Delta College Recognizes LPN, Paramedic Experience to Grow RN Workforce

Written by Sydney Wojczynski and Evin Tas

Healthcare workers looking to change or advance in their careers often face barriers to achieving their goals. One of these barriers is completing the required education – they must take additional courses or even earn a different/additional degree. Even if they are proficient, healthcare professionals usually have to retake classes they previously passed, making their education more time-consuming and costly. To address this barrier, some postsecondary institutions offer transition programs, also known as bridge programs, that recognize healthcare professionals' prior knowledge and experience. One such institution is Delta College. We spoke to Daisy McQuiston, Professor of Nursing, to learn more about their Licensed Paramedic/Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN) associate degree program.

How Delta’s Program Works

Delta’s Licensed Paramedic/LPN to RN transition track, in operation since 2000, is a 16-month program that results in an associate degree in nursing (ADN). A new cohort of 20 to 30 students begins every January. Paramedics and LPNs licensed in Michigan with at least one year of full-time experience within the last three years qualify. McQuiston mentioned that this opportunity also extends to recent Delta’s Practical Nurse certificate program graduates who received at least a ‘B’ or better in their core courses. These graduates don’t need to fulfill the one-year experience requirement to take advantage of this program.

Many students in the program receive financial support through Michigan Reconnect, a MiLEAP scholarship program that provides tuition-free community college for non-degreed adults over 25.

Transition Track Benefits

McQuiston emphasized that Delta’s nursing transition track not only removes barriers for incumbent healthcare workers but also improves the quality of the nursing workforce when healthcare workers with different areas of knowledge and experience become RNs. 

For instance –

• LPNs working in home care may have a deeper understanding of social determinants of health. 

• LPNs in long-term care have prior experience caring for geriatric patients. 

• Paramedics know how to handle high-pressure situations.

MHC Insight’s Take

Transition programs accelerate healthcare professionals’ education by recognizing their existing knowledge and skills. These programs cut down on the time and expense for professionals seeking to further or change their careers within healthcare while allowing them to translate their unique skill sets and practical knowledge into new areas. With most healthcare occupations, including RNs, experiencing shortages in Michigan, it is critical for education programs to quickly graduate qualified professionals so they can begin meeting the state’s healthcare needs.

Learn More

For more information about innovative work happening in Michigan and nationwide, check out our database of healthcare workforce initiatives at www.mhc.org/initiatives.