New paramedic to RN program at Gateway Community & Technical College first of its kind in region
A new program at GCTC will allow certified paramedics to enroll in a program that provides a path to becoming a Registered Nurse. The specialized program is the first in the region and administrators hope to both improve the income potential for students and help area healthcare facilities address a nursing shortage.
Officials at Gateway Community & Technical College announced in April that a new program will launch in the fall of 2021, allowing a limited number of paramedics to enroll in courses that will help them transition to a career as a registered nurse. The college says that this is a common transition for paramedics who want to stay in the medical field and earn more as an RN. This program, the first of its kind in the region, will provide them with a streamlined path to that goal. Administrators are hopeful that the program can help address a regional nursing shortage.
According to a news release, applications are already being accepted for the new program, which will offer courses primarily at the Edgewood Campus, located across the street from St. Elizabeth Hospital. St. Elizabeth partners with GCTC already and hospital administrators are eager to expand the partnership. As Susan McDonald, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, said, "St. Elizabeth Healthcare has been pleased to partner with Gateway to provide Paramedic training for our community. We are looking forward to seeing this new innovative nursing education program in action."
Paramedics who complete this program and become registered nurses are likely to find a job market with many vacancies to fill. According to data published by the Kentucky Center for Statistics, healthcare employers in the state are likely to add over 2,500 nursing positions annually through 2024 and median annual salaries for those jobs are well over $50,000. Michele Simms, director of nursing at Gateway, advocates for pursuing a career in nursing, saying, "Nursing is one of the most rewarding and challenging careers a student can choose. This program will help current paramedics gain the knowledge they need to be successful registered nurses."
Because of the previous education, training, and experience that paramedics possess, ECTC says that students enrolled in the program will be able to complete it within three semesters.