Working as a Paramedic

[guitarman1]

Hey guys I'm new here and want to know a few things about this whole ems, emt, paramedic thing (sorry the terms are still a little confusing to me). A career as a paramedic seems very interesting to me and I would like to give it a shot. But is it a career you can live off of and stick with? Or will it be difficult to live with the pay and are most careers short ones? Thanks a lot

[paramedicmike]

Search the forums. There are several threads that will give you some insight.

-be safe

[Arizonaffcep]

I love the job. It is a career that can be lived off of, however with as much time as you get off...it's very easy and potentially lucrative to have a second job (not necessarily FT).

[Texman]

It also depends on WHAT you choose to do. A medic on an oil derrick in the gulf can make six figures but it is a hard life if you are married or have kids. 911 medics have an awesome schedule that allows for a second job but the medic pay is barely enough to live off of. Do your research before you decide. I am a medic on my way to Nurse. I started out to be a nurse and took an EMT course just to work as I was going through nursing school and I got hooked. EMT to Medic was only logical and I have had to get that out of my system before continuing to RN.

[kateyboyer]

I love my choice of becoming a medic. I was told by a professor when I was majoring in another degree program that a job is something you do to make money, but a career is something you would do even if you don't get paid. I work at a county district and I don't make a lot, but I know how to live within my means. A lot of us do this because we love to help other not for the money. Don't get me wrong paying the bills is important, but if you do something you truly love then you will find a way to make enough money or will adjust to you income.

[Arizonaffcep]

As an addendum to my previous post, EMS is not a job for $. You do the job because you love the job. The money will come. It's not great...but survivable. Better in some areas than others.

[azemtjunkie79]

Pure addiction