%20education.”]your state requires[/hen-ui-link] AND Apply for license renewal through their state[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurse”]Pass the exam for recertification for paramedics OR Complete 60 hours of continuing education[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Work Settings[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell]Hospitals and outpatient care centers[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurse”]Ambulance services, emergency departments, and local government[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Duties and Responsibilities[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Examines and treat patients[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Teaches patients and their families how to to care for themselves[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Works with other healthcare professions to create and carry out care plans[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Observes patients and reports their observations[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Records patients’ medical histories[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurse”][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Decides where to take the patient for the best care[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Leads the EMS team in the field[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Gives life support and first-aid[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Documents and reports treats they give[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Responds to 911 calls[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Annual Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell]$93,600[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurse”]$58,410[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Duties and Responsibilities[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Paramedics and registered nurses share some of the same responsibilities such as giving medication, taking patient histories, examining and treating patients, and reporting their observations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Registered nurses have more responsibilities, more variety in possible work settings, and more involvement in the care planning process.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Education and Certification[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Whether you want to become an RN or a paramedic, you need a high school diploma and CPR-BLS certification. RNs and paramedics both have to take a licensing exam to get a license to practice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Both roles have to apply for license renewal and complete continuing education to renew their license every few years.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Deciding which career path you want depends on how much time you want to spend in school.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Salary and Career Outlook[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Registered nurses make about $35,000 more annually than paramedics. Salaries for both careers can vary based on experiences, skills, and location.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job growth that is slightly higher than average for both registered nurses (5% growth) and paramedics (5% growth).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Registered Nurse vs. Paramedic: Which Career is Right For Me?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Registered nurses and paramedics both provide essential care to patients in the acute care setting. They even perform many of the same duties.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Whether you want to become a registered nurse or a paramedic comes down to what you want for your annual salary, your responsibilities, your work setting, and your education timeline.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Registered nurses have more responsibilities and more options for work settings outside acute care. They also make a higher average annual salary than paramedics.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, paramedics spend less time in school, especially when you consider that registered nurses need a four-year BSN degree to pursue management positions and earn more money.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Salary:[/hen-ui-text] Registered nurses make about $35,000 more annually than paramedics. This comes out to more than $16 /hour for nurses than paramedics.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Education Timeline:[/hen-ui-text] Paramedics spend just under two years in school between their EMT and paramedic training. Registered nurses spend 2-4 years earning their degrees.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Work Setting:[/hen-ui-text] Registered nurses often work in hospitals and outpatient settings while paramedics most often work in the field or in an ambulance.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list]