Paramedic vs. RN: What’s the Difference?
Both registered nurses (RNs) and paramedics help keep patients alive — they assess, administer CPR, and give life-saving medications. But while they share some job duties, their education and scope of practice are actually quite different. And if you’re considering a career in medicine, one might be a better fit for you than the other. Let’s break down paramedic vs. RN education, scope of practice, and salary.
What Is a Registered Nurse?
Did you know that one in five healthcare workers are RNs? Nurses can work in a broad range of settings, including post-acute and acute care. They assess patients, manage care plans in coordination with other team members, administer daily and emergent medications, and give patient education.
Registered nurses can work in these settings and more:
- Aesthetics offices
- Community health
- Emergency rooms
- Home health agencies
- Inpatient units (such as med-surg and intensive care)
- Medical and legal consulting firms
- Medical examiner’s offices
- Operating rooms
- Surgical centers
What Is a Paramedic?
Paramedics are specially trained first responders who give emergency care outside the hospital. If you get into a car accident and an ambulance comes to evaluate you, you’ll likely be seen by a paramedic or EMT (emergency medical technician). Paramedics perform initial patient assessments, transport patients to and from facilities, and stabilize patients when they need emergency care.
Here are some of the areas where paramedics can work:
- Emergency medical services agencies
- Hospitals
- Fire departments
- Search and rescue teams
- Military and law enforcement
- Industrial and occupational settings
- Event medical services, such as concerts and sporting events
- Air ambulance services
RN vs. Paramedic: Education
The first difference between RNs and paramedics is the education that each professional goes through before being able to practice. Check out our table for the key differences in education between these two professionals:
| Paramedics | Registered Nurses | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Education Options | Complete a paramedic program, typically 6–12 months long | May complete: |
| Program Focus | Emphasizes emergency medical care and pre-hospital interventions, preparing students to provide rapid and effective treatment in critical situations. | Focuses on comprehensive patient care across various healthcare settings, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to promote health, prevent illness, and manage complex medical conditions. |
| Prerequisite Program Requirements |
|
ADN and BSN programs typically require:
|
| Clinical Training | Program-specific | ADN and BSN programs typically require 400 hours or more |
| Licensure Exam | State-specific, but the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) offers a nationwide certification | RNs take the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN) |
Paramedic vs. RN: Scope of Practice
A professional’s scope of practice defines the tasks and responsibilities they perform in their role. Nurses and paramedics perform some of the same skills, but there are several differences in their scope. Paramedic skills focus on stabilizing patients and meeting their immediate needs. Nurses can work in more varied settings, so they do a wider range of tasks than the average paramedic.
What can nurses do that paramedics cannot? And what tasks can a paramedic perform that RNs don’t have the training for? Specific answers will depend on your state’s practice act, but here’s a table for your reference:
| Paramedics | Registered Nurses | |
|---|---|---|
| Inserting IVs and initiating IV medication per orders | Yes | Yes |
| Inserting artificial airways | Yes | No |
| Leading the EMS team in the field | Yes | No |
| Giving emergency medications per standing orders | Yes | Typically, no |
| Inserting urinary catheters | No | Yes |
| Making recommendations for the overall patient care plan | Typically, no | Yes |
| Assisting a patient with daily medications | Typically, no | Yes |
Paramedic vs. RN: Salary Differences
Another major difference between nurses and paramedics is their earning potential. The average RN salary in the U.S. is $94,480 per year. Meanwhile, the average salary for paramedics is $57,450 per year.
Paramedic vs. RN: Which One Is Right For You?
Not sure which career path is right for you? Consider these guiding questions are you’re making this decision:
What type of healthcare environment do you prefer?
Paramedics often work in pre-hospital settings, responding to emergencies and providing immediate medical care. RNs typically work in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities, providing ongoing patient care and management.
How do you feel about autonomy while making decisions for patients?
Paramedics often work independently in the field, making quick decisions in emergency situations. RNs have a wider scope of practice, but they typically work within a healthcare team where they confer with physicians and other care providers. If you want to find a nursing role with more autonomy, consider learning how to become a nurse practitioner.
What types of patient issues do you want to help with?
RNs are involved in the ongoing care and management of patients with a broad range of conditions, while paramedics primarily focus on providing immediate care to stabilize patients in emergency situations.
What are your long-term career goals?
Paramedics can advance their careers through more skills training and leadership. RNs have a broader range of career options, including:
Are you comfortable with the potential for exposure to traumatic situations?
Both nursing and paramedic work can expose you to trauma. But paramedics frequently respond to traumatic injuries, critical illnesses, and other high-stress situations in everyday locations. RNs may also encounter emergencies, but in a more controlled hospital environment.
How important are job growth and career advancement to you?
The job outlook for both nurses and paramedics is promising. In the next decade, the number of registered nurses is projected to increase by 6%, while the paramedic and EMT profession is projected to grow by 5%.
Nursing also provides a wider range of job opportunities and career advancement potential in specialty areas. Growth opportunities for paramedics are typically more limited, and can vary based on location and employer.
Have you considered the physical demands of the job?
Both paramedics and RNs may have physically demanding tasks, such as lifting patients or standing for long periods. But paramedics work in less predictable environments, with less support staff, so their role tends to have more physical demands.
Thinking About a Career Change?
If you’d like to explore your options as you decide between paramedic vs. RN roles, IntelyCare has fresh opportunities for nursing professionals. Sign up for nursing job notifications to start seeing open positions in your inbox.