Starlight

Thanks! That's great to know! Yeah, I'm just basically wanting to know if it's a quality, dependable, trustworthy program.

I'm looking for comments or suggestions by anyone who either has gone through or is in training with PERCOM or has heard of others who have. What's your experience been? I'm specifically looking at their online Paramedic course. Thanks!

I didn't see Richard's or Chris' posts before I sent my last reply. I may be new on here (I' ve been reading for a lot longer than I've been a member), but, yes, we're listening, Richard, and we appreciate it more than you know! Yeah, I can definitely see how that would be frustrating, Chris. I appreciate the way you brought up the point of EMT's furthuring their own education. There may be a majority of incompetent EMT's and I'm not arguing that, but I know some Basics who are just downright good at what they do and they know their stuff. They've put the effort into it that they should and are constantly learning and, from what I've seen, other medics and flight nurses highly respect them.

Thanks for the input, Dwayne. That's the exact same spirit so many of my coworkers have had and it never ceases to amaze me. I only hope that someday I can be the same for someone else. DustDevil, thank-you too for the input and advise. I did want to clarify several things though. For some people EMT-B is a stepping stone, not what they are settling for. I do plan to begin medic school shortly. As you've basically already said, in an ideal world we would all be medics, but, unfortunately, this is not an ideal world.:/ I also wanted to say that I've never personally had a problem with a medic and I certainly don't have a chip on my shoulder toward any. Personally, I enjoy a good challenge and I also enjoy working with people who present a good challenge. I would not want to work under anybody who would accept anything less than my absolute best. We had an instructor in our EMT class who was like that. She may not have been forthcoming with praise, she picked (and I mean picked) at the nitty-gritty details, and if you messed up you knew that a lecture was coming (loudly and in public!), but I knew that she was hard on me because she wanted to see me pass and she wanted me to be the best that I could be and I loved it because I knew that if she didn't comment on my work I had done it well. I may like the tough bosses, but, that being said, I've watched it crush others. Some of my classmates couldn't stand it and, for their sake, I wished, not that she would have lowered the standard, but that she could have come across a little more gently with them and could have been more affirmative when they did do it right. I believe that is the mark of a true teacher: to be in tune with their students and, while not lowering the standard, able to meet them on their level. We don't need preachers. We need teachers. (I just realized how that might come across. I don't know you and I am in no way inferring as to what kind of teacher you might be, simply what I believe is ideal.) And I'll use spell check in the future. (This is not spell checked though, as spell check is not downloaded on this pc.) Bear with me please.

A question directed toward "older" and more experienced EMS personnel: How do you feel about working with a partner that's significantly younger than you (i.e. in the 19-21 range)? Assuming that they are competent and professional while on the job, does the age dif make a difference in your work relationship? Personal relationship? If you had the choice would you instead choose an older partner with more years on the job? I myself am a younger EMT and have been extremely priviledged to work with a group of awesome EMS professionals that have been on my side and rooting for me all along. Even the senior ones have chosen to treat me with respect and seem extremely genuine in their desire to be not only my teacher, but my friend. They've made a large effort to make me part of the group, despite a significant age difference. I cannot say what this has meant to me! They've truly helped me to grow into myself and develop confidence. Young people need mentors like this. I'd like to know how other EMS agencies function in this regard. Is this common? I pick up off this site (from some) a certain level of cynicism and belittling toward anyone "below" them, as in level of training, ect. Am I mistaken in that assumption? (I do realize that a LOT is to be said for training and experience and that it deserves respect - I'm not downing on that.) Everyone starts small. What if all the more senior EMS professionals were to, instead of belittling and degrading the less experienced, become encouragers, inspiring their younger EMS brother's and sister's on and challenging them to better their work ethic and all other aspects of their job? Leave a legacy, so to speak. Thank you to those of you who already do this. You're the horoes.

@ Dust, I certainly understand that an online a & p course would not be ideal (and maybe impossible), but I thought I'd seen something about being able to take it over the internet even with a lab section with some special technology or something. I'm just trying to be open-minded due to my situation. It's highly unlikely that I'll go that route. I would be interested to see if anybody else has actually done that though. I would like to take at least one or two of the prerequisites at a community college back in the States this fall, but seeing the schedule it looks like it might not be possible to take more than one or two though as the schedules over-lap. Here's a question though, for the medic class I hope to take they have two prerequisites (basic a & p and college algebra) and one (pharmacology) that's strongly recommended, but not required. What's your suggestion? Do you think that a pharmacology class is really worth the extra trouble? Thanks, Lisa, for the link. I think I've seen that one before. It certainly could be a possibility. This is the one I'm actually really thinking about right now: www.canyoncollege.edu/cc/naturopathic/syllabus/nh720.htm But I still need to get a hold of them to check on price and so forth. It can really be a challenge from long-distance like this. I'd like to continue to hear any suggestions. Especially from people who have actually already taken the class online. Thanks, guys. And, yes, for specification (as Dust already said) the classes do have to be accredited and a & p does need to include a lab section.

I'm looking to start medic school this coming year. First I have to take my prerequisite classes though. I'm overseas for at least the next several months and, although I can do some internet research, it adds a challenge to truly researching things. I'm looking for an online pharmacology class. Any suggestions? I need one that's reasonably priced and is also available internationally. I'd also be interested in an online A&P class if there's a good option for that. I've googled it, but am not coming up with anything that looks really good yet. Any suggestions would really be appreciated. Thanx.

Just wanting feedback here. OK, so here's (could be...) the deal: young, single mom, 10-month-old child (adopted!), medic school, and at least part-time job. I wouldn't let someone else raise my little boy. This is important to me. Do you see any way to make this work? I've come close to deciding that, if I go through with this, I also kiss my dream of a career goodbye. Yet something in me still wants to shoot for the stars. Could hard work still make this a reality? Thinking possibly if I found a way to keep my kid with me while at my job, and only had a sitter for clinicals...? Brainstorming here. "Sometimes we miss opportunity because it shows up in overalls and looks like work."