CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois Board of Nursing approved a new paramedic-RN bridge program at the Parkland College, the first in the state.

The new program will launch in the spring of 2016 and will be a three-semester program instead of four, so that medics won’t have to re-learn the basics, The Prospectus reported.

The program acknowledges the rigorous training medics go through before practicing emergency medicine.

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"We have had several paramedics go through the nursing program in the past, but they were often frustrated that the education and experience they had acquired couldn’t be taken into consideration and a shorter program offered," said Michele Spading, assistant dean of nursing and faculty affairs.

The success of a similar bridge program for practical nurses wanting to become registered nurses motivated faculty to start this new program.

"We heard from many paramedics that they were ready to take the next step in their health care career pathway to become registered nurses," said Diane Cousert, Parkland’s assistant dean of nursing and faculty affairs. “The BON (Board of Nursing) agreed that there is a need for (paramedics) to take that next step without starting from the beginning."