Dustdevil

I found RT school (AAS level RRT) at least twice as difficult and challenging as nursing school, no doubt about it. Interestingly though, I saw more people drop out of my nursing class than my RT class. Maybe because of the better prerequisite preparation the RT students had. Just as likely, because my RT instructors were a lot better than my nursing instructors.

Well, I didn't offer any advice. It's easy for me to do when it's a patient's life at risk. Not so much when it's your career at stake. But I think you know that I do care, and I hope this situation resolves itself painlessly and positively. You are absolutely a credit to this profession, and anyone who doesn't recognise that is an idiot.

Far be it for me to speak for JakeEMTP, but I believe I understand where he is coming from (and yes, I have worked flight). I believe it is just the opposite of what [i think] you are suggesting. Most ground medics who have never been on a flight feel the opposite of JakeEMTP. It's a bizarre kind of "man crush" kind of thing that they have with the airplane and the flight suit, with no real understanding of what the job itself is all about. It's a big reason why HEMS is so overused. Whackers get a woody when they hear the rotor blades, as if they enjoy some glory by proxy simply for having called them. Take away the sexy factor, and there is little left that is particularly appealing. Not that there is anything wrong with working flight. But the hero-worship factor from the ground pounders is silly and unwarranted.

The Rosenbaum Family still has the option to renew their suit against the city, if they feel the city is not living up to it's end of the bargain to overhaul the system adequately. I wish they would.

My thoughts exactly. Pretty sad when those whose first language is not English understand better than those whose is.

LOL! Interesting, yet valid observation!

Wouldn't that apply to every profession's examination and certification agency, or do you feel this is somehow unique to EMS?

That's an excellent, albeit sad point. It's the pervasive culture in EMS right now. When people join a new crowd or profession, they want to fit in. To fit in these days, mediocrity and apathy are key. Few dare to be different. Those that do are often isolated and ridiculed. It's damn difficult to change the culture one person at a time. But so long as the firemonkeys and vollies maintain their stranglehold on the political powers, that's really our only option. They will never allow EMS to become a respectable profession, where one can proudly practise excellence.

Well, I gotta give our new friend credit for attempting to give people a heads-up, regardless of his dubious motivations. His concerns, as VentMedic confirms, are well founded. This is pandemic in Floridia. Unfortunately, nobody who passes complains. And those who fail out are just seen as bitter, and not taken seriously. Don't get discouraged, Man. Stick around here and do a little reading. You'll see that we very serious about educational quality. We'd love to see you find a professional alternative to fulfill your goals. Good luck.

You've done it?

Geeze, Bro... I hope the worst is over, and that the page is turning on a new, and better year. I dunno if following your passion is a real substitute for being able to pay your bills, but it certainly is cause for hope and keeping you busy and focused on the future instead of the past. I wish you both the best in 2010!

You can't say "shitty" here, shithead. ^ Golden advice. Complete and utter bollocks. Most professionals here would not even hire anyone who professed that attitude. I certainly would not. Until you understand the gross error in that statement, you are not yet ready to leave the temple. The good news is, you have come to the right place to learn the facts and start on a path to something more than mediocrity. I hope that works out for you!

x2! Keep up that attitude, and stay around this forum, and you won't have any problem getting letters of recommendation.

And vice versa. I'd love watching you try to find, "The Hoskins place out on 51 past the creek and where the old dairy used to be". I get a kick out of you city slickers who think we don't have guns outside of the city. Boy are you in for a surprise if you pull your ambulance into the wrong driveway when you can't find the above address.

Are you talking about college, or just an I school? I was referring to college courses. They generally don't require any "cards".

It's better experience than you'll get at any volly gig. As a potential employer, I want to see what your work experience is, and how well you can hold a job. I could not care less about your hobbies. But personally, I don't like any of the above choices. I'd either move or just stay in school.

Screw medic school. Total waste of time, and very possibly counterproductive to your educational development. Go straight to nursing school. Get a few years of critical care (not ER) experience. Then either do a paramedic quicky school, or challenge out.

LOL! You don't have to in most other states, because the cost of living is half that of NorCal.

The failure is in sending EMTs to do a paramedic's job in the first place. Exactly

In New York, yes, it would be too hard. It's all about kickbacks up in Yankeeland. Some FD official got paid well to ensure that everyone bought a particular brand of boot, you can be sure.

Thing is, this all came about back in the early 70s, when EMS personnel were supposed to be "the eyes and hands of the doctor". We were to do an exam, report the findings to the base physician, then follow his orders, a la "EMERGENCY!" We don't do that anymore. We've outgrown that delivery model. Consequently, there is no longer a need to teach people to perform tests they are incapable of interpreting. Whether the guy's belly hurts to palpation or not, an EMT is going to do the exact same thing: Transport. It's high time to quit doing things just because it's the way we've always done them. If there is no benefit to the patient, there is no medical indication.

Nah, we were saying the very same thing. He noted that experience is often used as an excuse for not needing education by those who don't have education. And you may notice that you never hear those with the education saying it is useless or "ridiculous". The only ones who knock it are those who do not have it, and are thus not qualified to judge its usefulness. Take a year of prerequisite courses, including the two full A&P courses, and then go to EMT school. From there, go directly to paramedic school. Be sure it's a Nationally Accredited school (most are not), and one that results in a degree, not just a certificate.

Pretty interesting that they think that putting MORE miles and hours on their trucks will extend their lifespan. Woolverton is obviously no math major. Except for the rare real choking victim, saved minutes do not show to even affect our mortality rates, so that's not a big concern either. I've had a grand total of ZERO real choking patients in thirty-six years of practice. Tom Woolverton would do well to pull his head out of his arse and start reading current literature instead of sales brochures. This idea has been in practice since the early 1980s, and has failed miserably in every case to achieve the intended goals. Either this guy is completely out of touch with the realities of EMS, or else he's just stupid. I'd like to see them take a poll among their employees asking whether they think this is a good way to spend half a million dollars. I hate to bash them, because LCEMS is probably among the very best EMS in Floridia. But man, it seems like every damn thing I hear about them is discouraging.