level of registration

[Nate]

So then why bother with a pre-med degree if pre-professional education is so irrelevant?

Because the paramedic degree isn't going to make me any better of a doctor when I can do just as much with the certification, and I will have be taking the same classes anyways. Don't jump my butt because Texas won't allow a science class from one college to transfer to another university. If the LP would have helped me in some way then I would have gotten it, but it won't. (Other then to take two of the classes twice.)

I like you, support the idea of a four year degree plan; but that is going to make more people offering the degree and more employeers requiring the degree.

[Dustdevil]

Because the paramedic degree isn't going to make me any better of a doctor when I can do just as much with the certification, and I will have be taking the same classes anyways. Don't jump my butt because Texas won't allow a science class from one college to transfer to another university. If the LP would have helped me in some way then I would have gotten it, but it won't. (Other then to take two of the classes twice.)

That wasn't my point. I'm not accusing you of skimping on education. My point is if all those non-EMS classes don't make you a better paramedic, then why do all those non-medical classes make you a better doctor? And if they don't, why don't you have the guts to stand in front of the med school admissions board and tell them so? Just seems like you are subscribing to a double standard here.

It's like you feel med school is worth "playing the game" for, but EMS is not. And I find that attitude mildly disturbing.

[Nate]

That wasn't my point. I'm not accusing you of skimping on education. My point is if all those non-EMS classes don't make you a better paramedic, then why do all those non-medical classes make you a better doctor? And if they don't, why don't you have the guts to stand in front of the med school admissions board and tell them so? Just seems like you are subscribing to a double standard here.

It's like you feel med school is worth "playing the game" for, but EMS is not. And I find that attitude mildly disturbing.

Wow that is hard to read on the brick background. I'm saying that taking the courses to earn an AAS degree that won't get me any further in EMS isn't worth doing when I can take the same classes and get the credit I need to further my education on into medical school. The classes are needed, I just see that it is better in my case to pick the four year degree over the two year degree. With this route I have everything the state requires for the LP, but I just won't have the patch/degree which is no skin off my back. Now if I'm not mistaken I can take the classes from the university, find a college that offers the AAS degree and will let me test out of the basic class and get the LP. Dang, I never realized how f*cked up Texas was until this debate.

[Dustdevil]

I'm saying that taking the courses to earn an AAS degree that won't get me any further in EMS isn't worth doing when I can take the same classes and get the credit I need to further my education on into medical school. The classes are needed, I just see that it is better in my case to pick the four year degree over the two year degree.

Okay, so you're saying that if you weren't interested in going to med school, you wouldn't be interested in a degree at all because it is meaningless to a paramedic?

[Nate]

Okay, so you're saying that if you weren't interested in going to med school, you wouldn't be interested in a degree at all because it is meaningless to a paramedic?

Now your putting words into my mouth. If I wasn't going to medical school then I'd get the LP. But since I'm going to medical school (or at least I hope to get in) and it since I'm short on time (time is money) it doesn't make sense for me to back track for a semester of school.

[Dustdevil]

If I wasn't going to medical school then I'd get the LP.

I'm trying to understand here. I thought your whole point was that the LP licensure was worthless. If you believe that, why would you spend any time at all pursuing it?

[Nate]

I'm trying to understand here. I thought your whole point was that the LP licensure was worthless. If you believe that, why would you spend any time at all pursuing it?

Because if you only want to stop at paramedic, then LP is as high as you can go education wise. I think that is why we see so many go onto nursing and medical school; because they see that EMS in Texas doesn't pay. There are very few employeers that pay/see a difference between EMT-P and LP.

[Dustdevil]

Because if you only want to stop at paramedic, then LP is as high as you can go education wise.

Okay, then you are saying that it is worthless, but you'd do it anyhow?

[Nate]

Okay, then you are saying that it is worthless, but you'd do it anyhow?

The Texas version, yes...because I don't feel like our current requirements for LP are enough. I really feel that there should be more science and math involved and that it should carry a four year degree.

[Dustdevil]

Okay, sounds good. Was just trying to understand the theory behind your belief. I agree.

It is my understanding that this is only a first step. Actually, it is now a "second step" since they have already tightened up once from the original requirements. It just makes sense to do this sort of thing in increments. Especially since there are only so many accredited EMS programs across the state to serve so many people. But eventually, as more programs become available to more people, I see Texas working towards the so-called Kansas standard and making the AAS an entry level requirement. They're just giving people plenty of time to get used to the idea.