thenaturephotographer Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Hi all, I'm a freshman photography & graphic design major in Mi and I'm thinking of taking a EMT-B course this summer for a couple reasons: (1) I'm not sure if I'd like to pursue anything in the medical field and I think EMT training might help me decide that (2) I might be able to get a job on the weekends / summer to help pay for school (3) the information I learn will be useful info to have (if I get or meet somebody in a basic emergency situation) But how realistic are these reasons? I'm especially doubting number 2. I was thinking of going to the Goshen Health system summer course, Is this a good course? thanks so much guys! -John
paramedicmike Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Hi John, Really, the only person who can decide if you should take the class is you. However, I think we can provide a few things for you to consider while making your decision. Some of those considerations will revolve around your posted questions. Others won't. 1) An EMT class would be a good introduction into a tiny microcosm of medicine. Think of it like a first aid course on steroids. You'll learn a lot of basic information which can lead the curious mind to a lot of in depth information. One thing it won't do is really introduce you to a lot of other areas of health care that typically fall outside the realm of emergency or basic transport medicine. That being said, an EMT class has proven to be a starting point for many people including some well respected members of this community. 2) It could very well prove to be a decent weekend/summer job for a college student. You'd have to work out details with your employer. But it's not impossible or even unheard of to work part time while going to school full time. 3) Have a working knowledge of basic first aid is never a bad thing to have. You never know when you might need it. Moving away from your questions, please consider, too, that EMS, and medicine in general is a patient oriented activity. If you're not sure that this is something you'd be interested in, knowing that at times you may be required to endure some discomfort for the sake of your patient, then perhaps not getting involved is the right choice for you. For the record, there is no shame in this position. This certainly isn't a job for everyone. However, not being sure is certainly good motivation to try it out. I got involved in EMS on a whim and discovered that I love it. Here I am many years later and I still love it even though my focus is changing a bit. So if you're interested in exploring something new, then why the hell not? What happened to me could happen to you, too! All that being said, I have no idea if this helps you at all. If nothing else it should offer some food for thought. If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask. There's a wealth of knowledge here and lots of people are willing to help. Good luck!
Just Plain Ruff Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Excellent reply Mike The only way you are going to know if it's right for you is for you to try it. Remember the life cereal. Mikey Liked it so the other kids ate some too. If you get into it and find that you don't like it then no harm no foul, what are you out, 4 months of classes and a couple of ride alongs? My advice is to get the class taken, utilize ALL the ride time you can. In my EMT class I spent every weekend riding with the Crews as soon as my instructor said it was ok to start to ride. I think I did over 400 hours of ride time. That's what helped me get my first emt job. It also cemented my commitment to patient care/healthcare as a career and I went on the paramedic and then I have moved on further to automating Emergency departments to track patients from triage to discharge. You never know what you can do or cannot do until you try and do it. You are young, you have many years before you truly have to make up your mind what you want to be when you grow up. Why pass up this experience. Who knows, maybe you will be the next Dwayne, me, paramedicmike or AK to name a few.
thenaturephotographer Posted February 21, 2011 Author Posted February 21, 2011 Thanks Mike & Ruffems, I really appreciate your long posts. I think I will take the course and will definitely get as much riding time as possible. Do you guys (or anyone else) have any recommendations for a summer school? I live in Berrien Springs, Mi (a little south of Benton Harbor) & wouldn't like to drive more than an hour. I looked at does this seem to be any good?
Just Plain Ruff Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Honestly 85% of the quality of your emt course should come from the student and their understanding of the material. You are in college, you are taking 100 level courses that go far beyond the depth of material that a emt class will go into. If you can pass your first semester of college then you can and should be able to pass EMT. I will go and look at the link you posted but they only want you to see what they want you to. Call them and see if you can observe a class or two. Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Richard B the EMT Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 Just be realistic with yourself as to what you're thinking of doing. Some, as already mentioned, find they can't handle this type job. In 1974, my Volunteer Ambulance Corps had just started, and at least 95 per cent of us were newjacks (Myself included), with no real field experience. We also ran with Motor Vehicle Operators, who at the time, were not required to have EMT certification. We'd later mandate they had a minimum of American Red Cross Advanced First Aid (or equivalent training) under their belts, and even later on, encourage them to become EMTs. On her first call, the EMT assigned to a 2 person crew, got out of the ambulance, told her non EMT MVO partner what equipment to pull from the vehicle, turned to look at the patient, saw the patient's blood, and fainted!
thenaturephotographer Posted February 23, 2011 Author Posted February 23, 2011 Thanks Ruffins, I'll try to head over there and check it out. Richard, my dad's a biology professor and I've grown up doing discections on pretty much everything (fresh & preserved), so I think I'll be fine but I'll just have to see I guess.
funkytomtom Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 Yes. Yes. Yes. I am a college student myself. I work a 48 hour shift nearly every weekend to pick up some extra cash. That being said, I wouldn't look into EMS for riches. It sounds like a surefire thing on at least two of your points, and probably/hopefully all three. I say go for it.
Lone Star Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 Thanks Ruffins, I'll try to head over there and check it out. Richard, my dad's a biology professor and I've grown up doing discections on pretty much everything (fresh & preserved), so I think I'll be fine but I'll just have to see I guess. Not to discourage you, but you must realize that there's a major difference between dissections and actual live, screaming patients. It's far easier to deal with a dissection because you can't kill the dead. Where the stress begins is trying to keep the sick and injured alive. In a dissection, you may be exposed to blood and the 'inner workings' of whatever organism you're dissecting, but in EMS; your objective is to not let your patient die (in spite of whatever amputations, self dissections or injuries they have somehow performed/inflicted upon themselves. Another question I have is this, are you planning on working in IN once you obtain your EMT license? If not, what about a program in your area thats offered by the state of MI? Here's some information I've hunted down if you're interested in staying in MI to go through school: Approved EMS Education Program Sponsors County: Berrien EMT Approved through: 11/30/2010 Lake Michigan College 2755 E Napier Ave Benton Harbor MI 49022 (269) 927-8171 Lisa Augustyniak (Program Sponsor Representative) (269) 621-4799 Judy Wheeler(Program Course Coordinator) County: Berrien Paramedic Approved through: 9/30/2008 Medic 1 Community Emergency Service 635 E Napier Ave PO Box 1563 Benton Harbor MI 49023 (269) 925-2144 Jack Fisher Jr. (Program Course Sponsor Representative) Nicole Hubbard (Program Course Coordinator) County: Berrien EMT-Specialist Approved through: 4/30/2009 Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service 2100 Chicago Road Niles MI 49120 (269) 684-2170 Marlene Beach (Program Sponsor Representative) Timothy Gray (Program Course Coordinator)
thenaturephotographer Posted February 25, 2011 Author Posted February 25, 2011 Lone Star, that's very true - I didn't think a lot about it from that angle. And yes, I would like to work in Michigan. I thought you can get National certification, is that true? Thanks so much for the school info, I'm checking it out right now! -John
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