Paramedic/Associates of Applied Science.

[FFPRN16]

I have a Question Regarding the Associates of applied science Degree. I am Currently In a Paramedic Course and at the end of the course i will have a AAS Degree. after completion of paramedic school i want to do the paramedic to RN Bridge I recently found out the Bridge gives you the Same AAS Degree in one years time my question is can i make it a Bachelors Degree sense both of them give you a AAS Degree. my end plan is to have my Paramedic/ RN,MSN

Thanks Guys.

 

[STXmedic]

A BS is not just to AAS's. If you already have an AAS in Paramedicine, and you want to get your BSN, you'll be closer as you won't have to take as many of the lower level classes, but you'll still need the higher level classes for the BSN. You may still even need a few different lower level classes. @Akulahawk could probably provide more info on what you'd be missing and how long it would take. But no, a BS is not the equivalent of two AAS degrees. You'll just have two AAS degrees.

 

[Alan L Serve]

I never found the AS in applied science as a paramedic to be useful. It doesn't help with jobs and it definitely doesn't give me any more "credit". Don't waste your money on an associates degree in paramedic studies but rather go for the nursing associates degree. That will give you actual skills and a way better income.

 

[SunshineCamo]

Like STX said, two Associate don't make a Bachelors. Especially for something like a Bach. of Science in Nursing where the graduate level classes are (as I understand it) pretty specific to the job. So after you bridge from Paramedic to RN, you'll have to work on completing your BSN. But by the end of it you'll have three degrees, and that's kind of neat.

 

[Akulahawk]

I have a Question Regarding the Associates of applied science Degree. I am Currently In a Paramedic Course and at the end of the course i will have a AAS Degree. after completion of paramedic school i want to do the paramedic to RN Bridge I recently found out the Bridge gives you the Same AAS Degree in one years time my question is can i make it a Bachelors Degree sense both of them give you a AAS Degree. my end plan is to have my Paramedic/ RN,MSN

Thanks Guys.

An AAS is not exactly equivalent to an AS. The GE requirements are not as "full" as what's required for an AS degree. If you're looking to earn a BSN and you don't already have a Bachelors, your best bet to earn the BSN is to get into a BSN program. A traditional program will be your best bet for earning a degree (and education to go along with it) and pass the NCLEX and be able to transfer (endorse) your license to other states. A good BSN program should also prepare you sufficiently for entry to an MSN program should you choose that. Just know that some MSN programs require experience as an RN, some do not. Education as an MSN is going to be fairly specialized so changing careers outside the field you studied for your MSN.

I wouldn't choose an RN education path that resulted in an AAS. I would personally choose a degree path that leads to a traditional Associates (not just an "applied degree") or leads to a BSN. You'll still have your Paramedicine AAS and that'll be good knowledge and experience but it won't count for anything when it comes to applying for nursing jobs.