Educational Path

[n7lxi]

I’ve read a lot of the posts on the forum (I’m a regular lurker) and I haven’t seen any other posts relating to a situation like mine, so I’m throwing this out for some advice from the more experienced members of the community.

I’m a former EMT, currently living in Washington State and just about finished with EMT-B classes to become re-certified after many years of not being involved with EMS. Along with the EMT class, I’m attending the local Community College to obtain a transfer degree and move to a Paramedic Program. This quarter I’m carrying 25 credits. I’ve completed almost all of the degree requirements and almost all of the prerequisites for the Paramedic Program that I will be applying to. (And yes Dust, those prereqs include A&P I and II.)

After becoming certified as a Paramedic and working in the field, I hope to transition to becoming an instructor and working in the field of EMS education.

I’m curious if any of the current medics here have moved to the world of education and what a suggested course of study would be to help me reach my goals. Also, if you still ride a truck or work in a clinical setting, how much of your professional time is split between the two areas.

To head off some of the questions I anticipate, I’m 38 years old. I live in Seattle. I don’t plan on applying to Medic One as I don’t want to be a firefighter. I don’t want to strictly teach without having several years of patient contact as a medic. And I am very interested in “working” as a paramedic, not simply taking the class for the certification or degree.

I look forward to your replies.

[Dustdevil]

What exactly do you want to teach? Without significant field experience, and with only an EMS associates, what you are truly qualified to teach is really limited. I don't subscribe to the "jack of all trades" theory of medical education. You need to pick what you enjoy most, and what you are best educated and experienced in, and concentrate on becoming an expert at it. Expert status takes a lot more than the entry level education. I want my instructors to know a lot more than I do, or I don't need them. You need to at least have a greater understanding of the topics than the level you are teaching. This isn't a Red Cross first aid course where you just learn some steps, then pass those steps to others. It takes an in-depth understanding of the topic in order to even begin to relate it to others. You will not get that in-depth understanding from just a paramedic degree. So you are correct to think ahead to further education.

If you want to teach basic sciences like Anatomy & Physiology, Pharmacology, Cardiology, etc..., then that is something you can credibly do with no significant field experience. Stick around and get a biology or physiology degree. But if you want to teach clinical topics, you're going to have to get some real experience somewhere beforehand. I know you don't have many options where you are. Maybe it's time to move?

One good route is to go straight from medic school to nursing school. Finish a BSN and work critical care, where you will get a lot of cardiology or surgical experience. That gives you a solid foundation for teaching the basic sciences of EMS as noted above, as opposed to a biology degree. And actually, since you don't seem to have any prospects for getting real ALS EMS experience after becoming a medic, I would seriously suggest you get the BSN instead of the medic degree. That way you can actually make a good living and continue to practise and learn while attending medic school afterwards. If you do it your way, getting the medic degree first, it's really a poor way to go. You'll get no chance to use your knowledge, losing it all very quickly. You'll be stuck making little to no money, therefore unable to afford to further your education. Then you're stuck. I really, really would not suggest that route that you have laid out.

Unless you plan to move somewhere, you're stuck with no way to ever get any experience to validate your education. Only a fool would do that. Reverse the formula. Get a nursing degree, then go to medic school after a couple of years of nursing experience in critical care (not ER). Not only will the educational process come a LOT easier to you that way, it will also come with more financial stability, and propel you much faster towards your goal of teaching.

[ccmedoc]

Finish a BSN and work critical care, where you will get a lot of cardiology or surgical experience. That gives you a solid foundation for teaching the basic sciences of EMS as noted above, as opposed to a biology degree. And actually, since you don't seem to have any prospects for getting real ALS EMS experience after becoming a medic, I would seriously suggest you get the BSN instead of the medic degree. That way you can actually make a good living and continue to practise and learn while attending medic school afterwards.

...and propel you much faster towards your goal of teaching.

If you want to teach, this is the best way to do it. You will need a Bachelors degree to instruct at the college level anyhow, or any respectable program for that matter. A BSN will give you more than a basic understanding of teaching theory, you will have teaching experience through your projects, along with the tools to succeed in your medic career if you choose to continue to pursue it.

This man speaks the wisdom. Do yourself a favor and take heed.

If you are far enough along with your basic pre-requisites, you can be done in not much more time. Another couple of years and you'll be amazed at the opportunities available to you!

[CBEMT]

To head off some of the questions I anticipate, I’m 38 years old. I live in Seattle. I don’t plan on applying to Medic One as I don’t want to be a firefighter.

Isn't South King County non-fire?

[n7lxi]

All valid replies, thank you.

To clarify, there are several opportunities for me to work in ALS here. As a medic I would simply have to work in a surrounding county, not King County. I apologize if I made it sound like all the doors in that area were closed.

To the poster who mentioned South King Medic One: Yes, they are a non fire agency, but fall under the same hiring constraints as the rest of the Medic One system. It takes a long time to get in. In terms of education, I'd give my eye teeth to become a Medic One paramedic, but perhaps that will come in time.

I have considered moving to a less constricted EMS community, and that is a possibility. My wife would love to move back home to the Midwest and I've heard great things about MAST in KC. If we can sell the house that will be an option.

And Dust, I have considered Nursing and then a paramedic program. I think I'll need to dig deeper into nursing schools here in the area and consider all of my options. In any case, I'm aware that any reputable program will require at least a BS. The idea of critical care nursing prior to the Medic program sounds like a good one.

Thanks again...

[VentMedic]

I have considered Nursing and then a paramedic program. I think I'll need to dig deeper into nursing schools here in the area and consider all of my options. In any case, I'm aware that any reputable program will require at least a BS. The idea of critical care nursing prior to the Medic program sounds like a good one.

Thanks again...

Once you get your nursing degree and critical care medicine experience, you may forget all about the paramedic thing. There are way too many opportunities and directions to take in nursing including CCT and Specialty transport that require much more education and many more skills than the Paramedic.

[n7lxi]

Once you get your nursing degree and critical care medicine experience, you may forget all about the paramedic thing. There are way too many opportunities and directions to take in nursing including CCT and Specialty transport that require much more education and many more skills than the Paramedic.

I can see how that would be the case. I'm really enjoying life as a full time student, and a career where I'm constantly learning is one that appeals to me on many levels.

[crotchitymedic1986]

I am not trying to judge you here, so dont take it the wrong way. But I think the question to ask is what is it you really want to be ? You are in school, and have obviously set aside time in the next several months to continue school. The reason I ask is that it sounds like you have left EMS atleast once before, which isnt a bad thing, as many people leave for greener pastures, only to find that EMS wasnt so bad afterall -- but before i would commit that much time to this profession again, i would really think about this career choice, and make sure it is the one you want. If you are settling back into it for financial reasons only, and werent happy with EMS before, you wont be happy this time around. If you are taking the time to do a do-over, make sure it is the do-over that you really want.

[Dustdevil]

The idea of critical care nursing prior to the Medic program sounds like a good one.

It's better than good. It's the best. The best EMS care in the world is provided by those countries that operate under the nursing model, where a paramedic is a critical care nurse with a master's level specialisation in EMS care. Going to medic school before nursing school is like buying a mobile home, and then trying to go back and build a foundation under it, and brick it over later. Yeah, you've got a place to live, but it is nothing to be proud of.

Think of this in concrete terms. Build your professional career like you would build a house. Foundation first. Solid framework. Then all the sexy details come after you have a secure place to complete them. That is how you build the very best possible educational preparation for a career of excellence. And if excellence is not your goal, then I would very much discourage you from going into education and passing on your passion for mediocrity.

And, of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention that Medic One is overrated shyte. Like Maryland EMS, they are still somehow managing to milk the glory from a decades old bubble of lies that was long ago mythbusted. Don't buy the hype.

Good luck!

[n7lxi]

That's a very good question.

I started, and then left EMS, when I was very young. I received my original EMT cert in 1988, as a young kid who didn't know anything about anything. (From experience I can say that allowing 18 year old kids to work as an EMT is a VERY bad idea.)

At any rate, almost 20 years in broadcasting has caused me to reexamine my priorities and where I want to be with my life. I've always had a love for EMS and the education involved. I am in a financial position where I can afford school and I've decided to make a change.

The question is, what do I want to be? I want to work and learn in a progressive pre-hospital care environment while continuing my formal education, leading to a point where I am qualified and experienced enough to then teach.

I'm not a guy who wants to drive an ambulance fast. I'm not guy who wants to be "Johnny or Roy". I have no interest in being a medic strictly for the excitement. I am interested in learning practical street medicine, and I'd like to hope that if I continue down a strong educational path, whether it's nursing or medic school...or both, I'll reach my goals.