Pacific Union College’s Paramedic to RN Program Provides New Pathway for Students

Pacific Union College received approval in May 2023 from the California Board of Registered Nursing to expand its Napa campus offerings, especially since there is a growing interest among paramedics advancing their education and the ongoing demand for registered nurses. This expansion allows for the addition of nine EMT-P students annually to its already well-established LVN/ Med-Tech to RN program.

A key figure in the development of this pathway is Cori Carlson, a paramedic who advanced her own education by earning a Master of Science in Nursing and later teaching in a local paramedic program. Recognizing a significant gap in educational opportunities for paramedics seeking to transition into nursing, she approached Pacific Union College to explore the possibility of creating a dedicated pathway. Her vision and advocacy were instrumental in bringing the EMT-P to RN program to life. Today, Carlson continues to play a vital role as an adjunct faculty member, teaching the required seven-day EMT-P to RN Bridge course that prepares incoming students for the rigor and expectations of the nursing curriculum. Her continued involvement ensures that paramedic students are not only academically prepared but also supported in their successful transition into the RN role.

PUC is one of only two colleges in Northern California to offer EMT-Ps an advanced-placement pathway to earn an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), with the option to seamlessly continue into the RN-to-BSN program. EMT-P students integrate directly into the second year of the nursing curriculum alongside LVN/Med-Tech students, building on their prior clinical experience while advancing their scope of practice.

The EMT-P to RN program was designed to provide a flexible, non-traditional pathway that supports working professionals. Grounded in adult learning principles, the program allows students to continue balancing full-time employment, family responsibilities, and academic advancement. The curriculum is completed over three sessions spanning 18 months. Each session includes three “core weeks,” during which classroom instruction is held Sunday through Wednesday. Between these core weeks, students complete 12-hour clinical shifts, typically scheduled on Sundays.

This structure offers a thoughtful balance between academic rigor and real-world flexibility. Generous breaks between sessions allow students time to prepare for the next phase of the program, while the overall design minimizes disruption to work schedules. Although the program operates outside the traditional PUC quarter system, its session-based format enables students to maintain full-time employment while progressing through a rigorous nursing curriculum that meets all professional standards.

Accessibility is a defining strength of the program—not only in its format but also in its location. Prior to its development, paramedics in Northern California had extremely limited options, with only one comparable program located near the Oregon border. Many prospective students were forced to travel long distances or even relocate out of state to pursue their goals. By offering this pathway in Napa, PUC has significantly reduced those barriers, making advanced nursing education more attainable for paramedics across the Bay Area and Central Valley.

Students in the program benefit from both its tailored design and the full range of resources available to all PUC nursing students, including library services, tutoring, counseling, and academic advising. More importantly, they gain access to a learning environment that recognizes and respects their prior experience while supporting their continued growth.

Debra Wallace, who has directed the LVN/Med-Tech program for 28 years and now oversees the EMT-P pathway, reflects on the program with pride: “I truly love this program and the students in it. They bring a depth of experience, strong focus, and an incredible level of commitment as they balance work, family, and school. It is inspiring to watch their growth as they transition into professional nursing roles.”  She adds, “These students are highly motivated and bring a unique perspective to patient care. They understand urgency, critical thinking, and teamwork at a high level, and it is rewarding to help them expand those skills within the nursing profession.”

To date, the Napa campus has graduated two cohorts of EMT-P to RN students, both achieving a 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN. A third cohort is expected to graduate in June 2026. Due to increasing interest—largely driven by word of mouth—there is growing consideration for expanding this opportunity to additional PUC campuses.

The continued success of the EMT-P to RN program reflects not only its thoughtful design but also its meaningful impact: expanding access to nursing education, supporting career advancement for paramedics, and ultimately strengthening the healthcare workforce across the region.