Get those degrees in EMS/Paramedicine

[paramedicmike]

The non-science, non-technical classes may not play a part in how you perform the technical components of your job. They can, however, provide an individual with enough of a general knowledge background so as to better interact with people encountered on the job.

I remember reading somewhere that physicians who have an English degree scored much higher in patient satisfaction surveys due to their ability to effectively communicate with their patients as opposed to talking down to their patients as the strict science majors had a tendency to do.

A balance in education is just as important as balance elsewhere in life. The more broad the education, the better the balance. This should apply to EMS education as well.

-be safe

[CTXMEDIC]

Maybe the LP thing is a form of subtle peer pressure....lol.

believe it or not, it is. those that dont know exactley what it is believe you are some sort of medic God. i always have students asking me in this voice filled with awe, "How did you become licensed?". when i tell them, i always get the look of , "WTF?"

[Christopher.Collins]

Only on problem... I cant even afford to get my paramedic let alone my AS or BS as a paramedic? Student loans, thoes umm things that people claim you cant get turned down for because its a different type of loan, yep Ive been denied :evil:

I would absoloutley love to get my medic and a degree at the same time, but I cant even front the $4-$8 grand to take a standard course.

[fiznat]

The difference between education and training is the diversity of the background. If you want to be trained, then by all means only take classes that directly relate to what you will actually be doing. If you want to be educated, however, then you are going to have to broaden your horizons a little bit there. Sorry. Just because you may not be able to see the immediate utility of a subject does not mean that it isn't valuable and doesn't contribute to your educational background.

I can't stand when people ask "why do I need to know this." It is an ignorant question, and I feel it betrays the underlying lack of education that we see so much in this field.

[Christopher.Collins]

Fizz, I couldnt possibly agree more. I know it first hand and believe that applies even to your days in high school. I was always told by my teachers I was a smart and well rounded kid, that if Id just pay attention to my work more I could excell more. Of course Id much rather be sitting in my EMT or Fire-1 class or chillin at the firehouse. So yea I have the training to do my job... but hell my math skills are slow at best, my love for history is looking up things I could already know... etc.

When I look back at things we take for granted it amazes me. I was up in Wethersfield the other night during that snow "storm," dont know if you were on the road or not Fizz, and the highways sucked. All I kept wishing for was that simple little white dotted line to appear. It didnt of course, and made for a tough ride home. My point is that even something that sounds simple can be of great importance.

[CTXMEDIC]

By that comment it is easy to see you have not even looked at what classes make up a degree for EMS .

well actually, yeah, i have. and i want to thank you for proving my point. all of the co-requisites you listed pertain to the field of EMS. Composition for report writing, Psych to better understand 'where people are comming from', sociology for the same reason, biology (should be self explanatory), math to do drug doses. i dont see the history of the mayan empire listed though. BTW, the mayan thing is an example, not a course i took.

[Christopher.Collins]

CTX maybe Im misunderstanding you or maybe its just done differently where you went to school as opposed to here but check this out:

http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/dpHealthParamed.htm

http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/dpHealthParamedEMS.htm

http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/dpHealthParamedEMR.htm

For the most part all three of these classes have an identical curriculum but as far as I can tell (short of looking up what Humanities classes are offered) everything there is relevant.

Again, Im sure its different from one place to another. Capital Community College has one of the better and tougher medic classes here in Connecticut.

[VentMedic]

well actually, yeah, i have. and i want to thank you for proving my point. all of the co-requisites you listed pertain to the field of EMS. Composition for report writing, Psych to better understand 'where people are comming from', sociology for the same reason, biology (should be self explanatory), math to do drug doses. i dont see the history of the mayan empire listed though. BTW, the mayan thing is an example, not a course i took.

Yes, so I don't see what the remarks about getting an EMS degree and having to take Mayan history or medival whatever have to do with each other. A Paramedic degree is usually listed as an Associate of Science and there is little time for many extra classes. Also, for humanities, you are usually allowed to select the classes that you feel might benefit you. So, if you did take Mayan history, that was because YOU SELECTED IT. You could have taken another writing class, a foreign lauguage. another psych or sciology class. Humanities are YOUR choice from a long list. I tell some to take a class about their own state government so they can become more aware of how the legislative process funtions. Some may even take a class that interests them for a hobby as a stress relief. Again, the humanities selection is YOUR CHOICE.

You got a degree in Geology so I don't see why you are even trying to use that as an example for an EMS degree. The extra knowledge in geology may be helpful but that is not the route most future Paramedics are going to take. You are comparing apples and rocks. Regardless of what your degree was in, you probably still had some control over the classes that satisfy the humanities requirement.

Trying to use the argument of having to take classes that are of no relevance to EMS has been used before by people who don't understand college degrees or have not bothered to even look at the degrees. Thus, EMS has remained a "cert" because of these ignorant statements that mislead people into believing they would waste their time with a degree. Those with the "a cert is the same stuff without the BS classes" mentality need to be educated as to what an education actually is. Trying to discourage people with ridiculous examples of Mayan history or Medival lit is just that, ridiculous.

[CTXMEDIC]

apparently you misunderstood. i have no problem with an EMS degree. In texas we're considered something special because we are 'licensed' as opposed to 'certified' if we hold a degree in ANYTHING. underwater basket weaving, politics or EMS, it doesnt matter. i think this is ridiculous. if you want to be 'licensed' your degree should be in EMS or some other form of healthcare, not history, not political science not peace studies.

[MedicAsh]

I am enrolled in the Associates Paramedic Technology program. I have heard that more and more services are requiring medics to have a MINIMUM of an associates degree. I am seeing it here.

As for a Curriculum for medic classes. Those are different for each college/university offering them. This is what our is here at our college:

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

10-801-195 3.00

GEN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

10-806-177 4.00

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

10-809-196 3.00

or RACE ETHNIC & DIVERSITY

10-809-172

or ECONOMICS

10-809-195

INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY

10-809-198 3.00

or PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN RELATIONS

10-809-199

Total Credits for Term:

13.00

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Expected Enroll Term: Catalog Nbr (select to view course info)

Second Term

Course Description Credits

ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMM

10-801-196 3.00

ADV ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

10-806-179 4.00

MICROBIOLOGY

10-806-197 4.00

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

10-809-188 3.00

Total Credits for Term:

14.00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Expected Enroll Term: Catalog Nbr (select to view course info)

Third Term

Course Description Credits

PARAMEDIC FUNDAMENTALS

10-531-151 5.00

PARAMEDIC PHARMACOLOGY

10-531-152 4.00

RESPIRATORY MANAGEMENT

10-531-155 2.00

CARDIOLOGY 1

10-531-156 3.00

CLINICAL 1 - EMT PARAMEDIC

10-531-157 4.00

Total Credits for Term:

18.00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Expected Enroll Term: Catalog Nbr (select to view course info)

Fourth Term

Course Description Credits

CARDIOLOGY 2

10-531-158 3.00

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

10-531-159 3.00

PARAMEDIC TRAUMA

10-531-164 3.00

EMERGENCY CARE FOR SPECIALISTS

10-531-165 3.00

EMS OPERATIONS

10-531-166 3.00

CLINICAL 2 EMT PARAMEDIC

10-531-167 3.00

I also am getting my psychology and communications certificates. So my costs will be a little higher but Approximate Tuition Cost: $6114.15. That is with out books. The books for the first semester of medic ALONE is over $800. You also have prerequisite books.

I have to agree with others that this does NOT make you a better medic. The subject matter of the paramedic programs are all the same. We all take the same NR skills. We all are testing over the same subject matter. I am not in the program to be a better medic than anyone.

I not only see the assiciates dergee required in EMS but other areas also. There are many jobs in the paper or online now that are stating that this degree is required as a minimum. Its not because they are better but I think that many employers want the "educated" person. I dont think having an associates degree makes you any more educated that the next person. I have seen people without a degree have the ability to do their job functions as good as or better that one with. I guess its a 50-50 toss up. damned if you do damnedif you dont, know what I mean?